A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses. 

Business Buzz is sponsored by NBT Bank, and we are very thankful for their support!

By Ronni Newton

I hope everyone enjoyed a great autumn weekend!

Thousands of local kiddos sure appeared to be having a wonderful time at the annual Moms & More Halloween Stroll on Saturday morning in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Thanks to intern Maddie Geraghty for covering the event for We-Ha.com! (Click here for the details.)

The Halloween Stroll is generally one of my favorite events to cover, but I’ve been away this weekend visiting my mother-in-law on Nantucket. Ted and I also brought his aunt, who lives at the McLean in Simsbury and rarely has a chance to see her sister-in-law, and we were also joined by Ted’s cousin and his wife, and his brother and his wife for a quick visit.

Millie came along as well and got to enjoy a beach that had few people around but tons of seagulls to chase!

Ted and I with his aunt, cousin and wife, and his brother and wife headed straight out for a beach walk on Friday afternoon.

Millie after chasing some seagulls, running through the tide pools, and rolling in the sand. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

No Saturday night dinner in West Hartford this week, but I enjoyed a great dinner last Monday night with some friends at Savoy! And a bonus poke bowl from Pokeworks that Ted picked up for me when I was babysitting for the grandkidlets late Thursday night!

A glass of red wine and dinner with friends at Savoy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Arugula salad on a pizza crust at Savoy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Foraged chicken pizza at Savoy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Fall harvest salad on a pizza crust at Savoy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

My favorite ahi tuna poke bowl from Pokeworks. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Early voting is underway at Town Hall, and the most recent update from the Secretary of the State’s Office, as of 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, indicated that West Hartford has had 1,013 early votes cast, the 10th most in Connecticut. Stratford is leading the early voting with 2,098. For more details about voting, click here.

A few notes about letters to the editor: I do fact check them, and while opinions are welcome, please don’t present information as fact that cannot be verified, or is outrightly false. Also, please note that last Monday, Oct. 20, was the last day that letters FROM political candidates will be accepted. (One letter from a candidate appeared in the Wednesday newsletter but it was submitted on the morning of Oct. 20.) Other letters pertaining to the election, including endorsements for candidates that are written by others in the community, can be submitted through Sunday, Nov. 2. After that it will be too late to be in a newsletter prior to the Nov. 4 election.

I try to include each letter to the editor as a separate post on the We-Ha.com site, but if we do start receiving a significant number of letters leading up to the election (I already have four in the queue that were received this weekend), they may need to be grouped together to allow all to be included in one of our newsletters because our MailChimp template allows at most 12 posts per newsletter and we need to save space for news stories as well.

If you are a long term, regular advertiser on We-Ha.com and have a 60 to 75 word submission for a future Business Buzz please send to Bob Carr at [email protected]. You can also contact Bob if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a section of the site.

No trolls this week! Thank you to all who do comment with your full names! Please note that it has been our policy for several years that full names be used when commenting directly on the site – with the exception of those commenters who were grandfathered when they commented prior to the policy being updated. Please comply or your comment will not be published.

If you have information to share about local businesses, please provide details in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Play area. All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• All 4 Paws Pet Care opened last Monday at 84 Custer Street in West Hartford! The business was first launched in 2020 as a mobile vet technician service – and since then has worked with more than 6,000 clients, Manager Holly Miller said. The mobile option is continuing, but the business has greatly expanded into the newly renovated building where boarding, grooming, and day care are available. “We are all extremely excited to be able to expand our services into a multifunctional pet care facility where we will be the first and only vet tech owned and operated facility of its kind in the state! We are NOT a corporate facility, rather a small family owned, vet tech owned, woman owned facility promising to take care of your pets day in and day out while providing the best possible pet care available,” states a post on the All 4 Paws Facebook page. Boarding is available for not only dogs (where accommodations include the option of an “executive” suite complete with Animal Planet on the TV), but also cats, bunnies, and exotics. They also have medical boarding for animals recovering from surgery or other procedures. Currently there are two groomers on staff, but there will be four as of mid-November, Miller said. There is an outdoor exercise area for dogs, and clients that are boarding their dogs can also have them use the day care facility. For more information, call 860-840-1880, text 860-558-7255, or visit the website.

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Zombie, who belongs to Manager Holly Miller and is nursing an injured paw, wants potential clients to know that medical boarding is one of the options available at All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Executive suite at All 4 Paws in West Hartford, complete with a TV. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All 4 Paws is now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Outside area of All 4 Paws, now open at 84 Custer Street, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• At its meeting on Tuesday night, the Town Council will receive two applications for amendments to a Special Development District in Bishops Corner that include several parcels. The application from 2558 Albany Avenue, LLC, owner of 2558 Albany Avenue, is requesting permission to demolish the existing building on the site, remove existing vegetation and regrade the property to lower it by approximately 15 feet, and the application from Bishops Plaza, LLC, is requesting modifications to landscaping, draining and grading on the western edge of the property (where Staples is located) in order to facilitate changes to the property next door at 2558 Albany Avenue and possibly add a driveway connection between the parking areas. The building currently located at 2558 Albany Avenue is a 2,558 square foot former residence constructed in 1920 that was converted to office use in 1981, but has been vacant since 2005. The application notes that despite the owner engaging multiple realtors over the past 20 years, the building presents challenges with its layout and site accessibility. The owner hired Heritage Consultants to determine the historical significance of the existing building at 2558 Albany Avenue, and determined it was not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The State Historic Preservation Office concurred, the application notes. The application also provides a preliminary conceptual design for a 6,000 square foot building with 24 parking spaces on the property – but that will be subject to another SDD application in the future. The Town Council on Tuesday plans to set a public hearing on the requested changes to the SDD to be held on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.

The Town Council will be considering an application for regrading of the Staples parking lot in Bishops Corner, and demolition of the vacant property next door. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Town Council will be considering an application for regrading of the Staples parking lot in Bishops Corner, and demolition of the property next door. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Schematic of 2558 (at left) and 2550 Albany Avenue. Town of West Hartford website image

• The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund (WHGTCF) at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving shared details of the Grant Recipient Celebration that was held on Monday, Oct. 14, at GastroPark in West Hartford. “The gathering brought together community members, past committee members, and partners to recognize eight local nonprofits awarded 2025 grants for projects that reflect community priorities and needs. Special guests included Mayor Shari Cantor and staff from the Hartford Foundation, which established the Greater Together Community Funds in 29 towns to foster participatory, community-led grantmaking. The event celebrated the power of neighbors investing in neighbors and showcased how local philanthropy strengthens the fabric of our town. Together, the eight 2025 grantees are advancing wellbeing across West Hartford – from youth arts and mental health to food access, financial stability, and inclusive recreation,” the organization announced in a news release. The 2025 grant recipients and uses of the funds included: Arts for Learning Connecticut (Express Yourself @ Charter Oak, bringing visual and performing arts learning to all 518 students at Charter Oak International Academy); CT Volunteers in Psychotherapy (150 therapy sessions for West Hartford residents, paired with 600 hours of client volunteer service to local organizations); Dignity Grows, Inc. (Hope in a Bag providing 692 reusable totes with a month’s supply of period and hygiene products for residents in need); Fern Street Food Ministry (fresh produce partnership with Country Garden Oasis and equipment upgrades to support pantry and Backpack program operations); Greystone Foundation (financial assistance and guidance to help residents address urgent needs (housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare); Seniors Job Bank, Inc. (Next Chapter Success workshops to support mature residents re-entering the workforce or transitioning to volunteer roles); West Hartford Community of Concern (third annual Teen Wellness Fair with mental health resources for middle and high school students and their caregivers, plus a student art exhibit and Photovoice workshop); and WHY Outreach, Inc. (West Hartford Yoga in the Parks, free outdoor yoga classes in partnership with West Hartford Leisure Services at Beachland, Wolcott, and Eisenhower Parks). The Greater Together Community Funds support inclusive, resident-led grantmaking in each town. The West Hartford committee – composed of local volunteers – identifies community needs, recommends grants, and helps spotlight the projects residents value most.

Mayor Shari Cantor, WHGTCF committee members, representatives from the eight nonprofit who received grants this year and Hartford Foundation for Public giving staff members. Courtesy photo

WHGTCF grant recipient celebration at GastroPark. Courtesy photo

• “We’ve brought back one of our favorite community traditions, ‘Float Karma Pay What You Can,’ but instead of just one day I’ve decided to make it an entire week,” Float41 owner Sarah Lateano said in an email. The event will run from Monday through Friday, Oct. 27-31, at both the West Hartford location in Bishops Corner (345 North Main Street) and their Cromwell location (17 Shunpike Road). “It’s a Pay What You Can event, created to offer people a moment to pause, rest, and breathe amidst everything happening in the world right now. There are no expectations, just honesty and heart. Guests book their float as usual, and when they arrive, they’ll find an envelope in their room where they can write down what feels right to contribute. Every dollar helps us continue to offer these community-based events and moments of calm for those who need them most,” said Lateano. For more information or to make a reservation, click here.

Float Forty One. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• Most of the news related to LaSalle Road lately has revolved around the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan, and below are some photos of what will ultimately be 52 new, native street trees now in the process of being installed. There are also some new businesses planning to open on the east side of LaSalle Road that have been awaiting some electrical upgrades which are in progress. Shane Mulready, CEO of RM Bradley Management Corp., confirmed that South Bay has received permits and is ramping up their work at 60 LaSalle Road for what will be a tapas bar and grill that’s part of the Siguenza family’s JS Restaurant Group, It will be a sister restaurant to Harvest, which is right next door, and will have the same managing partner team as the West Hartford Harvest – brothers Jorge Guerra and Edwin Guerra. Also, now that Tags has ended their temporary lease at 70 LaSalle Road, Insomnia Cookies will commence their build-out process.

Future South Bay at 60 LaSalle Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Future Insomnia Cookies at 70 LaSalle Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• While we’re on the subject of LaSalle Road, below find photos of the trees that were in the process of being installed last week as part of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan. The contractor told me that another delivery of trees will be arriving so look for the planting process to continue over the next week or so. “Everything’s on schedule,” Town Manager Rick Ledwith told me last week.

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on Ellsworth Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on LaSalle Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New street trees on Ellsworth Road are in the process of being installed the week of Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• There were a few questions in the past week about the Webster Bank drive-through and drive-up ATM because last week’s column noted that the alley from LaSalle Road that previously was the access has now been closed off. I checked and the drive-through is accessible from the parking lot on Arapahoe Road. There are arrows pointing to the drive-through, which was open when I checked on Wednesday.

Webster Bank drive-through in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Webster Bank drive-through is accessible through the Arapahoe Road parking lot. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Webster Bank drive-through is accessible through the Arapahoe Road parking lot. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Webster Bank drive-through is accessible through the Arapahoe Road parking lot. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Progress continues on the new Animal Control facility as well!

Progress on the Animal Control facility on Brixton Street as of Oct. 23, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• I drove around checking on other construction projects last week as well – including The Elle at the former Agudas Achim synagogue at 1244 North Main Street, and the new Wampanoag Country Club clubhouse.

Progress on construction of The Elle, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Progress on construction of The Elle, Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Progress on the Wampanoag Country Club clubhouse. Oct. 22, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• The Halloween spirit will be on full display at University of Saint Joseph’s Third Annual “Truck and Treat” on Monday, Oct. 27, 1678 Asylum Ave. From 4 to 6:30 p.m., families with young children can trick-or-treat through the Halloween-themed Madonna residence hall, where USJ students will hand out candy, and then explore West Hartford’s emergency vehicles up close while meeting local first responders. At 6:30 p..m., families are invited to enjoy an outdoor screening of “Hocus Pocus” with free hot dogs, pretzels and other refreshments. For more information, contact Dean of Student Life Brandon Dawson at 860.231. 5430 or [email protected].
• Halloween isn’t just for young kids and their families. The West Hartford Dog Park Coalition is holding its first Howl-O-Ween Costume Pawty, scheduled for Sunday, Nov 2, from 1-3 p.m. at the dog park at 100 Mayflower Street.

Courtesy image

• Congratulations to West Hartford-based YHB Investment Advisors, which on Oct. 1, 2025 was named 93rd in the CNBC Financial Advisor 100 list. This marks YHB’s third consecutive year being named to this national list. The CNBC FA 100 recognizes firms that help clients successfully navigate their financial lives. The selection process involved a rigorous methodology* assessing over 40,000 Registered Investment Advisors (RIA).

Courtesy image

• The West Hartford Public Library will host a special community program, Preparing Your Student’s Mental Health for College, on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Noah Webster Library (20 South Main Street). From a news release: “Mental health is too often overlooked as a key factor in academic success. Dr. James Geisler, a higher education professional and West Hartford native, will provide parents and high school students with insights and practical strategies to help build a strong foundation for emotional well-being and overall college readiness. With more than a decade of experience in the field of mental health, Dr. Geisler examines the national data on student mental health and emphasizes the vital role both students and parents play in fostering emotional resilience and well-being for the first-year experience. Dr. Geisler will also introduce his book, Thrive Year One: The Essential Mental Health Workbook for First-Year College Students, which equips students with tools and reflection-based activities to navigate the emotional challenges of the college transition. Copies of the book will be available for purchase during and after the event. Those who purchase a copy at the event will receive exclusive access to the new Thrive Year One: The Official Parent’s Guide, a companion resource created to help parents and caregivers support their student’s mental health and well-being throughout the college preparation and transition process.” The program is free and open to the public and is especially relevant for high school students in grades 9-12 and their parents. Click here to register.

Courtesy image

• Time to vote for Best of West Hartford! The following is a note from the organizers at 2020 Media: We listened to YOU! NEW this year… After 10 years of the Best of West Hartford, there are a few NEW things about VOTING you’ve been asking for. We think you will enjoy these enhancements to our 11th Annual Contest!” organizers of the event from 2020 Media shared: Advertise YOUR BUSINESS in YOUR CATEGORY! There is a BUTTON at the top of the ballot home page, (AD PROMOTE). This allows you to submit your own AD to be shown in your CATEGORY. Register Your Business to appear in the category! IF your business has NOT placed in the TOP 3 in the prior year then go ahead and ADD IN your business (First click AD PROMOTE, then Register). ADD a NEW Category! You can email Hillary ([email protected]) to have a NEW CATEGORY added! This is the PEOPLE’S VOTING platform so we value you being involved.” Click on the image below or go straight to the site here to cast your vote.

• Did you know …

Remember, if you have any business news to share, add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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