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

It was another week of mostly beautiful weather, and while I dread the end of summer, September is generally a great month in Connecticut.

This week I welcomed four new high school interns from the West Hartford Public School’s School-To-Careers (STC) program. As part of that program, the “Work-Based Learning” internships, which were introduced last spring, provide opportunities for hands-on exposure to a variety of careers that may include job shadowing or participating in a work-based learning internship program with a local business or organization. Look for bylines from student interns Jennifer Schlichting and Jade Werblow from Conard, and Maddie Geraghty and Hadley Smith from Hall.

The highlight of my week was Friday night, when Ted and I attended the “Altitude al Fresco” Evening with Domaine Bousquet Winery at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Held on the patio (the weather was perfect), the dinner featured a reception plus four courses, expertly paired with seven different regenerative organic wines from the Bousquet family’s vineyards in Argentina.

Guests were greeted with a glass of Domaine Bouquet Sparking Brut Rosé at the reception, where there was a charcuterie board as well as grilled chorizo topped with chimichurri. The appetizers included Pulpo a la Gallea (grilled octopus) and Smoked Empanado Mendocinas paired with Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay Grande Reserve.

I definitely knew I had to pace myself with both eating (as well as drinking wine) and when I saw the mid course of Casa Sarabella Chicken – grilled right there on the patio – I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to eat that as well as the main dish of Tomahawk Asado! I brought home some of the chicken (dinner tomorrow!) and was extremely glad I saved room for the tomahawk, and dessert! See photos below.

It was truly a magical experience, and I was lucky enough to sit next to winery ambassador Tim Wilkes so I really got the inside story not only about the wines themselves, but also about the winery’s commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture.

The only negative was that I had a planned to participate in an 11-mile run with Fleet Feet’s half marathon training group at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. I definitely don’t recommend a wine dinner (capped off by a strong coffee at 10:30 p.m.) for the night before a long run, and although I was not feeling my best when I started running I did rally, and completed the full 11 miles.

I was exhausted by Saturday night, but Ted and I, along with my sister and her boyfriend (we all had done long runs in the morning) enjoyed beer and pizza at New Park Brewing.

I did have the energy (mostly) to attend “Hike to the Mike” at Heublein Tower on Sunday. We approached from Reservoir No. 6 – which I had never done before! And although Ted led us up what was likely a deer path off the main route on our way up, we did make it to the tower, and found our way back down via the main trail.

And also, just in case readers think all we do is go out to dinner, I do actually cook sometimes! Below is a photo of the sauce I made last week with Roma tomatoes and basil grown in my garden.

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No trolls this week, and thank you to all who 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:

• While I always love writing about new restaurants (or any food-related story), I very much appreciate having the opportunity to highlight completely different types of businesses – like Parlor Upholstery. New to West Hartford, Parlor Upholstery opened this spring at 201 Dexter Avenue, where they have a small showroom and a workshop where custom furniture is created from scratch and older furniture is given new life through reupholstering. Darya Gubernat purchased the business from Michael Ciborowski, who was the “heartbeat of Oak & Velvet and Sew Fine in Middletown,” and he continues as her mentor, she said. The six employees – artisans who work in the shop – came from Oak & Velvet. They don’t create wooden furniture (like tables) but do craft custom chairs, couches, and anything else that’s covered in fabric or cushioned, and will be staring their own line of fine furniture, Gubernat said. Reupholstering doesn’t take long either! They offer pillow refilling as well as recovering, and can reupholster dining chairs within a 72-hour window – for example if they are dropped off on a Tuesday they will be ready by Friday – and can complete cushion refills in 48 hours. Much of Parlor Upholstery’s custom work is through designers, but they also have a small showroom open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We work with you every step of the way,” including sending concept drawings, Gubernat said, showing me the prototype of a chair that will ultimately be an order of 10 chairs. “We have high standards and soft seats,” she said. For more information, visit the website.

• I have not been able to connect with the owners, but have heard through multiple sources that Burger Squad is close to being completed in the former Zaytoon’s Bistro space at 165 Park Road. According to a Google search, the opening day is scheduled for Sept. 21, but town records indicate that a sign permit is still in the works so I don’t have a ton of confidence the opening will be that soon. I have tried to contact the owners through multiple avenues, but without luck. More to come as soon as I can get the details.

• The Delamar West Hartford held an event earlier this month to raise awareness for pulmonary fibrosis, and honored Malcolm Doyle, a former West Hartford resident and ambassador for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation who passed away in March 2025. The fountain in front of the Delamar was turned blue, and the event was an “evening of community, connection, and purpose,” and featured food and drink as well as live and silent auctions, lawn games, and a special “Cerulean Sage” blue cocktail crafted in honor of the cause. The drink will be available throughout the month of September at Artisan with each drink purchase in support of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

• Build-out remains underway for Paris Baguette in Corbin’s Corner, but although a sign on the door says “coming soon” and they appear to be hiring, I have not yet been able to obtain any details about an opening date. More to come!

• Congratulations to Yemerica, which opened last December at 1000 Farmington Avenue but celebrated their official grand opening with a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce and town officials on Friday. The celebration included samples of coffee, chai, and Yemeni sweets.

• Several good news updates to share regarding Westfarms, and thanks to our friends at Connecticut Scoop for many of these tips, all confirmed by Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Sirica. Updates include the opening of Kilim Design in the former Forever 21 space, Free People is moving next door and expanding into the former lululemon space (that store has relocated to a much larger space), and the sign is now up for China Wok, which will be taking over the former Au Bon Pain space on the lower level. One sad piece of news: Everything but Water has recently closed.

• I wrote a complete article last week about the construction on LaSalle Road, where as of today reclamation of the roadway is scheduled to begin as part of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan. For the next two weeks, expect LaSalle Road to be one-way only headed southbound while work takes place on the east side of the roadway. As soon as that’s complete – in roughly two weeks, depending on the weather – work will shift to the west side, and traffic will be northbound only for the next two weeks until the project is completed. Photos below are from Friday, Sept. 12.

• More progress to see on the construction of the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street. When I stopped by to take the below photos on Friday, the contractor said walls may begin rising as soon as today.

• According to a news release, on Sept. 11, 2025, high-tech company TRUMPF was inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame. The award was presented TRUMPF to in recognition of the company’s more than 100 years of innovation, advanced technology and services, and for its contributions to strengthening manufacturing in the United States and around the world. The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame, founded in 2014, recognizes leading manufacturers for their technological innovations, manufacturing excellence, and dedication to the next generation of the industry. The award was presented in a ceremony honoring TRUMPF and several other high-tech companies during the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum, a meeting of manufacturing leaders, innovators and changemakers focused on the current challenges and opportunities facing the industry. In attendance at the event, Lutz Labisch, a West Hartford resident who is president and CEO of TRUMPF Inc, the North American subsidiary of TRUMPF, a global technology and market leader machine tool and laser technology, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “TRUMPF is honored to be inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame and recognized for the innovative technology and services we have brought to North America for more than 56 years,” said Labisch. “We’re proud to be part of Connecticut’s long history and contributions to industrial manufacturing. Since the founding of our Connecticut presence in Farmington in 1969, we’ve grown into a billion-dollar business providing cutting-edge technology and services that enable U.S. manufacturers in a wide range of industries to grow and thrive. We are grateful to the Hall of Fame for their recognition and commitment to innovation and shaping the future of manufacturing.” The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame celebrates companies and individuals who have made significant, lasting contributions to manufacturing in the United States. This year’s inductees highlight the critical role of innovation, workforce development, and community impact in advancing the manufacturing sector.

• The Lillian Fund, a giving circle for women at the Jewish Community Foundation based in West Hartford, provided grants to Healing Meals Community Project in Simsbury, and Orr Shalom in Israel for programs to nurture the health and well-being of expectant and new mothers. “We are deeply honored to stand with mothers and their children – both here in Greater Hartford and in Israel – as they navigate challenging times and pursue more fulfilling futures,” said Carly Norman, Development Officer at the Jewish Community Foundation. “Through these grants, we hope to offer not just support, but a message of hope, strength and solidarity to families when they need it most.” Healing Meals Community Projectis the Lillian Fund 2025 Impact Recipient Grant, receiving a $10,000 grant for its Maternal Meals program, a vital initiative that supports the physical health and mental well-being of expectant and new mothers in the Greater Hartford area experiencing food insecurity, low income and health complications during pregnancy. Orr Shalom for Children and Youth at Risk is the Lillian Fund 2025 Impact Honoree Grant, receiving a $5,000 grant for Em Haderech, an innovative pilot program addressing the root causes of vulnerability for at-risk single mothers, aged 18–26, equipping them with the tools to build independent, stable lives. For more information about the Lillian Fund, please contact Carly Norman at [email protected].

• Click here to listen to the most recent episode of the On The Scene podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Maureen Kennedy, Senior Business Banking Officer at NBT Bank, and Andreas Kapetanopoulos, President of NBT Bank Connecticut. Together, they dive into the bank’s deep roots in the community, their support of local organizations like the Aurora Foundation, and the personal relationships that set NBT apart.

• ICYMI, property owner Lexham has announced that Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young will be relocating from Hartford to 1001 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, and they will be doing a significant upgrade to the building. Lexham, along with its partners, will soon officially celebrate a groundbreaking for the Center Park Place condominium building. Click here for the full story.
• Also ICYMI, the public art exhibit and fundraiser Bench Mark opened on Monday in Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center. Check out the artistically designed benches here – and in person!
• The Town Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing an application for the Brownfield Municipal Grant program to support remediation at 1800 Asylum Avenue. Complete details can be found here.
• Reminder that it’s time to choose the area’s top dog! While Millie is not eligible (she does get to be the poster dog for the contest), I know there are many great dogs in town! Details here.

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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