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

If you are reading this on Monday, I hope you have a happy last day of summer. The autumnal equinox takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:05 p.m. EDT. Sigh …

And to those who are observing the holy day of Yom Kippur on Monday, my wishes for a meaningful holiday of reflection and renewal.

Expect to see some new bylines on the We-Ha.com site. We have welcomed a new cohort of interns through the West Hartford Public School’s School-To-Careers (STC) program. As part of that program, the “Work-Based Learning” internships, which were introduced in the spring of 2025, 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 Jacob Fukuyama and Stephen Lynch (who has already done one soccer article!) from Conard, and Katherine Levine and Giuliana Altieri from Hall!

With the somewhat cooler weather and less intense sun angle, Millie has been really beenn enjoying as much time as possible in our backyard.

We also spotted some other wildlife over the weekend – what is clearly a red-tailed hawk on the front lawn. I took the photo from a fairly good distance away (apologize for the low resolution) and then had to zoom in much more to crop it even further because while the hawk was beautiful, it’s bushy-tailed gray prey was not doing so well.

We were at a party on Saturday night (fabulous catering by Le Mazet), so had our weekly West Hartford dining on the patio of Harvest Wine Bar on Friday night. The cheddar risotto tater tots were so … good, as was my chicken and mushroom pappardelle (looking forward to the other half of that dish for a second meal) and Ted’s short rib pappardelle.

There were a lot of comments on articles this week – and I am happy to note that there were no trolls! Thank you to all who comment with your full names, and avoid making personal attacks! 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 Please comply or your comment will not be published.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 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.

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:

• It’s been more than a year since Market Hospitality Group first unveiled their plans to transform the 1930s building at 976-978 Farmington Avenue – formerly the location of CVS and Max Zeller Furs – into a mixed use development that includes two of their highly-regarded restaurant concepts (Mercato and Blu Pointe) on the ground floor plus a second story addition with five residential units, and I’ve got some great updates from Eli Hawli, co-owner of MHG with Sam DeVellis. Fresh off the opening of Mercato in Cheshire (1991 Highland Avenue in the Shops at Stone Bridge) earlier this month, Hawli is more excited than ever to finally get the West Hartford project moving. “It looks like the steel will be going up in the next few weeks,” Hawli said in a phone conversation last week. The construction has been held up while construction has been going on right in front of the building on Farmington Avenue, with the need to connect and upgrade the water, sewer, and electric service to the development, but that’s now done. In the meantime, they have also been working on the foundation footings. Hawli said he anticipates the new second story to be framed and weather-tight very soon after the steel is erected, with the construction of the five apartments taking place at the same time as the restaurants are being built out. “We hope one restaurant will be open by the end of December,” he said, with the second opening fairly soon thereafter. In Cheshire, Mercato “is off to a great start,” Hawli said, but it will still be a few months before the opening of Blu Pointe. In West Hartford, they plan to open the two concepts back-to-back. “Once the steel is up, our teams are ready to build,” he said. “Full speed ahead.” The interior work will be ready to go as soon as possible. “All the materials have been picked, the teams are ready, the furniture is ordered,” he said. And while there is already a “huge buzz” among fans of the award-winning restaurant group, and he said people are already asking to pencil in dates for events, they are not quite ready for that commitment yet. “We are beyond excited to open,” he added. The design has not changed from what was previously shared in articles, other than that the sidewalk on Farmington Avenue has changed since the renderings were created. “Farmington Avenue looks much better,” Hawli said. “There is a lot of excitement in this state for Mercato. It’s fun,” he said of the scratch kitchen concept that features “pasta, pizzas, salads, and authentic Italian dishes crafted with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients,” according to the website. “Blu Pointe will be the first in Connecticut,” he added. Blu Pointe will feature seasonal and locally-sourced steak and seafood (including sushi), complemented by a beverage program and wines similar to the Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list at the Newburgh location. “Our team is very excited, and we are, too.”

• Elite Soccer Performance has leased the former and long-vacant Hannon-Hatch Post 9929 VFW building at 83 South Street, and will be transforming it into a training facility with the goal of opening by Nov. 1. A post about Elite Soccer Performance (E.S.P.) popped up in my social media feed, and I immediately messaged to find out more and was happy to connect with owners Michelle and James Perkins. I spoke to Michelle late last week, and she said E.S.P. offers classes as well as individual training for soccer athletes. “We are not tied to any club or specific soccer group,” she said. There are a variety of classes (see sample schedule for West Hartford) for ages 18 months to 18 years, plus one-on-one coaching and other training programs for athletes looking for some extra work on a particular skill. “It’s great to be able to be a space to foster community,” Michelle said, noting that their existing location in Berlin has players who are part of a variety of clubs, including Oakwood, FSA, Valley Football, and more. She said her husband, James, has played soccer most of his life (he played and coached at Central Connecticut State University, and has coached in other organizations as well) and does much of the teaching and training for E.S.P. along with several employees, but other coaches and trainers are also welcome to use the space – including for sports other than soccer such as lacrosse, football, cheerleading, etc. The turf area will be 6,000 square feet, plus treatment rooms where they hope to have space for services such as sports psychology and physical therapy. The ceiling height is roughly 21 feet, and Michelle said they plan to “blow everything out” that divides up the space right now, including the former bar (she said the permit process will be getting underway ASAP). “It’s a great space, a great area,” Michelle said. They won’t be hosting league games, she said, but the space can be used for birthday parties and other events. More to come as the work gets underway!

• Emerest Home Care of CT has opened a new location at 127 Park Road, according to the Town of West Hartford Economic Development newsletter for September. “Their dedicated caregivers support you or a loved one maintain a fulfilling lifestyle with in-home expert care. Welcome! And thank you for choosing West Hartford as your fourth CT location (Stratford, Waterbury and New Haven),” the newsletter states. According to their website. Emerest Home Care also has locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.

• No news yet on when the “guapo-izing” of the former Kitchen Plate/Boston Market space at 1240 Farmington Avenue into El Pollo Guapo will be complete, but thanks to my husband for snapping a photo of this sign in the window while he was out and about last week. I can’t wait! And in case you missed the news when we first broke it, here’s the link to the Aug. 3 Business Buzz column.

• The Second Chance Shop, a volunteer-run social enterprise thrift shop at 175 Park Road that supports the Village for Families and Children, has expanded its hours and is now open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop hours are now Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are also accepted during the time that the shop is open.

• When I was having dinner at Harvest on Friday night, I asked if there was any opening date set for their sister restaurant next door at 60 LaSalle Road. I was told it would be just a few weeks before Blu Olive is ready to open! From my peek through the window when I took the below photo, it’s looking closer and closer to completion.

• More visible progress on the construction of the former Bank of America building at 1161 New Britain Avenue, which is being transformed into Clarivision Eyecare.

• Bert’s Pizzeria, 264 Park Road, closed its doors as a dine-in and take-out restaurant as of Aug. 20, but still will be doing catering as Bert’s Pizzeria & Mexican Cuisine beginning sometime in the near future. Details on the website indicate that available dishes will include pizza, wings, fries, garlic knots, Italian specialties, and quesabirria tacos. I’ll report the reopening of the business as soon as I get the details!

• There are lots of things happening at River Bend Bookshop in West Hartford (224 Park Road), including this week’s afternoon storytime and signing with Suzanne Lang, bestselling author of the “Grumpy Monkey” series, on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m. According to River Bend, the event is free, open to the public (and all ages) with an RSVP. Lang will read from her newest picture book, “Dragon Dog,” a fantasy adventure about friendship, courage, and the many forms fierceness, and fluffiness, can take. Following the storytime, Lang will sign copies and meet with attendees, who can also enjoy a balloon animal courtesy of Mad Hatter Balloons. Lang is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling “Grumpy Monkey” books, as well as several other titles. In addition to writing books, she writes for animation.

• Join me this week at the fourth annual Blue Back Burger Bash on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will once again transform Blue Back Square into Connecticut’s only burger bash, inviting guests to sample sliders from some of the property’s most popular restaurants while supporting a great cause. Local favorites Boqueria, World of Beer, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Coracora, Wonder, Fat Duck Tavern, and Artisan Restaurant will each grill up their signature slider creations onsite on Isham Road, in a friendly competition for the coveted People’s Choice Best Burger award. Guests can also enjoy complimentary samples from Frisbie’s, Char-cu-te-rie, Chip City Cookie, and Playa Bowls, making it an evening filled with sweet and savory bites. Celebrity judges (I am thrilled to be returning as a judge!), including event emcee Adam Rivers of iHeartRadio, will award Best Overall Burger, while attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite slider to determine the People’s Choice Best Burger winner. Every guest who casts a vote will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card to the participating restaurant of their choice. Beyond the food, Burger Bash offers a lively evening of entertainment with music, family-friendly activities, games and more, creating a fun atmosphere for guests of all ages. Proceeds from the event will benefit CT Foodshare, helping support its mission to address food insecurity throughout Connecticut. Tickets are available for advance purchase at www.bluebacksquare.com. The rain date is Friday, Sept. 25.

• Voting for the 12th Annual Best of West Hartford has wrapped and 202o Media has tallied the winners! The community showed up in record numbers to vote, and we all truly appreciate you showing up for your local favorites, organizers said in a news release. Click here for a list of winners, and please congratulate and support the winners and runners up! Organizers hope you can join us on Monday, Sept. 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Back Nine Tavern at Stanley Golf Course to not only celebrate the winners and network, but to enjoy the 3rd Annual Dancing with WeHa Stars competition! If you attend, you’ll get to vote for the winners that evening. We’re looking forward to the biggest WeHa B2B networking event of the year, with food from Back Nine Tavern, Coracora, Frida, Fleming’s, and Nothing Bundt Cakes! We hope you can make it! Tickets are available here.

• The West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan continues to move ahead, and there is definitely progress in the area between the Toy Shop and Bruegger’s. When I was walking around on Friday afternoon there were “bridges” to some of the businesses along the south side of Farmington Avenue because the concrete was still wet – including Arugula, Hartford Baking Company, and Daswani – but I am sure those sidewalks are opened up by now. They are still working in front of the former CVS building (see featured item above on Market Hospitality Group), but there has been good progress on the sidewalk and curb work in front of Sparrow, J.McLaughlin, and Bliss Matcha & Beyond. And on LaSalle Road, benches have started reappearing!

• Every few weeks I check on the progress of The Jayden, which is now quickly rising from the ground at 579 New Park Avenue where Hexagon New Park LLC, led by Elmwood natives Tommy and Jason Li, are developing 70 residential units, 14 of which will be guaranteed affordable for 30 years, on the 1.21-acre site.

• Demolition of the former St. Brigid School at 100 Mayflower Street has started. I wasn’t able to get any closer to get photos of the work that seems to be taking place on the back side of the building (I did obey the “danger” signs in the driveway), but I’ll check back during this week when the demolition may be more visible from the road. As noted last week, the dog park is closed through at least Sept. 28 while active demolition is taking place.

• Friends of Conard Baseball will be holding their 10th annual golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 9 at Rockledge Golf Club, and the nonprofit organization that has supported more than 500 student athletes for the past decade announced that Conard alum Jonathan Esposito‘s company, Atomic Mortgage, will be the totle sponsor. Over the past decade, the organization has awarded 27 scholarships to graduating seniors; funded a new facility scoreboard and annual player apparel; and uilt a sustainable foundation for West Hartford student-athletes. “When we started in 2016, no one could have predicted we would impact more than 500 student-athletes 10 years later,” said Eric Mallinson, President Emeritus. “Our mission is to build Connecticut’s best high school baseball program while creating an unforgettable experience for our players. We are thrilled to partner with Jonathan Esposito and Atomic Mortgage as we launch into our next decade.” The 10th-anniversary tournament will special-honor the Conard Baseball Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 – the inaugural groups present during the organization’s founding. Remaining tee sponsorships, corporate partnerships, and player registrations are currently open. All proceeds directly support equipment, facility upgrades, player gear, and academic scholarships. For more information about registration and/or sponsorship, contact Eric Mallinson at Eric.[email protected].

• ICYMI, Level99 provided some opening updates last week – including a schedule for a hiring fair that runs for four weeks starting next week.  Click here for all the details.
• The Chamber of Commerce will host an event on Wednesday celebrating the republishing of William Hall’s “West Hartford Connecticut” history book, first published by the Chamber in 1930. More information can be found here.
• There’s a new food pantry in West Hartford – Hartford Deaf Kitchen – on the grounds of the American School for the Deaf, providing accessible service to the Deaf community. Details from the ribbon cutting can be found here.
• 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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