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’s late Sunday morning as I write this, and fall officially began a few hours ago. Okay … it’s time, and I’m planning to actually change the flags outside my house and maybe pick up a container of pumpkin coffee at Trader Joe’s later today.

We returned late last Monday night from New Mexico to a very happy Millie, who did seem to enjoy her time with Sam’s friend who house/dog sat for us and then the overnight she had with Katie, Matt, and “Champ” where she got to do lots of grazing for food dropped on the floor – something she had a chance to do at our house later last week as well. Mixed in with catching up and meetings last week (I attended the Complete Streets presentation in person on Tuesday night) was plenty of grand-parenting, that included attending “Music Together” class (so much fun, and something I really enjoyed doing with my kids when they were young) and “Touch a Truck” – the latter of which was a great event held at Whiting Lane in collaboration with the West Hartford Fire Department to support the Early Learning Center. “Vroom vroom” was the excited word of the day from the little guy at Touch a Truck.

We attended the UConn football game on Saturday night (great tailgate that I should have photographed) and – I can’t believe I am saying this – another great win. Since that was Saturday dinner, we had our weekly West Hartford dining experience on Friday night, when we headed to our new neighborhood Japanese restaurant, Wabi Sabi (135 South Main Street). I’ve been trying to sample everything on the menu, and this time we had the noodle and rice bowls which were delicious! I can’t easily share video here and the screenshot certainly doesn’t do it justice, but trust me when I say that owner/bartender Andy Mozer’s presentation of Ted’s Ginza Old Fashioned, served in a smoke-filled box, was truly remarkable.

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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:

• A sign was posted in the window of 844 Farmington Avenue, indicating that Gveenah Mediterranean Fusion Kitchen is coming soon and (thanks to a tip from an alert reader) I was able to get in touch with the owner. Last week I spoke to Roi Graber, who said he has been planning for the opening since April, when he learned the space would be vacated by the relocation of Black Bamboo (to 766 Farmington Avenue). Gveenah will truly be a fusion of Mediterranean cuisines – Italian, Greek, Turkish, Israeli, etc. – and Graber said there is truly nothing locally to which it can be compared. As an example, he said he said he plans to prepare tortellini – a traditional dish on an Italian menu – filled with a Moroccan dip rather than cheese. “I cure my own fish,” he said, and the menu will be entirely pescatarian, with dishes that include fish and dairy, but not meat. “It will be very fresh food,” he said, including salads. They will also bake their own bread, and offer breakfast. Gveenah will also be kosher because of the nature of the food being served – not “old-fashioned” kosher, he said. The space isn’t large, and Graber anticipates most of the business will be takeout, but they will have roughly 25 seats, including five or six at the bar area where people can also enjoy some snacks while waiting for their food. He is not planning to apply for a liquor license now (that might happen in the future), but said they will be BYOB and provide mixers, and Harvest is conveniently right next door. Graber is from Israel but had to evacuate last November and moved to West Hartford, where he has family (including his cousin, Guy Neumann, owner of West Hartford-based GN Construction). He liked the area, Graber said, and “I decided this was a good opportunity here.” Graber is an experienced restaurateur, and said he had to close one restaurant he owned and operated in the northern part of Israel when he evacuated. The other is still operating as an Asian fusion restaurant and bar, he said, and previously he said he owned other restaurants in Europe. “Gveenah” means “cheese” in Hebrew, and Graber said his restaurant in Israel is named “Cheese,” so “I decided to do the opposite here.” The town has already approved the plans, Graber said, and he will be getting the keys this week and hopes to open in November.

• Back in February I reported in this column that the nearly 100-year-old Elmwood Community Church was being offered for sale, for $1.1 million. That property, at 24 Newington Road, sold earlier this month for $700,000, as confirmed by the West Hartford Town Clerk’s office. Listing agents Lyle Rotondo and Paul Sciarra of Berkshire Hathaway shared the news on their social media last week. The propeprty was sold to Maranatha Christian Church of America, a Pentecostal church based in Brazil, and will remain in use as a church. The local congregation has been operating out of 1946 Park Street in Hartford, and posted on their Instagram account (@icm.hartford) on Sept. 10: “With immense joy and gratitude we announce that God has gifted us a new place of worship.” Members of the local congregation as well as volunteers from Massachusetts recently spent a day cleaning and sprucing up the the interior and exterior of the building, and the dedication service – to which the public is invited – will be held on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

• lululemon will open their new (much larger) store, on the upper level of Westfarms at center court, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. “We will have a DJ and if you purchase a lululemon water bottle, you can get it engraved in store between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.! It is on a first come first serve basis,” the store said in an email to customers. Along with the grand opening of the new store, there are a few in-store events planned, including Pilates with Leah Pfrommer on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. (sign up here), and F45 training with Ambassador Marcus Campbell on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. (sign up here). Also opening at Westfarms this fall as confirmed by spokesperson Amanda Sirica (in addition to Perfumania and MINISO) is Just Cozy, a Canadian-based women’s clothing and accessories retailer. I already love their tagline: “We are warm and cozy. We are Just Cozy” and since I hate to be cold I will definitely need to check that out when it opens.

• Frank, one of the managers at the J.Crew Factory store in Corbin’s Corner, West Hartford, shared in a message that they are excited to host a “Classics Rewind” event on Saturday, Sept. 28,, from noon to 4 p.m. Activities will include “Spin to Win,” a DJ playing 80s music, a photo booth inspired by “iconic 1983 J.Crew” (the year the company launched), a chance to customize a pouch with exclusive event patches, and cookies and other treats. “We’re one of just 16 locations nationwide hosting this special event, and we’d love to see as many people as possible come out and join the fun,” he said. More details can be found here.

• I’m attending the ribbon cutting this week so will have more details, but FYI a new business, BLK STRY Studio, is opening at 625 New Park Avenue. They are a “natural light” boutique photography studio that can be rented by those looking for a creative space for photography, as well as for small events. Husband and wife team Dimitrius and LaJune King are the owners of BLK STRY, and have relocated their family, and their business, from Texas to West Hartford. The following is from their website: “As co-owners, Dimitrius and LaJune have brought together their unique talents and vision to create a space that reflects their deep commitment to community and culture. LaJune, a celebrated photographer and personal branding expert, brings her love for authentic storytelling and her extensive experience in elevating personal brands to the table. She has spent years helping individuals, particularly people of color, see themselves in their best light – both literally and metaphorically – through her photography business, Photos by LJK. LaJune’s eye for detail and passion for capturing the essence of her clients has made her a sought-after name in the industry. Dimitrius, on the other hand, is the backbone of BLK STRY Studio. With a background in business and operations, Dimitrius ensures that the studio runs smoothly and efficiently. His strategic mindset and dedication to providing an exceptional experience for every client have been instrumental in shaping the studio’s success. While LaJune focuses on the creative aspects, Dimitrius handles the business operations, making them a perfect team.”

• Speaking of ribbon cuttings, I was bummed that the ribbon cutting for Lockton, which opened their beautiful new offices in the former New York Sports Club space in the Rutherford Building in Blue Back Square this summer, happened while I was away. In a former life and career (before I moved to Connecticut and became a journalist), I was a client executive and prior to that a broker with Marsh & McLennan (and Johnson & Higgins, which was then bought by Marsh) in Washington, DC. Many former Marsh/J&H people now work for Lockton, including one of my former co-workers (when he started he was a recent college grad that I helped orient to the business) – Bob Connolly – the CEO for Lockton Northeast! I had reconnected with Bob by email after writing about Lockton over the summer, and was sorry that I missed the chance to visit in person.

• Dollar Tree is actively working on the building out of the new store in the former Elm Theater space at 940 South Quaker Lane – which was most recently a Walgreens (from 2006 until it closed last November, as reported in the Oct. 30 Business Buzz column). I stopped by late last week, but there were just a few subcontractors there who did not have any information about when the work will be complete – or what happened to the neon “The Elm” sign that had been in the entryway, but I did get the phone number of the contractor whom I will be contacting. I was able to peek inside and take a few photos of the progress. Please note, as I have stated previously, that this is replacement of a retail use with a retail use, so other than obtaining permits for what appear to be fairly minor renovations and signage (the marquee is remaining), this is an “as of right” use for the property and there were no special permissions needed.

• The sign is now up at the future Z Bowls, which is a different concept by the same owners coming to the former Zaytoon’s Bistro space at 165 Park Road. The opening should be taking place in a few weeks, and I can’t wait to check it out.

• Confirmation has been received from reader Tony Sisti, (thank you so much!) who did field research for me. The Maui gas station and convenience store (898 Farmington Avenue) is offering free coffee through the rest of this week as part of their grand opening celebration. I’ve been waiting to visit when I needed gas for my car, and that should be the case this coming week.

 

• Click here to listen to the latest installment of the “On the Scene” podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr talk with Kristiann Vargas from Auerfarm. Podcasts can also be found at the bottom of the home page on the revamped We-Ha.com website!

 

• ICYMI, voting is now open for the 10th annual Best of West Hartford! Click here to vote – and you may vote as early and often as you like, and write-ins are welcome.
• I’ll be one of the judges at the Blue Back Burger Bash on Thursday (5-7 p..m.) in Blue Back Square, but the public can also sample and vote for their favorite burger. Complete details can be found here.
• Details have now been revealed for the Complete Streets improvements on New Park Avenue. Click here for the full story.
• Happy Hour is this week, and there will also be a viewing party for the Park Road Parade at the Park Road Restaurant Row. Read the full story 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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