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

How the heck did it get to be the last day of September already? I have acquired some mums and pumpkin products (Trader Joe’s has been sold out of their coffee the few times I have checked but I did by muffin mix, pasta sauce, and salsa), but I am still not quite ready to let summer go.

We tailgated before the UConn game on Saturday (what a great win – and c’mom students, show up!) and I was very glad for the summery weather. Duke beat Carolina 21-20 – an incredible comeback win after being behind 20-0 into the third quarter – on the centennial weekend. It was definitely a great college football weekend for my teams.

I was a “celebrity” judge at the Blue Back Burger Bash which was held Friday night after being rained out on Thursday, and Friday’s weather ended up being perfect, there was a great crowd, and the event raised more than $4,000 for CT Foodshare. Coracora, which is currently building out their new space in the former Rosa Mexicano spot, brought their llama to the event, and I *had* to take a selfie.

This is certainly a busy time of year, and because I am still catching up from being out of town for a few days there definitely weren’t enough hours in the days last week to get everything done that was on my calendar – even with giving up quite a few hours of sleep. Among last week’s activities that I was able to do: on Monday I “sauna-ed” (didn’t know that was a verb until last week) and look for the story soon about West Hartford’s new beem Light Sauna spot. I also visited Nero Kitchen on their opening day and enjoyed a breakfast sandwich as a late lunch.

I combined work and exercise early on Saturday morning when I ran to Matt Warshauer’s house, stopped to take the photos of his display, and then ran home (just 3.8 miles total). I enjoy our annual conversation about his display (I do speak to him about other topics throughout the year) and interviewed him over the weekend for the story you can find here.

On Saturday night, after watching lots of great college football, Ted and I went to Zephyr’s for dinner and finally lucked into weather where we could sit on the patio. We sampled a few of their street pizzas, which were fantastic – and a few others that I definitely need to try. I didn’t realize until I saw a post on social media on Sunday that it was Zephyr’s third anniversary of their opening in the Brace Road lot (968R Farmington Avenue). Congrats to Dante Cistulli on three years – and of course for the 8.1!

My proudest moment last week was completely unexpected. I was so honored when I was surprised – trulty surprised and shocked – with a proclamation on Tuesday night by the Town Council in honor of We-Ha.com’s 10th anniversary. This can be a thankless job, and acknowledgement and appreciation is so very welcome. I am humbled, and thankful, for the recognition, and for the contributions of our team and all who have made the past 10 years a success.

Finally, I just had to share this photo of Millie. She kept staring at me through the window while I was working on Sunday. When I tried to let her inside (several times), she didn’t want to come in, but she came back to stare through the window a few times.

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].

If you’re looking for news about West Hartford in print please note that many stories from We-Ha.com, as well as other local news, is published in the twice-monthly issues of the West Hartford Press.

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:

• The restaurant space on the second floor of 45 Raymond Road will soon have a new occupant – that sounds like a fabulous use for the location! Xiomara Zamudio, who along with her husband and several other partners owns El Santo on Farmington Avenue, will be opening León Restaurant & Bar in the space recently vacated by Birdie Lounge by Rooster Company. “We are a group with personality, character, and elegance,” she said of León Restaurant & Bar Group, the ownership group for this new business. “León is being creating with the purpose of bringing a Mexican modern concept [to West Hartford]. Our philosophy is to provide the best quality, unique, and unforgettable experience for each customer. Our cuisine will be based in a variety of dishes and flavors, 100% Mexican,” she said. And along with the food, there will also be “an exquisite and elaborate craft bar menu focused mainly on mixology with natural and fresh extracts like cactus, aloe, tamarind, tuna, Mexican herbs, and more. Our goal is to have the best variety of tequilas and mezcals,” she said, but will also introduce Mexican gins and whiskeys. It will be a sophisticated concept, intended to attract those age 30-plus who will embrace the nice dress code, and are interested in listening to DJ music, but played at a volume where you can sit in the bar and talk. “My husband and I were in love with this restaurant as soon as we entered. We spent two weeks in Mexico City back in July. We visited many restaurants and bars –amazing concepts – and this building reminded us of the City a lot,” Zamudio said. The space was renovated before Birdie opened not quite a year ago, and is in good shape and doesn’t require much updating, Zamudio said. Permit applications have been filed, and she hopes to have León Restaurant & Bar open by the second or third week of November. “Every restaurant project is a challenge for us but always having in mind that happiness is a purpose,” she said, and that’s the goal for León Restaurant & Bar.

• This is one of those items where the photos are really going to tell the story – and it’s a great story about an event that will provide more than 8,000 meals to state residents who are hungry or food insecure. As noted in the intro, I was honored to be one of the “celebrity” judges at the Blue Back Burger Bash for the second year in a row, and the even was a great success – despite, or maybe because of being postponed from Thursday to Friday due to the weather. There were about 850 tickets sold in advance, and more than 1,000 attending, according to CT Foodshare President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, who was also a judge. The burger created by Fleming’s was the peoples’ choice winner and was also chosen by the judges, but they were all quite yummy and I definitely had to pace myself since I was “required” to eat six burgers! The fundraising results were still being finalized, but Jakubowski said every dollar raised translates into two meals, and even before the event ended more than $4,000 had been raised. Photos of some of the burgers are directly below, and some more can be found at the end of the column.

• While in Blue Back Square on Friday, and while sampling Coracora‘s burger creation (which they said would be on the menu!), I got a peek at the renovations that are well underway at the former Rosa Mexicano space on Isham Road. A representative from Coracora said they hope to open in December. There are new wraps on the windows – and I love the llama image on the main door!

• I mentioned in last week’s column that BLK STRY Studio was having a ribbon cutting for their new business at 625 New Park Avenue, and I attended that event on Wednesday and it was great to meet owners LaJune King and her husband, Dimitruis King, and their children Drew (13, eighth grade) and Livia (6, first grade). BLK STRY (pronounced “black story) is 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. LaJune told me that they relocated to West Hartford in June from Frisco, Texas when her husband got a job transfer with The Hartford, and moved the business they had started in Texas. She’s a photographer herself, and knows how important it is to have the right kind of space for photography, videography, content creation, and other projects undertaken by influencers. “Families have already booked the space for personal branding,” she said, and it’s ready with a fall set-up or holiday photos as well. “Natural light is here,” LaJune said of the front area of the space, while the back room has a backdrop as well as other vignettes set up where photographers will want to use a flash. There’s also a kids’ corner, to provide any necessary distraction during a photo shoot. The owners received a great congratulations, and welcome to West Hartford from the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s Economic Development Department. For more information, visit their website.

• Congratulations to the West Hartford restaurants that are finalists in the 2024 CRAZIES awards! “Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry are a key driver of our state economy, and the CRAZIES awards are designed to tell the stories of the many individuals who make Connecticut one of the most diverse and impressive culinary landscapes in the world,” said Connecticut Restaurant Association President & CEO Scott Dolch in a news release. West Hartford’s Le Mazet is a finalist for “Restaurant Newcomer,” and three of the four finalists for Hartford County Restaurant of the Year are from West Hartford, and include Restaurant Bricco, Union Kitchen, and Zohara. In addition, the 2024 Restaurateurs of the Year, who will be honored at the CRAZIES in December, were announced as Eli Hawli & Sam DeVellis of Market Hospitality Group – which owns 10 restaurants in Connecticut now, with more on the way, including in West Hartford. Market Hospitality Group just bought the building at 978 Farmington Avenue last week, and will be turning it into an “upscale restaurant” which has not yet been announced. “Congratulations to our 2024 award honorees and finalists, plus a special thank you to the efforts of our nominating panel who provided incredible insight throughout the process.” The public can now vote by CLICKING HERE through the end of November for each category: Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Server of the Year, Caterer of the Year, Vendor of the Year, People’s Choice, Restaurant Newcomer, County Restaurants of the Year and Overall Restaurant of the Year. Winners will be selected from not only the public vote, but also from our nominating panel members.

• O’Reilly Auto Parts is now open in the PriceRite Plaza at 977 New Britain Avenue. It opened three weeks ago, according to an employee who wondered why I was taking a photo from the parking lot!

• There’s a weekend pop-up thrift shop called Tags that’s been operating out of the vacant storefront at 70 LaSalle Road (former Exclusive Furs space) for the past two weekends. They are open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with new inventory each week, they told me in response to a request for additional information that I made through their Instagram account (@tags.thrift). Tags is “an eclectic mix of designer/vintage /active wear/in-fashion clothing and accessories,” they said, and will continue to pop-up in the space while it remans between leases.

• I’ve gotten a few questions about what is going on with the building at 970 New Britain Avenue, right near the Hartford line, where there was formerly a Dunkin that closed quite some time ago. It’s visibly under construction now, and according to online town records, the building is being divided with a portion being renovated for a new Dunkin with a drive-through, and the rest to be left vacant.

• West Hartford-based YHB Investment Advisors, Inc. in a news release shared that they are excited to announce that Anne Space, CFA, has been promoted and assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. This promotion highlights Anne’s exceptional achievements and steadfast dedication to the company. Over the past two decades, YHB has expanded to attract top talent and exceptional resources. About eight years ago, the need for future leaders was identified. Following an exhaustive search, Anne was discovered as an individual with the expertise to shape our future. Anne Space has been an integral part of the leadership team at YHB Investment Advisors. She joined YHB as a Senior Portfolio Manager in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as Director of Asset Management at UBS Real Estate & Private Markets, where she managed over $800 million in U.S.-based investments across various real estate equity and debt funds. Throughout her tenure at YHB, Anne has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision to help shape the company’s strategy, productivity, and innovation. “We are pleased that Anne has demonstrated great talent in all aspects of portfolio management, client service, and taking on increasing responsibilities in the management of the firm since she joined us over six years ago,” stated Mark Everette, Chairman. “She consistently exhibits good judgment in her thinking and decisions. We are fully confident she will be an excellent leader for the firm’s future.” As CEO, Anne will rely on her extensive experience and proven track record to guide YHB into its next phase of growth and innovation. Together with Anne’s appointment, YHB is happy to announce that Byron Nilsson has been promoted to Senior Portfolio Manager, Jared Madden to Portfolio Manager, and Max Eichner to Assistant Portfolio Manager. The YHB team is delighted to celebrate the growth and considerable contributions of its members in serving the firm’s clients.

• Congratulations to John Green of West Hartford, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green, who (according to a Facebook post that I saw), will receive the prestigious 2025 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement next March!  “It is our honor to be able to present the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement to John A. Green. John has been a critical part of the success of GEM Awards, having served as Chair for GEM Awards and as Board Chair for Jewelers of America. We are grateful for all that John does for our industry and look forward to acknowledging his service with this important award,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte.

• Last Monday, a West Hartford resident who is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (BBBS of CT) was a featured speaker at the biggest golf event the youth mentoring organization has ever done in Fairfield County. The Mentor’s Classic at the Patterson Club raised $158,000 in total revenue and $118,000 in net revenue to support at-risk youth and their mentors, according to a news release. Big Brother Paul Philpott, an aerospace engineer from West Hartford, is a mentor to 16-year-old Little Brother Alejandro of Farmington. They were guest speakers at the Mentor’s Classic, which brought in 80 golfers throughout North America. Since BBBS of CT paired Philpott with his Little Brother in December of 2018, he provided support and guidance to Alejandro as a mentor and friend. “Since we’ve been paired, it’s been a really amazing experience to see him grow, become passionate about different endeavors, and just take on the world,” Philpott said. “Over these past six years, we’ve been meeting about once or twice every month. We always go on fun adventures, whether it’s a walk in the park or playing tennis or basketball.” Alejandro is a junior at Farmington High School and recently started his first job at a meat department. He learned tips about interacting with others from Philpott. “That’s just one of the awesome things that this organization allows us to do,” Philpott said of BBBS of CT. “It helps him grow and find what he’s passionate about, whether it’s singing or graphic design, getting him excited about college, or helping him get his first job. It’s amazing to hear the stories and we just have a great time.” The pair has enjoyed outings to the New England Air Museum, air shows, and sporting games. Philpott took Alejandro skiing for the first time this past year. “The amazing people, support staff, and match specialists provided me with help and guidance that I was able to share with Alejandro,” Philpott said. “It makes this a really impactful organization.” Alejandro said of Philpott, “I hope to keep spending time with him. It’s great being with people who become closer and like part of your family when you’re missing someone. It’s awesome to have someone by your side to support you and lead you through your life.” To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, visit  their website. To donate, click here.
• I’ve gotten a couple of messages about Salsa Fresca in Bishops Corner (345 North Main Street) being closed. Apparently they closed on Sept. 11 and it was supposed to be for 10 days but they are still closed. I’ve tried calling over the past few days and there is no answer, and while the West Hartford location still appears on their website, online orders are directed to another location. I stopped by on Sunday and the chairs are up on the tables and a sign on the door says they are “temporarily closed for building repairs” and will reopen as quickly as possible. I haven’t been able to obtain further details. Anyone know?

• The Valero Supreme Gas station at 141 Park Road appears to be closed, although it still appears as a location on the company website. The pumps were shut down and the convenience store was completely empty of merchandise when I checked on Sunday afternoon in response to a tip from a reader earlier in the week.

• ICYMI, there were several major business news stories published last week, including the announcement about the final plans for the West Hartford Town Center Infrastructure Plan. Click here for the details.
• As noted in the intro above, 978 Farmington Avenue, where CVS was formerly located and where Max Zeller Furs is still located, was sold last week to Market Hospitality Group for $5.25 million. I’m still hoping to get more details soon, but the complete story with as much as well know now can be found here.
• Nero Kitchen is now open at 13 South Main Street, and I had a chance to sit down with the owner on opening day last week. Click here for the full story.

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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