West Hartford Business Buzz: September 8, 2014

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

By Ronni Newton

I plan to be very professional in the approach to this column, but before I do that I just want to ask: Has anyone else missed this type of column? I have, and that’s why I couldn’t wait to bring it to We-Ha.com!

Brownstone Cafe in West Hartford is currently closed for renovation. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“Business Buzz” will be exactly what it sounds like – a column featuring news about West Hartford’s businesses. We know that you like to be “in the know,” and we will try to make sure that you are. This weekly column will highlight business stories you may have missed during the past week as well as any other business-related scoop we might have. Sometimes the news isn’t enough for a full story (or we haven’t been able to get all the details yet), but it may still be newsworthy so you’ll find it here.

This column needs your input, too! If you have tips about businesses opening or closing, or doing something worth sharing, please provide that information in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

• West Hartford businesses have been trying innovative approaches to raise funds. Sedgwick Cleaners owner Dana Gordon used a Kickstarter project entitled “Pressing the Perfect Shirt,” to raise capital for new equipment, and we’re happy to announce that the project was successful and Gordon will get the funding. A Little Something Bakery is also trying to gain financial support through a gofundme campaign. The Park Road bakery announced on Facebook that it is trying to raise money for a needed move to a new location.
• Sad news from Hearty Kitchen. We reported in July that the Park Road restaurant had “closed indefinitely.” Then in early August we reported that the eatery had re-opened with a somewhat different format and new hours. On Sept. 5, Hearty Kitchen posted on its Facebook page that it has closed for good, citing an “overwhelming family situation.”
• One more piece of news from the Park Road area, and we hope this one will have a happy ending someday soon. Brownstone Cafe on Oakwood Avenue closed for renovations after dinner on August 23, according to its Facebook page. The post indicates that Brownstone is merging with another restaurant and will reopen sometime in September with a “new concept to better serve our guests.” A visit confirmed that the windows are currently papered over, but so far we haven’t been able to reach someone who can provide details. Anyone have more information?
• One more closing to announce: The Ann Taylor store in Blue Back Square will close on Sept. 28.
• How about something positive? The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, under the able direction of new Executive Director Barbara Lerner, will host its 28th Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 22 at Hartford Golf Club. Tee times are still available for the organization’s major fundraiser, and new this year is the option to attend only the dinner which is doubling as one of the chamber’s “Business After Hours” events. Look for the rest of the details in an article later this week.
• Bonus positive information: In case you missed it because you weren’t reading We-Ha.com yet, here are links to a few of the stories we wrote this summer about business openings and expansions: J.McLaughlin Opens West Hartford Store; Kimberly Gift Opens in West Hartford Center; and Bishops Corner Farmers Market to Open Saturday.

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