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
One winter month down, and one to go since I consider March to be the first spring month.
It’s supposed to snow a few inches overnight Sunday into Monday, and the town issued a parking ban as of 5 p.m. Sunday. By Monday morning, hopefully, the roads will be clear and I am glad that the temperatures are supposed to reach the 40s on Monday.
I know that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, but the other prognosticators I follow (Chuckles at the Lutz Children’s Museum and Nantucket’s Quentin the Quahog) predict an early spring, so I’m going with their forecasts.
It’s been an exciting few days for my family as Ted and I became grandparents for the second time! Our daughter Katie and her husband Matt welcomed their baby daughter on Thursday, and all are healthy and getting adjusted to some new routines. “Girly” is definitely calmer and sleeps much more than her big brother did in the first few days!
Ronni and Ted with their new grandchild.
Also exciting – on Sunday we went with our son Sam and his fiancée Kate to a wedding showcase at St. Clements Castle, where they will be getting married in the summer of 2026.
And it was also a great sports weekend for our teams! On Friday night Ted and I, along with my sister and her boyfriend, went to the UConn women’s hockey game at the new Toscano Family Ice Forum on the Storrs campus. What a beautiful facility and a great win over Merrimack.
Toscano Family Ice Forum. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Food/drink photos from Friday night include the array of UConn beers offered at the rink, and the red potato and taco pizzas from Willington Pizza that we enjoyed after the game.
UConn-themed beers at Toscano Family Forum. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Taco pizza at Willington Pizza. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Red potato pizza at Willington Pizza. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
On Saturday, after watching (on TV) our Duke Blue Devils soundly defeat UNC, we watched part of the UConn men’s basketball game at home and headed to Beachland Tavern for the second half. It was a great win, and a yummy dinner of New Yorker and Cuban sandwiches.
Beers at Beachland Tavern. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
New Yorker sandwich at Beachland Tavern. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Cuban sandwich at Beachland Tavern. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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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:
Specialty cocktails at Vinted. Photo credit: Debbi Zimbler
- When Vinted (63 Memorial Road) closed on New Year’s Eve, and posted a sign on the door and on social media that said it was temporary, many in the community were a bit skeptical. I spoke to Managing Partner and Executive Chef Mike Voight and had an update in this column two weeks ago, explaining the problem was with a sensor in the ductwork that was setting off the fire alarm – but some people were still skeptical. “This was to guarantee the safety of our staff and guests as well as to prevent future fire alarms from taking up valuable fire department resources. When a fire alarm goes off in our restaurant it affects the entire building in Blue Back Square, including Hartford [HealthCare]. Our first priority is always safety,” Voight said two weeks ago, noting that there was a delay getting the parts, and then a delay with the company that was installing the part. I was very happy to get the official news on Wednesday about the reopening planned for Thursday, also confirmed by the following post on their Facebook page: “It’s #official! Not only are we Back and ready to welcome you! We have a New cocktail menu and Fresh new food items! REMEMBER ! Don’t forget happy hour starts at 3 Tuesday.” According to Vinted’s website, they’re open for dinner Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 3-10 p.m. Happy Hour is from 3-6 p.m.
Sampling of dishes at Vinted. Website photo
- The former Silk Nails at 1234 Farmington Avenue in Sunset Triangle is now called WeHa Nails, and is owned by Peter Song, who also owns Charming Nails at 312 Park Road. According to a post by Song on Facebook, the interior has been renovated and includes new manicure tables and pedicure chairs. They are open seven days a week, and offer manicures, pedicures, gel fill, dip powder, gel manicures, and wax, but not acrylics. For more information, call 860-521-0238.
The former Silk Nails on Farmington Avenue in Sunset Triangle is now called WeHa Nails and is under new ownership. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- I was personally skeptical when I stopped by the Dunkin’ on South Main Street across from Town Hall (41 South Main Street) on Thursday to take a photo of the renovation in progress and was told it would be back open on Saturday. “Six days” was the turnaround time quoted by the contractor. Indeed they were correct!
Dunkin’ at 41 South Main Street was closed for the week for renovation. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dunkin’ at 41 South Main Street reopened after. 6-day interior renovation. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- While this project is taking much more than 6 days, there is more visible progress on the Starbucks (with drive-through) that will be opening at Corporate Center West. The signs are up!
Signs are up on the future Starbucks at Corporate Center West. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Signs are up on the future Starbucks at Corporate Center West. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- Congratulations to Salt + Lime (179 Park Road), which was featured in this column two weeks ago, on their official grand reopening, celebrated with a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce and town officials on Thursday, Jan. 30. They hosted a buffet lunch for those who attended the ribbon cutting as well.
The Chamber of Commerce and town officials joined Salt + Lime owners Roy Adusumilli and Vish Meka for a grand reopening ribbon cutting on Jan. 30, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Salt + Lime’s owners served a buffet of some of their menu items at the grand reopening ribbon cutting on Jan. 30, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Flan served at the celebration of Salt + Lime’s reopening. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- Now on stage at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford is the 20th and final production by resident dance company stop/time Dance Theater. “Our Show: The Stop/Time Story will be performed through Feb. 9. Details can be found here.
Original stop/time Dance Theater group. Courtesy photo
Current stop/time Dance Theater group. Courtesy photo
- Friends of Feeney Inc., a nonprofit organization based in West Hartford, is pleased to announce the launch of their new website, www.friendsoffeeney.com. The site, developed by Allie Bellucci of Bellu Jean Creative, seeks to tell the organization’s story and connect community members with opportunities to support their efforts. “Our consistent growth necessitated an upgrade,” said President Eric Feeney. “This modern and engaging site will help us reach our target audience and reinforce our commitment to supporting local families in need,” he said. “This site achieves our strategic goals of enhanced storytelling and ease of navigation, all while laying the groundwork for future improvements,” said Director Matt Heller. “We thank Bellu Jean Creative for helping make our vision a reality and we hope this prompts our fellow community members to get involved and support charitable initiatives.” Allie Bellucci is the owner of Bellu Jean Creative, a West Hartford-based company specializing in graphic design, photography and social media management. Passionate about storytelling and community connection, Allie is proud to support Friends of Feeney’s mission to “Be A Good Friend” through thoughtful and impactful design. “I’m honored to help bring awareness to Friends of Feeney’s incredible work,” Bellucci said. “Designing for a mission rooted in kindness and community is truly inspiring.”
Courtesy image
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After a highly successful holiday season, Bare Life, the innovative plant-based and allergen-friendly West Hartford-based hot cocoa company founded by Ali Lazowski is poised for significant growth and exciting developments in the new year, having achieved numerous milestones this past year. The company announced in a news release that they recently achieved a remarkable milestone of over 600,000 mugs of hot cocoa sold, demonstrating strong consumer demand for its health-conscious alternatives. This comes among numerous 2024 highlights, setting a strong foundation for continued growth, including expanding to 300-plus retail locations nationwide.For more information about Bare Life and its products, visit www.eatbarelife.com or follow @eatbarelife on social media.
Bare Life is sold in 10-serving pouches as well as individual packets. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
- Also in hot chocolate news, February is hot chocolate month – which West Hartford-based Hartford Baking Company celebrates each year by featuring a different flavor each week at all four locations (965 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford; through Feb. 6 : Milk Chocolate; Feb. 7-13: Salted Caramel; Feb. 14-20: Triple Chocolate; Feb. 21-28: Unicorn (white chocolate). Owner Scott Kluger added that “marshmallow lovers can also enjoy house made marshmallows all month long to add to our rich hot chocolate.”
Courtesy of Hartford Baking Company
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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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