A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses.
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By Ronni Newton
It’s officially meteorological spring – although it may not have felt very springlike on Sunday in West Hartford it does look like this cold snap is going to be short-lived.
I’ve actually spent the past few days in summer weather, and I’m writing this on Sunday night from our B&B in Lake Worth, Florida (just south of West Palm Beach) where it’s been in the 70s and 80s, but knowing that tomorrow will bring a return to reality when I’m back in West Hartford.
We’ve been staying in this charming bed and breakfast in Lake Worth that we discovered a few years ago when coming to visit my dad, who at the time was living in a nursing home in nearby Boynton Beach. We usually visited around this time of year, and had already planned a trip for last year, but then my dad passed away and we were here for his funeral. I’m always desperate for a break from the cold, and we decided to continue our annual trip to this area. We visited with my stepmother, went with her to see my dad’s grave at the South Florida VA Cemetery in Lake Worth, and spent a few glorious days among the palm trees, walking to the beach and to dinner, and eating virtually all of our meals outside. Sam and Kate joined us for most of the trip as well, and it was great to spend the time with them!
I got a bit of downtime – although it wasn’t exactly quiet in West Hartford while I was away, with two big arrests and a fire (that was related to one of the arrests. One of the mornings, when I was doing some work outside before breakfast, Bobby the resident (and super friendly) cat decided to curl up on my laptop when I put it on the ground.
Bobby, the resident cat at the Mango Inn. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A few highlights of our trip, and some of the most colorful food photos from the variety of cuisines we sampled – Asian fusion, Mediterranean, Peruvian. And, check out the lizard in the tree in the last photo. I saw it right after writing a story about the iguana that was found wandering around a West Hartford street!
It was great to have Sam and Kate join us in Florida!
Sushi appetizer at Hachi Asian Cuisine and Grill in Lake Worth, FL. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Pad See-Iew at Hachi Asian Cuisine and Grill in Lake Worth, FL. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Lomo Saltado at Victoria’s Peruvian Cuisine in Lake Worth, FL. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Lizard in a tree in front of the Lake Worth Town Hall Annex. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Thank you to those who posted comments this week on stories using their full names! I think there was only one person who attempted using a pseudonym.
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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:
Interior of Park Lane Pizza. Photo courtesy of Ally Rocha
- The news that so many in West Hartford have been waiting for: Park Lane Pizza is reopening this week! Over the weekend I spoke with Bobby Vavaroutsos, who is one of the owners, and he said the town had completed its final inspection on Friday, and although there were a few punch-list electrical issues to be taken care of, an electrician was working on them Saturday and he was confident there would be a final sign-off today and very, very hopeful for a Tuesday opening! “We have our supplies, the food is already here,” Bobby said, and the health department has given their approval for food prep to begin. Check back later today if you’re reading this first thing in the morning because I will update it after hearing from Bobby – and look for a “Yes, We’re Open” sign to go up at Park Lane, hopefully on Tuesday, but at the latest on Wednesday. Park Lane Pizza (337 Park Road) has been closed for well over a year, since a storm that resulted in damage and a ceiling collapse on Jan. 16, 2024. Once you open up the ceiling and begin renovation work, a space is no longer grandfathered but rather is subject to all updated code requirements, and the 337 Park Road building where Park Lane Pizza is located was built in 1921, so it’s now more than a century old and there were many upgrades required. More than $15,000 was raised through a GoFundMe campaign, and the Vavaroutsos family is very thankful for the community support. “We appreciate all the donations, and all the support we have gotten from friends and customers. We miss them as much as they miss us,” the family told me when I met with them a few weeks ago. They are still working to replace the sign on the South Quaker Lane side of the building, but there will be a temporary fix that will look better sometime this week, and that work won’t affect the opening. Park Lane will open daily at 11 a.m., serving lunch and dinner. They plan to stay open daily until 9 p.m. with a 10 p.m. closing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mural of Greece on the wall inside Park Lane Pizza, 337 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Jukebox inside Park Lane Pizza, 337 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Interior of Park Lane Pizza. Photo courtesy of Ally Rocha
- I’ve been trying to confirm some positive information about leasing activity at Blue Back Square, and quell some rumors as well, and still hope to officially provide some specific details soon. In the meantime, the following is the statement from Image Marketing founder and President Kate Terricciano, the spokesperson for Blue Back Square’s owners: “While we can’t comment on the specific lease terms of our many tenants, we can confirm that Blue Back Square has been, and will continue to be committed to enriching the local experience and expanding our offerings for the West Hartford community. We continue to support our existing businesses as well as attract a wide variety of new tenants.”
Blue Back Square, looking north on Isham Road. Crate & Barrel is one of the original tenants. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- Liz Teare, who lived in West Hartford for 20 years until recently moving to Hartford, and still works as a real estate agent for the William Raveis Real Estate office on LaSalle Road in town, is excited to announce the opening of her new gift shop and art gallery in Hartford. GIFTS + ART on Trumbull will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place at 100 Trumbull Street, and members of the local community are welcome to attend. According to Teare, GIFTS + ART on Trumbull offers an array of quality gifts for all ages and occasions, original and print art, as well as gift wrapping. They are hoping to bring back the joy of in-person shopping while also providing a gallery for local and regional artists to sell their work. “We are excited to officially open our doors and introduce GIFTS + ART on Trumbull to the community,” said Teare. “The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of our new venture, and we look forward to welcoming you in person.” For more information and special events, please follow them on Instagram @gifts.plus.art.on.trumbull. Following the ceremony, the shop will be open until 2 p.m. with a special ribbon-cutting promotion of 10% off storewide, excluding artwork. Their popular neighbor, Salute, will also be offering attendees a 20% discount on meals following the ceremony. GIFTS + ART on Trumbull’s regular business hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
GIFTS + ART on Trumbull. Courtesy of Liz Teare
- A few updates about Westfarms: GoVita Shot has opened in the former Lululemon space on the upper level of the Nordstrom wing, Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Sirica confirmed. According to their website, “At GoVitaShot we are dedicated to health and well-being. We offer preventative vitamin therapy for people of all ages. We understand health issues and deficiencies can be confusing and life is busy. We work with you to answer any questions you have. Our belief is that healthy habits start early, we will offer you helpful advice, tools and tips to ensure you stay well. All our physicians, microbiologists, and nurses are board-certified and licensed.” Thanks to Jean-Luc Dube with the Connecticut Scoop for the GoVita Shot photo, and also for the photo of the barrier that’s up for Windsor, a women’s clothing retailer opening in the former Hallmark store space (lower level, Nordstrom wing) that also, according to its website, sells bridal attire and other formal wear. And while Surf City Squeeze has closed, the space will not be vacant for long.
Photo credit: Jean-Luc Dube
Photo credit: Jean-Luc Dube
- There’s a “For Lease” sign in the window of Play It Again Sports at 15 South Main Street, but the store will not be closing, but rather moving this summer and staying in West Hartford according to a post on their Facebook page. I’ll provide additional details as they become available.
Play It Again Sports. 15 South Main Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- I stopped by last week to check on the progress of the Starbucks in front of the Corporate Center West building on South Main Street (between I-84 and New Britain Avenue), and workers were hanging up the sign above the drive-through. I can’t officially confirm it, but I heard it could open by the end of this week!
Future Starbucks with drive-through at Corporate Center West (South Main and New Britain Avenue). Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Future Starbucks with drive-through at Corporate Center West (South Main and New Britain Avenue). Photo credit: Ronni Newton
- Rita’s on New Britain Avenue in Elmwood (1134 New Britain Avenue) is back open for the season – always a sure sign of spring for me!
Rita’s is back open for the season at 1134 New Britain Avenue. Facebook photo
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- ICYMI, last week the Town Council approved the application by West Hartford 1 LLC for the development of Heritage Park, the final piece of the former UConn West Hartford campus. Complete details can be found here.
- Also last week, the Town Council held a lengthy public hearing on an application by Vessel Technologies for rezoning and creation of a Special Development District at 29 Highland Street – the former Hughes Health & Rehabilitation property – in order to construction two four-story residential buildings. They will vote on the proposed development on March 11. 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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