A round-up of openings, closings, and different information about West Hartford companies.
By Ronni Newton
Saturday was such an exquisite day, which adopted some good heat climate in the course of the week, and I hope folks acquired an opportunity to get exterior and luxuriate in springtime!
The grass is de facto greening up, and the daffodils are actually coming out now. My very own daffies are in bloom, however I actually like this blissful group I noticed after I was on the Elmwood Group Middle on Friday afternoon.
Daffodils at Elmwood Group Middle, March 26, 2021. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
The happiness on the Elmwood Group Middle prolonged inside as nicely, the place dozens of West Hartford-ites had the chance to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations at a closed clinic for Hillcrest space residents. The fireplace division had performed outreach – together with knocking on doorways – the earlier weekend to unfold the information in regards to the clinic, as a part of efforts to make the vaccines as accessible as doable to folks in all corners of city. Yow will discover the story about the clinic here, and browse in regards to the town’s additional efforts to expand vaccine efforts here.
On Friday I hit my 14-day mark after receiving the J&J vaccine, and now that I’m thought-about totally vaccinated I informed my household I felt like superwoman! I haven’t modified my habits, however the very public actions I’ve been concerned with all alongside really feel a lot safer.
I’m excited that everybody over the age of 16 will likely be eligible starting April 1, and hope folks will reap the benefits of the chance to get vaccinated as quickly as they will.
Saturday evening’s eating journey was at Ocho Cafe. I feel it’s the primary “repeat” on a Saturday evening since I’ve been utilizing this house to assist promote our native eating places. (Ted and I ate there again in early October, in certainly one of our first indoor eating experiences because the pandemic started, and the restaurant, which has performed an incredible job with plexiglass boundaries and different COVID mitigation methods, was additionally a spotlight in this column in December.) Our daughter, Katie, joined us for a scrumptious and really colourful meal – accompanied by margaritas!
Alambre from Ocho Cafe (thinly-sliced hen breast, braised pork, Mexican sausage, bacon, bell peppers, onion, pineapple, and mushrooms topped with melted asadero cheese) served with rice, corn tortillas, and black beans. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
Bombay Chimichanga at Ocho Cafe (full of hen, spinach, roasted corn, inexperienced peppers, caramelized onions, roasted jalopenos, carrots, and quest fresco, topped with a creamy chardonnay cilantro pecan sauce). Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
Quesarito Tacos at Ocho Cafe (beef braised in an adobo sauce with cheese stuffed in corn tortillas, topped with cilantro and onion, with consommé for dipping. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
Margarita from Ocho Cafe. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
We hope you’ve been following our Holding it within the Group characteristic, which is a collaboration with the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and the city’s Financial Improvement Division.
The highlight doesn’t seem this week, however you may click on right here to read the most recent “Keeping it in the Community” that focuses on Larsen Ace Hardware.
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Please proceed to help our native companies, and please put on your masks in case you are in public locations, and keep secure and wholesome.
If in case you have details about companies altering their operations as a consequence of COVID-19, or doing one thing value sharing, please present that data within the feedback or electronic mail Ronni Newton at [email protected].
Right here’s this week’s Buzz:
Sola Salon Studios is opening at 61 Raymond Rd. in Blue Again Sq.. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
- Sola Salon Studios may have a tender opening on Tuesday within the former Skeleton Key and Deadbolt house at 61 Raymond Rd., Blue Again Sq. Normal Supervisor Robyn Rifkin stated. The franchise enterprise, owned by companions Brian Jersey and Tom Kuczmarksi (each have possession in a number of different Connecticut areas) will characteristic 20 totally different “move-in prepared” salon studios which can be geared up with shampoo bowls, cupboards, and shelving. “We now have six which can be already leased, and we count on that may choose up one we’ve opened,” Jersey stated, noting that they count on to be totally leased by the s summer time and most of the people, in addition to stylists, are welcome to stroll by means of and take a look at the house as quickly as they’re open for enterprise. The vast majority of the areas are, and are anticipated to be, leased by hair stylists, however Jersey stated that barbers, estheticians, and make-up artists will even possible have an interest within the areas. “Any salon skilled that desires a non-public house,” he stated. Whereas enterprise typically has been down for hair stylists as a result of pandemic, the non-public one-on-one expertise in an area like Sola Salon is an setting that makes many really feel extra snug, stated Jersey. He stated they haven’t had a single case of COVID in any of their areas. “We’re tremendous excited,” he stated in regards to the opening in Blue Again Sq.. They love the comfort of the house, the accessible parking both proper within the lot or within the close by Isham Storage, and the distinguished location on Raymond Highway. For extra details about Sola Salon Studios West Hartford, go to their website.
Inside of Sola Salon Studios, opening this week at 61 Raymond Rd. Picture courtesy of Brian Jersey
Pattern studio at Sola Salon. Picture courtesy of Tom Kuczmarski
- This can be a week for some main information about retirements, and I thank Rosie DeRobertis for permitting me to interrupt the information that after an 89-year run within the Hartford space, DeRobertis Jewelers will likely be closing for good this spring. She and her husband, Gene DeRobertis, will likely be retiring, and have determined to not shut quite than promoting what has been a household enterprise since Gene’s household began it in 1932. She stated the date has been circled on the calendar for a very long time and was a part of their five-year plan. “We wish to stress that it’s not a COVID factor, and it’s not for lack of help from the West Hartford group who’ve been fabulous to us,” Rosie stated. Gene is a fourth-generation jeweler, however apart from the four-pawed selection, they haven’t any youngsters to hold on the household title of the enterprise. “We now have households who’ve shopped with us for generations. We are going to miss them most of all,” Rosie stated. “The jewellery enterprise is a cheerful enterprise. We share the blissful moments in life and have a good time the milestones,” she stated, and far of their enterprise is bridal-oriented. Gene famous that lots of the retailer’s long-time staff are additionally at retirement age, and will likely be retiring together with them. They’ve been on the present location at 52 LaSalle Rd. for 21 years, and previous to that have been in Hartford after an earlier stint on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford. The retirement sale will start Tuesday, they usually count on the final day to be Could 29.
Rosie and Gene DeRobertis stand in entrance of their retailer at 52 LaSalle Rd. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
Rosie and Gene DeRobertis searching for diamonds in Antwerp. Courtesy picture
Three generations of the DeRobertis household. Gene (left) is pictured together with his father and grandfather. Courtesy picture
- One other finish of an period is the retirement of Dr. Rick Liftig, who will likely be transitioning his sufferers to The Middle for Dental Excellence at 14 Brace Rd. in West Hartford Middle. Liftig, who has practiced dentistry in Elmwood for 41 years (10 Princeton St.), and has additionally been the president of the Elmwood Enterprise Affiliation for so long as I can bear in mind, famous that this isn’t a closing however quite a “enterprise transition.” The Middle for Dental Excellence is situated in newly-renovated workplace house, and has free parking accessible, stated Liftig (pictured beneath with the employees of The Middle for Dental Excellence). The Middle for Dental Excellence is a normal and household dental observe that additionally supplies extremely specialised take care of advanced conditions. Dr. Lawrence Christian is a classmate of Dr. Liftig’s from dental college. Dr. Bruce Nghiem acquired his prosthodontic diploma from the College of Iowa and Dr. Michael Christian is a board licensed prosthodontist together with his diploma from the College of Illinois at Chicago. Their workplace telephone quantity is 860-521-7129. Liftig joined his father’s observe in 1980. Dr. Al Liftig had been training in Elmwood since 1952. With such an extended presence in Elmwood, it was solely pure that Dr. Rick grew to become an advocate for the group. Liftig stated that he and his spouse, Kathy, “will likely be eagerly pursuing their new roles as ‘Nana and Pop’ with their grand-daughter Abby.” Though the sale of the enterprise has already taken place and Dr. Rick has formally retired, he’s nonetheless going to be concerned with the Elmwood Enterprise Affiliation as he’s joined by Aldo Carducci (of AC Automotive) who Liftig stated will likely be becoming a member of him as a co-president because the work by means of a transition and a re-constitution for the group. “Aldo and his dad began AC Automotive in 1985 so he is an ideal accomplice! Aldo may be very cognizant of the truth that Elmwood all the time must have a voice on the desk and that EBA will should be there to advocate for our space of city,” Liftig stated.
Dr. Rick Liftig (seated at proper) has transitioned his sufferers to The Middle for Dental Excellence. Courtesy picture
Cotton On KIDS is now open at Westfarms within the former Gymboree house. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
- Talking of Westfarms, the new-to-market Cotton On has already opened its youngsters retailer (pictured above, the place Gymboree was) and can quickly be opening the ladies’s and males’s retailer on the second degree (close to Middle Courtroom). Cotton On, which launched in 1988, is Australia’s largest international model, centered on cotton clothes, and with a robust dedication to moral operations.
Cotton On will likely be opening its girls’s and males’s retailer quickly on the second degree of Westfarms, close to Middle Courtroom. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
- The Hartford Business Journal reported Friday that the constructing the place the West Hartford Middle Entire Meals is situated (50 Raymond Rd.) has been listed on the market this week for $40.5 million. Entire Meals opened in 2005 and in line with the HBJ, the present lease runs by means of 2026.
Journey Dwelling Occasion Watch field. Picture credit score: Ronni Newton
- Congrats to Journey Dwelling on the large success of their digital cocktail social gathering and fundraiser Thursday evening. Ted and I’ve attended extra digital occasions than we care to rely over the previous 12 months, however this was undoubtedly the most effective organized and most enjoyable. The “Occasion Watch Field” of largely native objects was scrumptious! The marinated cauliflower and artichokes, together with the hand-crafted crackers dipped in native honey, have been my favorites, in addition to (in fact) and the fixings for The Hartford Mule cocktail, the creation of which was expertly rolled out by movie star mixologist Renee DiNino. In response to Journey Dwelling’s Sara Wilson, $126,749 was raised by means of the public sale.
Mauro Consalvi. Courtesy picture
- West Hartford-based Matik welcomes Mauro Consalvi as the latest addition to its gross sales administration workforce. Consalvi will likely be liable for North American gross sales of OLBRICH coating/laminating merchandise, the corporate stated in a information launch. “Mauro brings intensive information of coating and laminating machines,” Steve Leibin, president at Matik, stated within the launch. “His broad expertise in managing gross sales representatives and directing gross sales actions will assist us to proceed to satisfy, and exceed, our clients’ expectations. Mauro will likely be a robust asset in our group and a key contributor to our clients’ success.” Consalvi has greater than 30 years of expertise within the printing {industry}, starting from product growth and design to capital tools gross sales and gross sales administration. He has represented a number of industry-leading producers of coating and laminating machines, net viewing and net inspection. For extra details about OLBRICH options, go to Matik services at www.matik.com, name 860-232-2323 or electronic mail [email protected].
Lili St. Amand. Courtesy picture
- Congratulations to Lili “Bloom” St. Amand of West Hartford (pictured above), who’s the recipient of a Connecticut Dance Alliance Soar Begin Award, which celebrates unique work from Connecticut choreographers. In response to a information launch, St. Amand “has been instructing Hip Hop since she was sixteen! She discovered her love for Hip Hop when she was six years previous. She believes in spreading her love and information for Hip Hop by means of her instructing and is all the time keen to show the subsequent technology so Hip Hop can keep alive. Lili has participated in numerous battles. In Could 2017 Lili received World of DanceNew Jersey Head Bangerz Brawl. She was requested to return again in 2018 to evaluate the battle and preform on the World of Dance stage. She has additionally participated in Breakdancing Shakespeare at Hartford Stage, performing in Hamlet in 2015 and Romeo and Juliet in 2016. Three years later she got here again to Hartford Stage to be the assistant choreographer for A Midsummer Evening’s Dream. By the summer time of 2019 she did numerous road performances with Hartford Dwell, a program the Higher Hartford Arts Council created to convey vigorous performances to gentle the streets of Hartford with artwork. Lili continues to consistently educate herself and be on the Hip Hop scene so she will be able to keep present and provides her college students one of the best information and teachings doable.”
- Sandy Morander, president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio YMCA, was quoted in an article within the San Antonio Report concerning the inequities between coaching tools and amenities for the ladies’s and males’s NCAA basketball match. The YMCA of Higher San Antonio subsequently lent 70 items of apparatus to the Girls’s NCAA Match, together with treadmills, weight racks, rowing machines, and train balls. Morander is a 1980 graduate of Conard Excessive Faculty.
- Congratulations to Psychological Well being Connecticut (MHC), primarily based in West Hartford, which has been awarded a Platinum degree score, the very best supplied, for Psychological Well being America’s Bell Seal for Office Psychological Well being. The Bell Seal is a first-of-its-kind office psychological well being certification that acknowledges employers who attempt to create mentally wholesome workplaces for his or her staff. In 2020, MHC ramped up efforts to help Connecticut workplaces by means of our Group Schooling programming. Many companies reached out to MHC for assist to help staff combating their psychological well being as a result of disruptions from the pandemic, corresponding to social isolation, experiences of loss, lack of emotional security, and elevated stress and anxiousness. “Psychological Well being Connecticut is proud to be among the many first organizations to be licensed by MHA. Our standing as a Bell Seal-certified group demonstrates MHC’s ongoing dedication to worker psychological well being and well-being, an achievement not doable with out our employees’s dedication to our mission and values, and to one another,” stated Luis B. Perez, President & CEO of Psychological Well being Connecticut. “I’m thrilled to congratulate Psychological Well being Connecticut on receiving its Bell Seal. As a Connecticut resident and psychological well being advocate, I really feel proud every time we are able to lay declare to selling psychological well being. We’re all doing one of the best we are able to in these robust occasions. And each nice employer cares in regards to the psychological well being of its staff. I hope others – throughout all industries – will be a part of Psychological Well being Connecticut in making use of to Psychological Well being America for a Bell Seal of their very own,” stated Paul Gionfriddo, President & CEO of Psychological Well being America. For more information about Psychological Well being Connecticut go to www.mhconn.org
- ICYMI, the state Home final week voted to lengthen Gov. Ned Lamont’s govt orders for an additional month (they’re in any other case set to run out on April 20) and in addition voted unanimously to codify the order that permits municipalities to broaden outside eating by means of March 2022. Full details can be found here.
- The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce will maintain th subsequent installment in its “Colourful Conversations” collection, centered on Obstacles to Expertise, this Thursday. Click here for details.
Keep in mind, when you’ve got any enterprise information to share, add it within the feedback part beneath or electronic mail Ronni Newton at [email protected].
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