West Hartford Business Buzz: March 27, 2023

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

A phrase many of my friends (especially college friends) probably never thought I would say: "Go Huskies!" I’m sad about the UConn women's basketball loss on Saturday, but Saturday night's win by the UConn men's team was fantastic and I am excited as they head to the Final Four!

It didn't feel much like springtime on Saturday, but Sunday was beautiful and a great morning for running or walking (or in my case photographing) Johnny's Jog. You can read all about it and see the photos here.

Millie got her spring haircut on Friday, so the weather had better stay relatively warm. It's always shocking to see how little dog is under all that fur, and I definitely look forward to her getting a little bit fuzzier over the next few weeks and months!

Millie got a haircut! Photo credit: Ronni Newton

This is the time of year when I generally start interviewing college students about summer internships at We-Ha.com. If you (or anyone you know) is interested, please reach out by email at [email protected].

Last week was jam-packed with activity in West Hartford – and Thursday was probably one of my busiest days in quite some time! It started with a visit to West Hartford by the South African Consulate General (more on that to come), a meeting with our business manager, police department promotions and swearing-in of new officers (story to come), a ribbon cutting (see below), and then taping of a segment with Dennis House that appeared on WTNH's "This Week in Connecticut" on Sunday morning (see link below). I was very happy that my only plans Thursday night were to sit on the couch and watch basketball (and a win by the Huskies!)

It's always great to have the opportunity to chat about West Hartford with Dennis House of WTNH.

Watch the clip from the show below!

I’ve been meaning to have dinner at 1001 Mexican Restaurant and Bar ever since I wrote about it in this column a few weeks ago, and it was the perfect spot for dinner Saturday night in between UConn basketball games. Ted adventurously ordered one of general manager Greg Morales’ creative cocktails, "The Notorious F.I.G."(black fig vodka, sagamore rye, carpano Antica, and cherry bitters) – which he said was excellent – while I opted for a classic margarita (also excellent). Our dinner started with birria egg rolls, and then Ted had an Al Pastor burrito while I tried the pescado (grilled swai – which is a mild Vietnamese white fish topped with pico and a chipotle crema drizzle). Chef Juan Carlos invited us to try one of his specialty desserts (of course we could not refuse!) which was a delicious "Chimi cheesecake" served with ice cream. Look for news about 1001 Mexican's grand opening to come. It's planned for April 22.

The Notorious F.I.G. (left) and a margarita at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Birria egg rolls at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Birria egg rolls at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Pescado at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Al Pastor burrito at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chef Juan Carlos of 1001 Mexican holds his dessert creation, the "Chimi" cheesecake. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The "Chimi" cheesecake at 1001 Mexican. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

There were just 8 positive reported cases of COVID-19 in West Hartford over the past seven days (as of Sunday) and a positivity rate of 4.7% – continuing to trend in a good direction. While the data doesn't take into account the home tests that don't get reported to the state, it's good to see those numbers continue to remain low. Maybe I will soon be able to delete this paragraph (maybe even next week) – and I sure hope so! In the meantime, please continue to have patience since not everyone has the same level of comfort, continue to look out for each other, support our local businesses – and stay safe and healthy.

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:

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Boost bowls will be opening soon at 981 Farmington Avenue, with an urban vibe and a menu that includes açaí bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Courtesy of Tatiana Mehmeti

Crumbl Cookies franchise owner Tucker Bartone in the new location in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crumbl Cookies is now open in the Corbin Collection in West Harttford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crumbl Cookies is now open in the Corbin Collection in West Harttford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crumbl Cookies is now open in the Corbin Collection in West Harttford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crumbl Cookies is now open in the Corbin Collection in West Harttford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mike Walker (center) with me (right) and Kristen Fritz – before our workout.

Mike Walker (left) put me through the paces during a HIIT workout. Photo credit: Kristen Fritz.

I liked this exercise, which reminded me of step aerobics. Photo credit: Mike Walker

The battle rope was tough! Photo credit: Mike Walker

I definitely need to build up some arm strength. Photo credit: Mike Walker

Happy 6th anniversary to Hartford Baking Company. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I enjoyed a chicken salad sandwich in honor of Hartford Baking Company's 6th anniversary. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dennis House of WHTN (right) unveiled the Dog Star dog, now included in Dog Walk. Courtesy photo

stop/time dance theater's "Stop Time Dance Machine" runs through April 2. Photo credit: Zee Rubin

stop/time dance theater's "Stop Time Dance Machine" runs through April 2. Photo credit: Zee Rubin

Ribbon cutting and Bergenn Financial Group. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Albertus Magnus College is highlighting the work of alum Reyna Zascirinskis ’19, LPC, ATR-p of West Hartford, who earned her Master of Arts and Art Therapy and Counseling at Albertus – the only program of its kind in the state. Currently a Mental Health Therapist at Well Life Therapy, LLC, in East Berlin, Zascirinskis’ recently published paper in the journal The Arts in Psychotherapy is based on her graduate thesis work, Alberta's Magnus said in a news release. The paper is entitled "An Exploratory Study of the Coming Out Road Drawing: A Novel Growth Promoting Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals" which is co- authored by her thesis advisors, Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Bonnie Pepper and Adjunct Faculty Member Abi Tishler. "I believe that the passion, drive, and dedication of my educators and mentors at Albertus is what allowed me to have access to the resources and tools necessary to put forth such a study," said Zascirinskis. "There was never a time where I was discouraged from my vision and pursuit of the project. To have this project now come to publication, gives me hope that I can contribute to the conversation within the art therapy community surrounding the importance of exploring coming out stories in a creative and therapeutic way."

Reyna Zascirinskis. Courtesy photo

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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