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West Hartford Business Buzz: April Highlights

Introduction

A comprehensive overview of recent developments, openings, and closures in West Hartford’s business scene.

Special Thanks

Business Buzz is proudly sponsored by NBT Bank, a partnership we truly appreciate!

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April Insights: A Month to Remember

April is approaching its finale, yet there is hope that the delightful spring weather lingers just a bit longer. Last week, temperatures danced above 80°F, making the day pleasantly dry and enjoyable.

Community Engagement

This month has brought with it an array of significant news stories, and as summer draws near, we remain hopeful for a period of calm. My focus has been centered on the various budget votes, including detailing the notable discussions at the April 1 Board of Education meeting and the April 22 Town Council session. Delving into member comments has been essential to inform the community of the rationale behind their elected representatives’ votes.

The budget formation process in West Hartford is notably public. It includes numerous hearings and workshops, alongside this year’s innovative addition of community conversations. All elected officials, from the Board of Education to the Town Council, volunteer their hours, thoroughly examining the budget before casting their votes. Although there tends to be a surge of “Monday-morning quarterbacking” on social media following budget approval, it would be refreshing to see a greater number of constructive suggestions during the budget creation process.

Navigating Budget Concerns

Complaints about rising taxes are far too common, with few relishing the idea of paying more unless tangible benefits are evident. There exists a wealth of intellect within West Hartford, and I firmly believe that many residents might have viable suggestions for lowering the town or school budget. Given the challenges faced this budget year, it’s vital to note that while development is bustling in West Hartford, the FY26 budget relies on the Grand List as of October 1, 2024. In the upcoming two years, we can anticipate that Grand List growth will positively influence the tax base.

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Local Developments & Events

Updates on Development Applications

On Tuesday, I plan to cover the fourth installment of the public hearing concerning the Vessel Technologies application. This time, I’ll don my former risk management consulting hat—drawing on my past experience with Marsh & McLennan—to further investigate some of the fire safety concerns associated with Vessel’s unique construction. Click here for my latest story ahead of Tuesday’s hearing.

Community Events

Last Saturday evening, Ted and I attended the Encore gala, the signature fundraiser for Playhouse on Park. The event took place at the newly opened Bristol Event Center, featuring a beautiful lobby for the cocktail hour. With the theme “Pop Rocks,” I embraced my inner “paparazzi” for the evening, making the evening not just pleasurable but whimsical. Ted, on the other hand, dressed as "Ted Nugent," leading to a humorous mix-up at the pharmacy years ago when I was mistaken for his prescription pick-up.

It was an enchanting night, and I’ll be sharing a comprehensive recap with photos detailing the fundraising results soon. Meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek at some of the amazing food, including a dessert flan I regrettably devoured before snapping a picture!

Culinary Creations at Home

Outside of the Encore event and a delightful poke bowl lunch, my dining experiences were largely home-cooked. I experimented with dishes like a lamb and rice bowl, utilizing leftover Easter lamb, as well as scrambling eggs and baking fresh pumpkin chocolate chip muffins on Sunday!

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Policy Changes and Business Updates

Reader Comment Policy

I won’t be sharing the troll photo this week, but I wish to address a specific instance. As of Sunday afternoon, one reader wished to comment anonymously. I promptly emailed them, and they expressed discomfort with using their full name. While the comment was not inappropriate, our policy mandates full name usage in site comments—unless previously grandfathered in prior to policy changes.

Business Submissions

If you are a long-term advertiser on We-Ha.com and have a business announcement of 60-75 words for a future Business Buzz, please reach out to Bob Carr at [email protected]. He is also the point of contact for sponsorship opportunities on specific site sections.

For further updates on local businesses, please share in the comments or email me at [email protected].

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Business Highlights This Week

Tag’s Pop-Up Store

I had the pleasure of touring The Byline at 920 Farmington Avenue, where development partners Avner Krohn and Brian Zelman are making impressive strides. The building now boasts 48 units, including 36 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom apartments with multiple layouts. Impressively, two units are set aside as affordable housing for those earning 80% or less than the area median income.

Leasing is currently underway, with the project scheduled for occupancy starting June 1! The aim is to maintain a vibrant community feel akin to Manhattan’s Upper East Side, complete with high-tech amenities that allow tenants to control their environments via smartphones. This initiative is pivotal to fostering a sense of modern living while remaining user-friendly.

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Support for Local Entities

This week also saw the launch of Franklin & Frankel LLC, celebrated with a ribbon cutting attended by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Led by Aaron Frankel, this firm continues the legacy of attorney Scott Franklin, who will remain involved as counsel. Their commitment lies in providing tailored legal services in business, estate planning, and real estate law.

As they embark on this journey, tools such as AI legalese decoder can significantly enhance their legal documentation processes, ensuring clarity and efficiency by simplifying complex legal terms for both clients and staff.

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Encourage Community Engagement

The West Hartford community thrives on participation and input. Residents are encouraged to submit business news, share comments, or even merely check in on local happenings. If you’re interested in becoming part of the supportive community that celebrates our local businesses, please reach out!

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Conclusion

If you’re keen on keeping abreast of the many happenings in West Hartford, subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter to remain in the loop! Additionally, consider supporting our efforts to uphold quality journalism by clicking the blue button below.

Let’s keep the dialogue going and work together toward a vibrant community!

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