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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

Even I canÔÇÖt deny that itÔÇÖs now fall, but I will take a moment to complain about the weekend weather which can best be described by the word ÔÇ£yucky.ÔÇØ We went to the UConn vs. Duke football game on Saturday, and at least it didnÔÇÖt rain until late in the game. Ted and I (both Duke alumni) were a bit conflicted because we are both Connecticut natives, and we returned to the state 25 years ago, and we financed the better part of 13 years worth of UConn tuition between our two kids, and we have UConn football season tickets ÔÇô but we said would root for the losing team. I wore a UConn sweatshirt over my Duke sweatshirt (a good move to stay warm as well), and I didnÔÇÖt have occasion to switch them, but we were at least hoping for a good game. We enjoyed a tailgate with Sam and some of his friends, and other than that here are my two favorite moments: Jonathan XIV and Jonathan XV at Rentschler Field.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Flyover prior to the Sept. 23 UConn vs. Duke football game.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I did some hardcore grandparenting last week ÔÇô a few hours one day, and then an overnight! A few takeaways: falling into the pattern of rocking a baby comes back automatically; the velcro on todayÔÇÖs diapers is far superior to the sticky tabs from the old days; todayÔÇÖs infant carseats are extraordinarily heavy; doing squats to soothe a fussy baby is a great workout, as is the slow-motion walk to the crib and careful lowering of the baby without waking it up; and, most notably, that toothless smile will melt my heart every single time.

It was more a combination of a discombobulated schedule last week, some nagging pain in my ankle (not the same foot I hurt in June, this pain appeared out of nowhere), and a sinus headache ÔÇô not just the yucky weather ÔÇô that led me to blow off my 12-mile run on Saturday. IÔÇÖm putting it in writing that I am going to try to get that 12-miler in one morning this week.

I did find time for eating out this week, at a few favorite spots. Dinner and margaritas with friends at Ocho Cafe during the week, and the comfort of ZephyrÔÇÖs Street Pizza late on a rainy Saturday night. I also had some fabulous food at West HartfordÔÇÖs new French restaurant, Le Mazet, as part of my research for the story that can be found here!

Tempura fish tacos at Ocho Cafe.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Marg with No Name at Ocho Cafe.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fajitas Hawaiianas at Ocho Cafe.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Caesar salad at ZephyrÔÇÖs.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
OG Street Taco pizza at ZephyrÔÇÖs.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A large seared tuna salad at Le Mazet is enough to be shared by 4-5 people, and includes sesame-crusted ahi tuna, soft-boiled eggs. green beans tempura, potatoes, tomatoes, and greens.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I havenÔÇÖt shared a Millie photo in a while. She is hoping for some cool, crisp fall days soon, and also dislikes this yucky weather. Millie is not pleased about the soggy weekend. And her Husky bandana doesnÔÇÖt seem to be bringing the Huskies much luck in football.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

If youÔÇÖre 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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HereÔÇÖs this weekÔÇÖs Buzz:

WIP Fitness, 485 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, is now owned by Paul and Julia Ducey.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Paul and Julia Ducey became the owners of WIP Fitness (485 New Park Ave.) on June 1, and this Friday will be having a re-launch ribbon-cutting celebration with the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce (which they just joined).

I caught up with the DuceyÔÇÖs last week to hear more about their background, and the cool story of how they ended up owning the fitness business.

When WIP was launched by Mary Kate Doyle and Laura Keever in 2013, it was called ÔÇ£Work in Progress,ÔÇØ and while thatÔÇÖs still the official business name, over the past five years or so thatÔÇÖs morphed into ÔÇ£WIP FitnessÔÇØ ÔÇô and ÔÇ£WIPÔÇØ definitely fits better on those magnets lots of devoted members have on their cars.

ÔÇ£Work in progressÔÇØ is still important to their mission however. ÔÇ£We are all working toward something,ÔÇØ Paul said.

A West Hartford native and lifelong athlete, he formerly worked at ESPN before deciding to pursue athletic training. He was a client of WIP from the early days, and eight years ago became a coach, transitioning about six years ago to coaching there full-time.

ÔÇ£I just came kind of on a whim. I knew a girl who worked here,ÔÇØ said Julia. That was six years ago.

ÔÇ£He was coaching. I was a member,ÔÇØ she said.

ÔÇ£IÔÇÖve always been a PE/health teacher,ÔÇØ said Julia, who works full-time as a teacher at Vinal Tech in Middletown. But Paul suggested she try coaching part time at WIP. They also started dating, and married in 2021, with many associated with WIP in attendance.

ÔÇ£My best man introduced me here,ÔÇØ Paul said, and a WIP client officiated at the wedding.

As for how they came to own WIP Fitness, which is the fulfillment of a dream, ÔÇ£Covid kind of changed things up for us,ÔÇØ Paul said. The membership had dropped to about 25% of its former level, they closed the Canton location, and Mary Kate and Laura took other full-time jobs, he said.

After the mandated closing, they reopened with fewer classes, limited class sizes, and mask mandates. But Mary Kate and Laura, while still owners of the business, had other obligations as well.

ÔÇ£Julia and I had talked abut doing something like this for years,ÔÇØ said Paul, when they were approached to have an ÔÇ£after class discussion.ÔÇØ

ÔÇ£It was a really quick transition. We couldnÔÇÖt say no to the community,ÔÇØ Julia said. Buying the business helped them achieve their dream of owning their own gym, in a place they already knew and loved.

ÔÇ£They put 10 years into this community and helped build it,ÔÇØ Paul said of Mary Kate and Laura. ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre lucky to have the foundation that they set,ÔÇØ added Julia.

The dedicated clients are the best salespeople, always talking about the community feel of working out at WIP. The workouts, held as group classes, Paul said, are full-body and adaptable to peopleÔÇÖs needs.

ÔÇ£We really try to focus on programming with a purpose ÔÇô workouts with a purpose,ÔÇØ he said. Each dayÔÇÖs workout is different, with typically strength on Monday, high intensity on Tuesday, core and cardio on Wednesday, skill strengths like box jumps and rope climbs on Thursday, and endurance on Friday.

The gym is open seven days a week, with morning and late afternoon classes on weekdays as well as a noon class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There are morning classes on Saturdays and Sundays, too, and offer yoga and Zumba classes.

ÔÇ£We try to make it adaptable for everyone,ÔÇØ said Paul, noting that for example those who may not be able (or want) to do outdoor sprints during a class will use one of the rowers. While he does a bit of personal training, the majority of clients participate in the classes. They do not offer open gym.

ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre trying to move away from the ÔÇÿboot campÔÇÖ term,ÔÇØ Paul said. ÔÇ£Boot camp has a beat-down connotation,ÔÇØ he said, so they call it circuit training.

Paul and Julia are excited for the ribbon cutting on Friday (3 p.m.), and for the relaunch party that begins Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m., and for their partnership with local food prep business Box Bistro, a physical therapist, Fleet Feet, and Balance Massage & Wellness Center ÔÇô the other ÔÇ£pieces of the puzzleÔÇØ that help ensure a well-rounded fitness experience.

AI legalese decoder Can Help with This Situation:

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