West Hartford Business Buzz: September 28, 2026

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

Autumn officially arrived last Monday – and the weather seemed to change abruptly, too. After a weekend featuring rain and wind that could at best be called abysmal, I’m happy to see the weather app on my phone promising some sunshine and temperatures in the 70s (and 81 degrees on Thursday!) this coming week. I will admit to having some of Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice coffee this past weekend, and to turning on the seat warmers in my car – but not the heat in the house!

I’ve got a bunch of stories to catch up on from the past week – which was filled with events and meetings – but a few of the activities I attended are featured below, including the celebration hosted by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce marking the re-publication of William Hall’s “West Hartford, Connecticut” history book held at the beautiful historic chapel at Fairview Cemetery, and the Blue Back Burger Bash!

In addition to the six burgers I consumed at the Bash on Thursday (they were sliders, and while I tasted all of them I didn’t eat the entire portion), I’ve had some delicious food the past week.

On Monday, I made fresh tomato sauce with some of the bumper crop of tomatoes we have grown in our garden this year, and included fresh basil from the garden as well. The photo below is just a small sample of the tomatoes that we have harvested this year from just four plants – and thankfully we have friends and family who have willingly accepted dozens of tomatoes from the bounty!

Tomatoes and a few red peppers from our garden. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Sauce made from roasted tomatoes and basil from the garden. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Thanks to Jon Camacho (of The Lift Effect, where I have been going for personal training for the past year) and his significant other, Tanya Meck, for having us over for a great dinner on Friday night! (Told you I would publish a photo of the meal …)

Spaghetti carbonara and arugula salad. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mochi donuts from Cha Papi were a delicious dessert! Photo credit: Ronni

And after watching UConn sadly fall apart and lose their football game, and on a miserable rainy and windy night, Saturday’s dinner at Zephyr’s was the perfect antidote. I don’t think we have ever gone there without ordering the Yard Bird (Ted’s favorite), but this time we also tried the Brace Lot and I’m definitely having that again!

We needed some “Sunshine” by Saturday night! Photo credit: ROnni Newton

The Brace Lot at Zephyr’s is a white pizza with mozz, sweet maple sausage, braised fennel, NY cheddar, and scallions. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Yard Bird at Zephyr’s is a white pizza with braised chicken thigh, mozz, Calabrian breadcrumbs, honey sriracha, and pickle relish. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

There were a lot of comments on articles this week and sadly one comment by the worst (in my opinion) type of troll – someone pretending to be someone else who had already commented legitimately using their real email address. I can see the email addresses in the back end of the site, so please don’t try to trick me by impersonating a legitimate commenter. And thank you to all who comment with your full names, and avoid making personal attacks! Please note that it has been our policy for several years that full names be used when commenting directly on the site – with the exception of those commenters who were grandfathered when they commented prior to the policy being updated. Please comply or your comment will not be published.

We-Ha.com troll alert. Created by Bob Carr using AI

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

The newly-expanded and renovated convenience store at the Phillips 66 station in Bishops Corner will add Fresh Monkee to its Grumpy Dad Coffee service and other products available. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

These days there aren’t often many things to smile about when going to a gas station – but the recently reopened and completely renovated Phillips 66 station and expanded convenience store, operating as Fresh Route at 2526 Albany Avenue in Bishops Corner, is definitely the exception! Very soon it will be home to the 11th Fresh Monkee franchise location in the state! The Algoo family “has been in the gas station industry for almost 20 years spanning across MA and CT,” said Cindy Algoo. “My brother & I focus on the CT locations while my parents and sister focus on the MA locations. Between all locations we each have our roles and work well as a team. The Phillips 66 operating as Fresh Route brings gas, convenience, coffee, fresh pastries, and roller grill items to a one stop shop,” she said in an email. “When we closed for renovations last year, we decided to also open a Fresh Monkee franchise inside the gas station to offer consumers a healthy option,” Cindy said. This is the family’s first Fresh Monkee franchise, and it will have a soft opening on Oct. 5, with a grand opening planned for Oct. 24. “We knew that we wanted to do things differently with the renovations going on at Phillips. It’s incredibly rare to see healthy options offered at a gas station. So the solution was to explore ways to bring in alternatives to the typical food chains offered at a gas station, which is what led us to … Fresh Monkee,” which offers healthy protein-based shakes made with high-grade protein and are low-sugar and made with fresh fruit and other natural ingredients. I stopped by on Friday and met Christopher Algoo and Matthew Harris, who is also part of the family and manager of the convenience store. Christopher said it’s been about five years since his family purchased the station at that corner from the Lyons family, and even before the renovation of the store and takeover the space that was formerly a mechanics bays, they had introduced Grumpy Dad Coffee Roasters, a coffee program that benefits the Lucas Logan Foundation – a charitable mission that supports “initiatives, services, partnerships,, and organizations” focused on the needs of underprivileged children. I asked Christopher – who certainly did not appear “grumpy” – about the name, and he laughed when he said he created the brand right after the birth of his second child (when he was rather sleep deprived), and the foundation it supports is named for his and his wife’s two sons. He said the beans are carefully chosen from roasters in California and Chicago, but eventually he would like to bring a roaster into the space. The overall decor inside the convenience store includes many references to West Hartford – including a mural. Fresh Monkee will be housed inside the convenience store, but while there might be some cross-trained employees, they are “completely separate entities/businesses with separate POS systems and transactions,” Cindy said. Fresh Monkee is a rapidly expanding business which now has more than 50 locations, and for more information visit their website.

Christopher Algoo (left) and Matthew Harris in the Fresh Route store at 2526 Albany Avenue in West Hartford’s Bishops Corner. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Christopher Algoo created Grumpy Dad Coffee Roasters after the birth of his second child. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Christopher Algoo created Grumpy Dad Coffee Roasters after the birth of his second child. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Christopher Algoo created Grumpy Dad Coffee Roasters after the birth of his second child. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I’ve been working to get details about the planned opening of Dime Pizza in the former Salsa Fresca space at 345 North Main Street in Bishops Corner, first announced in late August, but there is no date to report. “We are making progress, but we don’t have a target opening date quite yet,” one of the owners told me in a message. Dime has the same owners as Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza in Tolland and Oakland Pizza in South Windsor, and according to a social media post (@dime.pizza) they will feature “detroit pies”and “‘roni cups” at the new restaurant.

Future Dime Pizza at 345 North Main Street in Bishops Corner. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

There are no details to share yet, but I have confirmed with Jared Cohen, owner of Le Mazet, that he is “working on a new concept with one of my old business partners from Republic” that will be opening in the former Cookshop Plus space at 60 LaSalle Road. He said it will be a few months before they are ready to share any details, and I will be ready to report on it when they ready!

Former Cookshop Plus space. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I’ve gotten a few questions recently – some voicing concerns about the plans for Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings to open in Blue Back Square. I have been assured that they are still planning on opening, but it’s just taking a while. Back in the spring they placed wrap on the windows that includes “About Us” details: “At Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, we bring the warmth and flavor of handmade dim sum to every community we serve. What began as a single neighborhood restaurant has grown into a growing restaurant group with locations across New York and Colorado – each dedicated to sharing authentic recipes, welcoming hospitality, and the comforting taste of home …” Another window shares the “Handmade with Heart” concept: “At Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, every dish is made by hand – from the delicate pleats of our dumplings to the rich broth in our noodles. We believe real flavor comes from craftsmanship and tradition, not machines. Each bite reflects our care, skill, and love for authentic dim sum culture …” Nana’s currently has seven locations in Colorado and one in Scarsdale, NY – and West Hartford will be the first in Connecticut.

Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings will be opening at 111 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Staying in the Blue Back Square neighborhood, earlier this month Sweatfluence had indicated on Instagram (@sweatfluencehotyoga) that their new grand opening date will be Oct. 10. I’m looking forward to checking out the space and trying a class as soon as possible!

Sweatfluence will be opening at 87 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

And finally, one last Blue Back Square post is a congratulations to Fleming’s as winner of the best burger at the Blue Back Burger Bash on Thursday! Fleming’s was the winner of the “people’s choice,” and tied with Artisan after the six judges voted. That made Fleming’s the overall winner, but the judges (who included me, Connecticut Foodshare President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, WFSB’s Renee DiNino, FOX 61’s Erica Arias, Kiss 95.7 DJ Adam Rivers, and content creator and author of “Totally Nachrageous” Alex P. Taylor) also decided that Artisan was deserving of the “best presentation” award for their French dip burger. The real winner was also Connecticut Foodshare, which receives a portion of all ticket sales. Jakubowski said he didn’t have a number yet, “but it usually raises at least $5k and this years crowd was the biggest ever… so probably more than $5k,” he told me on Sunday.

Blue Back Burger Bash judges. Courtesy photo

Burger from Coracora. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burger from World of Beer. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burger from Artisan. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burger from Boqueria. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burger from Fat Duck Tavern. Photo credit: ROnni Newton

Burger from Fleming’s. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Fire Department and West Hartford Police Department had booths at the Blue Back Burger Bash. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Fire Department and West Hartford Police Department had booths at the Blue Back Burger Bash. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Tagliarini, of Tagliarini Chiropractic, who received the Connecticut Chiropractic Council Lifetime Achievement Award at the CCC’s Xtravaganza at Foxwoods Resort & Casino over the weekend, in recognition of her contributions and dedication to the profession. “I’m the first female to receive this award as well as the youngest chiropractor ever to receive it in Connecticut,” Tagliarini said. “It was such a huge honor to be awarded this award by my peers. After 25 years in practice, I still love what I do and remain committed to helping my patients achieve their health goals, and supporting my colleagues by being an advocate for them.”

Dr. Jessica Tagliarini received the CCC Lifetime Achievement Award. Courtesy photo

Congratulations to Zachary Shuman, a West Hartford resident who has been appointed executive chef of Emily’s Catering Group. In his new role, Shuman, who has more than 20 years of culinary and hospitality experience, will lead the kitchen and culinary team overseeing menu development and execution while bringing a fresh perspective to the company’s culinary program. He joins Emily’s Catering Group with extensive experience spanning fine dining, restaurant operations and culinary leadership throughout Connecticut and New England – starting with working alongside his father. His career experience includes Avon Old Farms Inn, Simsbury Inn and Cavey’s, along with the opportunity to work alongside celebrated chef Todd English at Olives and in kitchens in Las Vegas and New York City. He also brought his culinary perspective to Bean Restaurant Group at The Student Prince, and then opened Union Kitchen in West Hartford, and also led the program at Butchers & Bakers in Farmington and collaborations with 4th Street Famous in Pennsylvania. A news release noted that each experience has helped shape Chef Zach’s approach to food, blending a deep respect for the craft with creativity, collaboration and a passion for creating memorable dining experiences. “Zach brings an incredible depth of experience, but what excites me most is the creativity he brings to Emily’s Catering Group,” said owner Rick Kerzner. “We’ve spent more than 20 years building this company around great food, personal service and doing things the right way. Zach understands and respects that foundation while also bringing new ideas and a different culinary point of view. I’m excited about what we can create together.” Shuman’s arrival marks an evolution of the Emily’s Catering Group culinary program, bringing together two distinct but complementary perspectives in the kitchen. Kerzner brings the experience and traditions that have shaped Emily’s Catering Group since its founding, while Shuman brings a fresh approach informed by more than two decades working in restaurants and hospitality. Together, they will focus on continuing to evolve their menus, presentation and overall culinary experience while maintaining the personalized approach that has long defined the company. “Emily’s Catering Group has built a reputation around making each event feel personal, and that really stood out to me,” said Shuman. “There’s an incredible foundation here and an opportunity to build on it creatively. I’m looking forward to working alongside Rick and the entire Emily’s Catering Group team to continue pushing the food forward while staying true to what clients have come to expect from us.”

Zachary Shuman Executive Chef Emily’s Catering. Courtesy photo

Congratulations to the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce on successfully launching the re-publication of the 1930 “West Hartford” history book written by William H. Hall. The setting for the launch was appropriate – the beautiful chapel located at Fairview Cemetery, a property which Hall helped establish and where he is buried. A capacity crowd attended the panel discussion exploring Hall’s work, West Hartford’s history, the story behind the book’s republication and the importance of preserving local history. The discussion was moderated by Chuck Coursey, Chair of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and panelists included West Hartford Chamber President and CEO Chris Conway, Town Historian Mary Donohue, and West Hartford Local History Librarian Brett Freiburger. Sales of the book benefit the West Hartford Chamber Foundation, and copies are currently available at Kimberly Gifts, Good Cause Gifts, River Bend Book Shop and the Noah Webster House Gift Shop, as well as through online ordering at WHChamber.com. I couldn’t resist photos of some of the architecture and stained glass windows inside the chapel – which has not been used publicly in decades.

Panelists at the launch of “West Hartford” history include (from left): Brett Freiburger, Mary Donohue, Chris Conway, Chuck Coursey.

Inside the Fairview Cemetery chapel. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Inside the Fairview Cemetery chapel. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Inside the Fairview Cemetery chapel. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Chamber Foundation Board of Directors members Inside the Fairview Cemetery chapel. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan continues to move ahead, and there is definitely progress every time I visit the Center – including on LaSalle Road which as of late last week now has its final coat of pavement and more benches. Bike hitches will soon follow. Crews are still working in front of the former CVS building, but there has been good progress on the sidewalk and curb work in front of Sparrow, J.McLaughlin, and Bliss Matcha & Beyond. It looks like the area between bartaco and Mecha will be the final section. The overall project is about 85% complete, according to a report by Director of Community Development Duane Martin to the Town Council’s Community Planning and Economic Development Committee last week.