Buckland Business Brief: March 2021

First a word from our sponsor! 

SUMMERS AT GLENBROOKE ARE CHOCK FULL OF FUN

Raise your hand if you're ready for summer! We certainly are and we know exactly what will make it that much more fun. Glenbrooke Outdoor Sports Center recently added an array of activities and sports for some full-time fun! First is their brand new recreational day program that will keep the kiddos busy from morning through afternoon (restful nights for the whole fam is a WIN-WIN!). They have swim, tennis, basketball, soccer, double-dutch jump rope, crafts...the list goes on and on. Plus, the new Melissa J. Molin Memorial Soccer Field is almost finished and THIS Saturday, March 13th (Rain date: March 20th), the Center will hold tours for returning and potential new members. Stop by anytime 1:00 to 3:00 PM to get a first look and meet Ken Goodale, the director of Coerver East Soccer (he will run the new soccer program at Glenbrooke) and Dan Crovo, Glenbrooke's new General Manager. First 50 kids get a FREE t-shirt. We cannot say enough about the people in charge at Glenbrooke. They have a love and passion for this special spot like nothing we have ever seen. They truly want families to have the best old-fashioned summer! Built in 1964, it was a true labor of love and that mantra lives on to this day. Find more deets about all their offerings HERE or call Rose 860.682.8265 and plan your summer of fun TODAY.

Opening:

Americas Best Contacts & Eyeglasses will open in the Plaza of Buckland Hills. The eye care office will open in the last vacant space at the plaza, once home to Lane Bryant.

J Jill appears to be moving from their current location to a vacant spot next to Apple. The women's clothing store is currently located in the first building of Evergreen Walk, next door to Christopher & Banks. The building is slated to become a junior tenant, and I speculate that will be the new home to Old Navy if Evergreen's grocery store plans pass.

China Wok will be opening in the food court at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills where the former China Max was. China Max closed last month after over 5 years in the mall food court. China Wok's addition will only leave one vacancy in the food court, the space once home to Subway.

My Wife Didn’t Cook had their grand opening on 2/1/2021 in the food court at Buckland Hills Mall. This restaurant has proud ties to New Britain. The restaurant serves a variety of foods, specializing in soul food. Try the fried catfish!

Aldi in South Windsor, Manchester line, will open their door on March 11th according to a sign posted outside the nearly finished grocery store! The discount grocery is part of a new development called 'The Gateway.' This should hopefully calm the Vernon store down, the store is usually very busy during peak hours with cars parked up and down the entrance road.

East Celebrity Elite Cheerleading will be opening next to revolution basketball on Tolland Turnpike. East Celebrity Elite will be moving from the former location in East Windsor. The address of the new facility is 1406 Tolland Turnpike.

Jersey Mikes has reopened after renovation their restaurant! The sub shop is located at The Plaza at Buckland Hills, the renovation included a refresh to the interior, as well as the addition of a drop ceiling in the dining room.

Burton’s has expanded their South Windsor restaurant! The restaurant is located at the entrance of Evergreen Walk. The restaurant added a second dining room in the adjoining vacant space last home to Jos. A Banks.

Harbor Chase is nearing their opening near LA Fitness! The leasing office at Evergreen Walk will be having a lunch promotion on March 11th from 11 Am to 1:30 PM. Stop in to the office to learn about the facility and receive a delicious lunch from October Kitchen! RSVP to [email protected] or by calling (860) 543-1010.

New grocery store possibly coming to Evergreen! We have heard a lot of names thrown out for the operator of the store! Names on the list include Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, and The Fresh Market. The grocery store would be located on the space currently occupied by Sakura and Old Navy.

Crab Du Jour opens next month on the lower level of the mall where Panera Bread used to be at Buckland Hills Mall. The Cajun restaurant will be taking over an adjoining space as well as the Panera Bread space.

Chosen 1 Seafood opened early last month at the plaza at Buckland hills where the former Bonchon was. This is the seafood restaurant's third Hartford Area location.

Poke Don a new Hawaiian-Poke restaurant opened next to Panera Bread. The restaurant took the place of the short-lived BurgerIM space, the restaurant was open a little of a year before closing during COVID lockdown.

Taste by Spellbound will be moving from their current spot next to Omaha Steak to the former Crandall and Daughter space in South Windsor! The bakery is making a major investment by expanding their business to a much larger space! The location as Evergreen Walk is around 700 square feet, while the new location will be roughly 2,500 square feet.

Amazon has leased the remainder of JC Penney Warehouse in Manchester for last mile fulfilment center! This is Amazon's first foray into Manchester, Amazon has warehouses in South Windsor and Windsor.

Higher Ground Core at Evergreen has reopened for in person fitness classes! The studio was giving outdoor classes in Evergreen Walk's outdoor green.


Closing:


Chosenfew clothing located on the second floor near Cinnabon at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills Mall has closed. This was their second Manchester location, their original store on Middle Turnpike closed shortly after the mall location opened.

Hollister has unfortunately closed their store at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills. Hollister was located on the first level near Forever 21. The store has been located in the mall for as long as I can remember, and was the last Abercrombie owned store at the mall (Abercrombie and Abercrombie Kids closed years ago.)

American Eagle has also closed their store at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills. The store was located next to the recently closed Hollister store on the first level. The store has been a mall stable for years.

The Body Shop has closed their store located on the second level of The Shoppes at Buckland Hills. The store sold body lotions, soaps, and many other personal care items.

The Goofy Turtle appears to have closed at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills. The toy store opened nearly two years ago in the former FYE space near Macy's. The toy store never reopened from lockdown, and the windows have been blacked out by mall management.

Supreme Clientele Barber Shop appears to be another casualty of the pandemic. The barber shop never reopened after lockdown. The barber shop was located on the first level near Barnes & Noble.

Francescas has closed their location at Evergreen Walk. The women's clothing store was located next to DAVIDsTea. The store originally opened at Evergreen in the space now home to Evereve. The store moved into the Buckland Hills Mall, opening on the first level across from Forever 21, before moving back to Evergreen.

Christopher and Banks has closed their location at Evergreen Walk. The entire chain closed their stores while going through the bankruptcy process. Christopher and Banks was located across from Burton's.

China Max located in the food court of the Shoppes at Buckland Hills Mall closed. The Chinese restaurant was located next door to Sbarro Pizzeria.

Elements of Design has closed their salon at Evergreen Walk. The salon was once home to Green Tangerine Salon before becoming Elements of Design. The salon was located across from Ted's Montana Grille.

Collectibles and Cards has closed one of their two locations at Buckland Hills Mall. The store still has a location on the first level next to Forever 21.

Check out our Vernon news: https://www.themanchesterscoop.com/all-posts/vernon-business-brief-february-2021

Check out our Manchester news: https://www.themanchesterscoop.com/all-posts/manchester-business-brief-february-2021