It continues to be a very exciting and constantly evolving business environment in the Newington/Berlin area, and we have been keeping track of all the details. In this edition, you will find a rundown of openings (in addition to a few coming soon), an update on the many development projects followers have been asking about, and more. We might have the ‘scoop’ you are looking for!

The following businesses recently opened in/near both Newington and Berlin:

-F45 Training (30C Fenn Road) had their soft opening March 16. No word on an official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony at this time.

-Haven Hot Chicken (12 Fenn Road) opened on April 13. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held by the Newington Chamber of Commerce. The Newington Scoop was invited to a preview event on April 10. Check out our post here:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid0YQkY73GWVRuzn2skELTrSkJ28UYDA7zNjbz7m3FixeVVk7h1FJBZVgWaZgDYtUzol
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-The Portuguese Club of Hartford (730 North Mountain Road) reopened on March 30 after a fire closed the facility back in 2017. A gala was held on March 30, with an official Ribbon Cutting on April 5.

-Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates (505 Willard Avenue, Suite 1C) opened April 1 with a Ribbon Cutting.

-LaserMaxx (3005 Berlin Turnpike) opened on April 8. It was previously the longtime home of LaserQuest, which will continue the same concept with laser tag, an arcade and an escape room!

-Stone House By Temponi (1912 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield) opened their new showroom March 16. They were previously located at 1979 North Broad Street in Meriden. They will retain the property as their fabrication shop and remnant yard until they complete work on a neighboring property to their new showroom at 1900 Berlin Turnpike for those purposes.

-The Encore Bar & Grill (1861 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin) opened March 27.

-Starbucks (1041 Farmington Avenue, Berlin) opened March 20.

-Quinceanera Dresses (196 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin) recently opened.

-Barbology Barbershop (154 Webster Square Road, Berlin) recently opened. They are located at Stick Village across from Ocean State Plaza.

-Miss Britt's Academy of Dance opened yesterday (4/23) at 1400 Berlin Turnpike in Berlin (in Ridgeway Plaza)! To learn more and to sign up for a class, visit their website: https://www.missbrittsacademyofdance.com/

-MEADOW COMMONS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS TOMORROW (4/25) with the opening of Shake Shack at 3329 Berlin Turnpike (Suite 6)! They will be having their ribbon cutting at 10:30am with the Newington Chamber of Commerce followed by the Grand Opening at 11am. Shake Shack will donate $1 for every burger and sandwich purchased, to help Connecticut Foodshare!

-We also brought you the scoop Monday that Beso Taco Bar is the latest eatery to sign on to the new development! ICYMI, see that post here:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid02puYHPPbrWQpcpXpYfTfB9RMjcy2cC6HU7oZ8s9B8sVZ5kC4NDdC1Q1PBP9FFSAbBl

-The first tenants of Millyard at Meadow Commons should be ready to occupy their units shortly as well. Read our latest update on the new mixed-use center:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid02sTjoHeR89GgeNFaLfPGF28tqVjx3uNLoAtDZrMjkufZie4Aj1j8aSKpSE8A9RsoFl

-Just around the corner from Meadow Commons is The Pike at 227 Pane Road. This has been an ongoing construction project consisting of 151 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Units are now available and initial occupancy is expected as early as June! Visit their website to learn more about the newest housing option in town: https://www.thepikenewington.com/

-Steelwrist relocated their North America headquarters from Berlin to Newington at 240 Pane Road back in December. They share the space with Shucco USA LP which downsized operations last year. Steelwrist was previously located at 576 Christian Lane in Berlin since 2018. New England Crane/Connecticut Crane & Hoist took over the Christian Lane facility as of February.

-The Site Plan for 67 Pane Road by BSC Group was Approved with Conditions at the March 27 TPZ meeting. BSC Group plans to convert the former Frink’s Garden Center into a Sunbelt Rental facility. Modifications to the existing structure are currently being made. The current Sunbelt Rental location at 2258 Berlin Turnpike would be replaced by the new Pane Road location.

-The Farmer's Cow Calfé & Creamery is coming soon to 1241 Farmington Avenue in Berlin! This will be their second location in Connecticut. See our post for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid02d86wo6UEmXWYSAXGCW7LgX4VTyh2ewfqhbz4Roed5HvzMfb5yTB42URFKjPhqseLl

-Wingstop announced plans to open a location just over the town line at the new Atlas Commons in Wethersfield at 1862 Berlin Turnpike. They join Starbucks as the first tenants of the new complex.

-The former Batteries + Bulbs space at 3384 Berlin Turnpike has been leased! We are still trying to figure out the new tenant. Signs on the windows clearly hint to the fact that a lease has been signed. No building permits have been filed as of this time. Stay tuned for updates.

-There has been curiosity from readers on what is happening at 50 Fenn Road; the former Mobil station. Passersby can see that the fuel tanks have been removed and the property gated. After doing some research, we were able to find building and electrical permits filed for the property in the last month for the removal of underground storage tanks and equipment and the installation of new tanks (see them in the photos). It is certain with this information that a gas station will come back to the site but is unclear if it will continue as Mobil or another brand. When it is known, we will give an update. The property was purchased from Trumbull Family Properties back in December, 2023 to Jurkoto Ljuboca & Bakar ABU.

-The future WoodSpring Suites at 712 Cedar Street appears to be nearly complete. We have reached out to WoodSpring for an opening date for the hotel and are waiting to hear back.

-Hound and Home LLC is merging operations with Muddy Paws Barkery and moving their storefront to 1042 Main Street, the former Flowers, Etc. space! See our post on this exciting news here:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid0fBFdLfRctgU7bqhr7h2XLt6tR45GbmfcZjvibFhvpXZZ4YuNmE8PaUERvjjqJ9PUl

-Buildout on the new Dunkin' space at 79 East Cedar Street continues. No word on when they will open.

-Another development project many are wondering about is the former Keeney building at 1170 Main Street. The property was purchased by Omni Broussard Two LLC in December, 2021. They came before the Economic Development Commission on April 6, 2023 with a presentation for the property to transform it in to a mixed-use development consisting of retail in the front, and manufacturing in the rear. The hope was that local businesses would utilize the space. Other uses envisioned were showroom space and a brewery. Data-Mail currently utilizes the industrial building on the East end of the property. There has been interest from potential tenants to occupy space for the past year, but the process has been at a standstill to the point where there was uncertainty that plans would still move forward. The Newington Scoop discovered an Instagram account tied to the development with the most recent posts highlighting the building’s 99th birthday this year, as well as pitching for a brewery to inquire about space at the complex. The link in their bio brings you to their leasing page with Sentry Commercial. Check out the cleverly named ‘1170 Main’ Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/1170main.nwngtn/

-The Kiwanis Club of Newington will be back with the bi-annual Flea Market for their Spring session beginning this Sunday, April 28 and running each Sunday through June 30 in Constitution Square! See our previous post for more information on this event:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/pfbid0y7Uj7qdqmqNLPRnxsM6SrrSbUStwpxmm8z7QV8udU3C2X8hKWhnfmvi6uR4xAVSNl
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-Join Karma's Closet for their Spring Fair! It will take place this Sunday, April 28 from 10am-3pm at their store located at 3153 Berlin Turnpike in the McBride Plaza parking lot. Owner Deanna Reney offers local crafters a space to sell their unique items in addition to selling them in the store. There will also be a sidewalk sale, bake sale and raffles! Stop by Sunday!

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Hound and Home LLC will be merging operations with Muddy Paws Barkery and moving to a new home!

The newly merged businesses will occupy the former Flowers, Etc. space at 1042 Main Street! Hound and Home is currently located at 2600 Berlin Turnpike, where they will continue operations until the new space is ready later this summer. The move will allow for more services and retail space.

Hound and Home provides grooming services, dog washing stations, a retail store featuring food and supplies, including items from local vendors/artisans! The business is celebrating its first year open!

See their Facebook post in the attached image to see their announcement. Have you been to Hound and Home? Are you excited about their move and expansion? Tell us below!
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Visit them on the web at www.houndandhome.org

Beso Taco Bar is coming soon to Meadow Commons according to the latest leasing plan! The upscale taco bar will open next door to Sally's Apizza, separated by a small courtyard.

Beso Taco Bar is owned by Market Hospitality Group, owner of Marketplace, Mercato, Marketplace Tavern, and other restaurants throughout NY and CT. Beso Taco Bar recently opened their first location in Newburgh, NY. Market Hospitality Group has new restaurant coming soon in Cheshire and Glastonbury as well!

The menu features a plethora of Mexican-inspired dishes including a large variety of tacos, empanadas, and more. The drink menu has a variety of margaritas! Make sure you check them out when they open.

Check out their website here: https://www.besotacobar.com/
​and their menu here: https://www.besotacobar.com/eat

Haven Hot Chicken (12 Fenn Road) will be officially opening their Newington location on Saturday, April 13 at 11am!

The Newington Scoop (represented by our Scoop founder, Jean-Luc) was invited to a media preview event today to check out and sample the latest of several new chicken establishments in the area. Haven Hot Chicken was founded in 2020 and is the first dedicated Nashville-style chicken concept in New England.

They will offer several styles of their delicious chicken, ranging from "Country" (non-spicy) to "Haven" (spicy). Accompanying the chicken is their classic sides, such as french fries, creamy vinegar slaw, garlic dill pickles and mac and cheese. Vegetarian options are also available. Their famous banana pudding is not only a sweet dessert but comes with a satisfying story. The cost of a meal from the sale of each side of banana pudding goes to support "The Great Banana Pudding Drive" which helps Connecticut Foodshare. Haven has helped to raise funds for over 60,000 meals to help feed families in our state!

The Newington location will be their 7th. They also have stores in New Haven, Orange, Norwalk, North Haven, Storrs and Middletown. Fairfield and Oxford will follow shortly after Newington's opening! They will be open every day from 11am-10pm.
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The new location will be giving away their signature item "The Sandwich" to the first 203 guests at the restaurant beginning Saturday at 11am! Visit their website to learn more about their menu items: www.havenhotchicken.com

The Farmer's Cow Calfé & Creamery is coming soon to 1241 Farmington Avenue, in the former Arby's space!

Their menu offerings include sandwiches, wraps, soups, ice cream and more! They will be using the delicious, high-quality brand of products they are known for all over New England!

The Farmers Cow was started in 2003 as a cooperative of 6 family-owned farms. The first Calfe was opened in 2012. They currently have a Connecticut location in Willimantic at 86 Storrs Road. They are hoping to open the Berlin location in the next month or so. The location will feature a drive-through, which is already in place from the previous restaurant.

The addition of The Farmer's Cow continues an upward trend in the town of new businesses, specifically food establishments such as Sadie's Sunrise Cafe, The Encore Bar & Grill, Starbucks, Seed Bagel (opening soon) and more! Are you excited about all of these new options?
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Find out more information and view their full menu by visiting their website: https://thefarmerscowcalfe.com/

We are just a few weeks away from the opening of Meadow Commons, which includes the retail portion (3113-3333 Berlin Turnpike) and the Millyard at Meadow Commons residential component (98-100 Pane Road). Read ahead to hear a recap of what's coming to the retail side, when the residential side will be ready for occupancy, pictures and an estimated opening date of the first retail tenant!

Meadow Commons shopping center will consist of 12 retail spaces, 7 of which are currently leased. Those signed on are food establishments, including Shake Shack, Crumbl Cookies, PJ's Coffee, Sally's Apizza, Playa Bowls and CAVA. They all expect to open by summer of this year. A national grocer will be the largest tenant, and is leased to Amazon Fresh at this time, which is subject to change. They don't expect to open the grocery store until January 2025.

The residential portion, Millyard at Meadow Commons, just announced today that they will be welcoming their first residents in just a few weeks! They are actively continuing to offer tours of additional units on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Visit www.millyardliving.com to learn more.

While opening dates are often announced and can change, we have learned that the first tenant to open, Shake Shack (3329 Berlin Turnpike) has tentatively scheduled their opening date for Friday, April 26! Again, this is subject to change. Crumbl, PJs and CAVA are all anticipated to follow shortly thereafter.

The Newington Scoop visited the site on March 18 and took some pictures of the retail plaza. They are attached with this post.
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Are you looking forward to Meadow Commons? What restaurant are you excited to try? What other businesses would you like to see fill the 5 remaining spaces? Let us know!