Newington Business Brief: July 2023

Welcome to The Newington Scoop's very first Business Brief. I will try to do at least one per month if enough content warrants one. Otherwise, any new developments will be scooped to you as we get them. If anyone has any business news to share, please share them to [email protected].

Opening:
-The Rockin Chicken recently opened in the former Dunkin' at 236 West Hill Road. They are a Peruvian Charcoal Rotisserie with their original location at 476 Franklin Avenue in Hartford. The Newington Chamber of Commerce will be having an official ribbon cutting ceremony on July 24 at 5:00pm. Check them out.

-Deal Depot will be opening in the former Goodwill store at 45 Costello Road. They are a closeout retailer specializing in a variety of items for the home, including clothing, equipment, and more. The Newington Chamber of Commerce will be holding a ribbon cutting on July 17 at 5:00pm. Join them.

-Cash Money Pawns opened on July 3 at 65 Louis Street in the strip center alongside Price Chopper. They are a new local pawn shop.

-Final Cut Sports Barbershop will be moving from 36 Lasalle Road in West Hartford Center to Newington Center at 4 East Cedar Street in the former Modern Barber space. They are an established family-owned barber shop with a sports theme. They've been in business for over 20 years, and decided to move the shop to Newington, their hometown. Construction is ongoing. They will be informing The Newington Scoop as to when they will open the new location.

-Starbucks at 995 Main Street has been temporarily closed since last month for renovations. They expect to reopen by the end of August. We will keep you posted on when the re-opening date is announced.

-Flash Car Wash Newington at 16 Fenn Road is still waiting for an MDC hookup (per an update at the last TPZ meeting on 6/28/23). This line would have to be run to the CT Fastrack busway. No indication was given on how long this process would take. Commissioners assumed it will be a longer delay. The Newington Scoop reached out to the Flash Car Wash and have not yet received a response.


LOOKING AHEAD:
-The TPZ recently met and heard three (3) pre-applications for new businesses to locate in existing buildings in town. Please see the previous post for details on those potential new openings:
https://www.facebook.com/thenewingtonscoop/posts/287068443897793

-Progress continues at 3333 Berlin Turnpike, a newly constructed mixed-use center with retail and 269 luxury apartments. So far, the confirmed tenants are Sally's Apizza, Crumbl Cookies, Shake Shack, PJ's Coffee, Restore Hyper Wellness and CAVA Mediterranean Restaurant. A national grocer to occupy the largest space in the retail portion is not yet known. Tenants are expected to be able to move in later this year with apartment occupancy by early 2024. As soon as specific information and dates are revealed, we will give you the scoop.

-Other active construction projects include the future WoodSpring Suites, a four-story hotel to be located at 712 Cedar Street, Cedar Pointe, an affordable housing complex at 550 Cedar Street, and The Pike, a new apartment option at the corner of Pane Road and Maselli Road.