Manchester's Plaza At Buckland Hills Sporting New Looks

MANCHESTER, CT — There are a bunch of new looks at the eastern end of the Plaza at Buckland Hills in Manchester.

The most glaring is the large temporary sign draped across the front of Michaels, representing the chain's rebranding efforts that began last summer as part of its 50th anniversary.

"Everything to Create Anything is a theme that "supports the new brand strategy by expanding to reach the many kinds of creativity represented in Michaels' assortment. Bold colors, playful fonts, and highly textured macro imagery brings the new strategy to life alongside brand storytelling that connects to the joy and self-expression that creativity evokes in all of us," store officials said.

The timing is curiously simultaneous to a plaza neighbor with some similarities going through a difficult time. In a mid-March announcement, craft retail giant Jo-Ann, which has a store in the plaza plus 10 others in Connecticut, said it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it struggles to recover from post-pandemic-related losses and a change in customer spending habits.

All of its 850 stores will remain open during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which is allowed by federal law. The future of the 81-year-old Ohio-based retailer is uncertain, however.

Jo-Ann sits at the west end of the plaza.

Back to the east end, Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill opened last week. The restaurant has a fast-casual Mexican menu that includes "traceable ingredients with a delicious taste." Tacos, burritos, bowls and quesadillas are menu staples.

Salsa Fresca sits next to Sweet Frog, giving patrons both meal and dessert options just steps apart.

It also has a West Hartford location.

Taking the place of a seafood joint at the east end is Hot Table Panini, which is slated to open on April 22.

Hot Table was founded in 2007 by brothers John and Chris DeVoie and restaurateur Don Watroba in their hometown of Springfield, across the border in Massachusetts. The restaurant chain is "inspired by small eateries in Italy called Tavola Calda, translated to "Hot Table" in English. The menu features "delicious pressed sandwiches, made to order."

Other Connecticut locations include Glastonbury, Enfield and West Hartford.