North Central Connecticut Business Climate Both Hot, Cold In 2022

NORTH CENTRAL, CT — The business climate in Hartford and Tolland counties was certainly full of fluctuations in 2022. At times it was flat-out hot, but sometimes what took place made residents shiver.

We had restaurant names fade away — brands that would have prompted gasps in response to the mere suggestion of closure about a decade ago. Time just took its toll on others.

We also had openings that involved brand names and small businesses coming out of a restrictive pandemic with vigor to establish a new presence in the region.

We had optimism over some mergers and frustration over others. We even had a near-revolt by townsfolk over a parking issue.

There was also a bit of luck.

Here are some business highlights for 2022 in north central Connecticut:

Openings

• CT Native Opens Unique Automat Dumpling Restaurant Near UConn (2/23)
• Groundbreaking Ceremony Conducted For Whole Foods In South Windsor (6/21)
• Ice Cream Shop - With 20 Flavors And Lovely Views - Opens In Suffield (8/4)
• Dick's Sets Up Massive 'Warehouse Sale' At Manchester Location (9/6)
• Unique Skin Care Practice Set To Open In South Windsor (9/23)
• It's Official ... Trader Joe's Coming To Glastonbury (11/4)
• Discount Retail Store Slates Opening Day For Black Friday In Vernon (11/16)
• Experienced Tattoo Artist From Enfield Opens New Shop In East Windsor (11/18)
• Dime Bank Officially Opens Its 13th Connecticut Branch In Vernon (12/20)

Closings

• Outback Steakhouse Shutters Enfield Location (1/24)
• East Windsor Institution To Close After 66 Years Of Delicious Business (8/9)
• Denny's Closes Enfield Location After More Than 45 Years In Business (9/15)
• Glastonbury Pet Supply Business Closing After 102 Years In Town (10/11)
• Vernon Denny's Closes Abruptly (10/10)
• Restaurant In Manchester That Opened To Much Fanfare Lasts A Year (10/21)
• Glastonbury Farm That Opened In 1908 Fades Into 'Retirement' (10/26)

Controversy

• Cow Escapes Stafford Meat Packing Plant — Then Hit By SUV (7/11)
• CT Attorney General Sends Letter To M&T Over Conversion Complaints (9/15)
• Manchester Company Facing $907,000 OSHA Fine For Exposure Violations (9/16)
• Building Official Shuts Down Discount Retail Store In Stafford (10/21)
• Eversource CEO: Winter Charges Could Possibly Jump 20 to 40 Percent (11/4)
• Restricted Parking Around Enfield Pub Set To Begin (11/28)
• Suit: Glastonbury 3040 Main St. Dunkin' Not Authorized To Use Brand (12/12)

Acquisitions

• M&T Bank Acquisition Of People's United Becomes Official (4/4)
• New Restaurant To Take The Place Of Angellino's In Vernon: Official (4/11)
• Warehouse Point Fire District Acquires Former Bank Branch Next Door (5/5)
• Adjacent Small Businesses Expand In Shops Of East Granby (5/20)
• Old Friendly's In Manchester Could Become Cannabis Facility (7/18)
• Yale New Haven Puts Rockville Hospital Acquisition In Motion (10/6)
• Yale New Haven Officially Signs Deal To Acquire Manchester Hospital (10/6)
• Dog Barkery Expands Business Into Old Manchester Industrial Site (10/6)

The Winning Touch

• Attorney From Enfield Involved In Winning Record-Setting Civil Lawsuit (10/18)
• $100,000 Lottery Prize Claimed In Stafford On Last Day Of Scratch Game (10/21)
• Lottery Luck Continues In Ellington As $1 Million Prize Claimed (11/14)