Artsy Fixture In West Hartford Expanding Into Manchester

WEST HARTFORD/MANCHESTER, CT — A artsy fixture for years in West Hartford is expanding into a fixture in Manchester to accommodate its ever-increasing east of the Connecticut River business.

West Hartford's The Claypen has announced its intention to open The Firestone — a 5,000-square-foot art studio and Cafe at 1115 Main St., in Manchester, the site of the former Pinewood Furniture store.

It is the first applicant in Manchester's Downtown Loan Program, economic development officials said.

"We are excited and proud to announce our new sister location to The Claypen family — The Firestone art studio and café, which will be located in Manchester, " a post on the new Firestone website proclaimed.

The post continued, "With many customers coming from east of the river, we’ve had requests for years to have an option closer to home as well as a business need for a larger space to accommodate parties and events. We have been working behind the scenes for quite some time to find the perfect location to meet all these needs."

A fall opening is planned, owners said.

The Firestone will at first "shadow" the hours for its West Hasrtford location — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, but will likely "adapt them" on need. An earlier opening hour could be possible, considering The Firestone will be offering breakfast and coffee, owners said.

A "few" parking spots will be "attached" to the building, officials said.

The Claypen in West Hartford has been a fixture of "The Center" for more than two decades.

"Our intention is to grow as a small business, but keep our roots in West Hartford Center ever present," owners said. "This new location will allow us to meet a new audience of painters, some of whom have already been visiting us in WeHa for years, but now we’ll be a neighborhood location for them as well. We will also be able to accommodate more painters, more styles of art, more classes and events, and more guests for parties."

Why The Firestone?

The location has a long history in the Manchester as the home of Pinewood Furniture, owned and operated by Ed Firestone for more than 24 years. Firestone has been working closely with the new owners on the transition, officials said.

Firestone recently retired.