Salsa Fresca Stages Formal 'Grand Opening' In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill staged a "formal" grand opening for its newest location in West Hartford Wednesday.

Ceremonies began at 4 p.m. with West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and members of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce.

The West Harford location is the 11th Salsa Fresca to open and was actually online in December. Things were scaled back, however, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Long-time Salsa Fresca employees Sarah and Lester Valdes were the masterminds behind the West Hartford location as the company’s first official franchisees. Sarah, has been with Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill for 13 years and started at the company's very first location in 2008. Lester was the first employee at the second location.

Back in December, Sarah Valdes called the opening "an exciting opportunity for us."

She added, "We've been so fortunate to be able to see Salsa Fresca grow from the very beginning, and to be part of that adventure. We’re looking forward to making this restaurant be an integral part of this wonderful community, and appreciate all the support the citizens of West Hartford have shown us from the very first day."

The regional chain's formula centers around an "inclusive culture, and a strategy of creating a warm and welcoming environment at each location." Like all of the Salsa Fresca locations, the West Hartford site features an open kitchen concept, eco-friendly policies and a "clean and safe environment throughout," according to Eric Friedman, Salsa Fresca's COO in charge of growth initiatives.

He said in December that, within five years, chain officials hope to have at least 100 restaurants throughout New England.

The West Hartford restaurant is located at 345 North Main St.

Throughout the pandemic, the restaurant offend no-contact curbside pickups. Salsa Fresca was also ready because of long-established partnerships with third-party delivery networks, including Uber Eats, Grub Hub and Door Dash.

The West Hartford restaurant is in the Bishops Corner shopping area.

To see more go to www.salsafrescagrill.com.