Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Pulse of the Region, brought to you by
the Metro Hertford Alliance. The Metro Hertford Alliance collaborates with
investors and partners to elevate the Hertford region through economic
development work, convening the community and providing chamber support for
the City of Hartford. Learn more about their mission and
how to get involved at Metrohartford dot com. Pulse of
the Region is produced in partnership with oak Hill. Oak
(00:23):
Hill was originally founded as a school for the blind
in eighteen ninety three. Oak Hill has provided holistic, person
centered services for individuals with disabilities for over one hundred
and thirty years. With empowerment and independence as its guiding principles.
Oakhill works in partnership with the individuals it serves to
provide residential education and enrichment opportunities. Learn more at okillct
(00:48):
dot org. Now here's your host for Pulse of the Region,
Kate Bawman.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Hello, Hello, and welcome to Pulse of the Region, the
show where we get to highlight each week all of
the incredible things happen here throughout our business community, here
in our capital city of Hertford. I'm Kate Bowman here
in the iHeartMedia Studios today the Lovely Candy Cane Building
downtown and thrilled to have all of our guests. We
have a packed house here today, so a great show
(01:14):
lined up for you. And today we are getting the
pulse about the Heartlift showcase. So I'm telling you now
mark your calendars for October twenty fourth. At the event,
we are going to spotlight about twenty new Hertford restaurants
and retailers who are going to be serving up food,
drink samples, spotlighting their products and so much more. They'll
be music, everything. So today, very excited to talk more
(01:36):
about this as it really is a must attend event
for our business community for others throughout the community. So
as we talk about this, we're also then going to
hear updates about the Heartlift program as it continues to
provide opportunities to small business owners throughout the.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
City of Hertford.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
So to do all this I mentioned, We've got a
packed studio here with a lot of smiling guests. I'm
excited to introduce. So first from Liberty Bank, it is
Stephen Roach. He is their market president of a Greater
Hartford and also their regional manager Commercial Banking. I believe
I got that right, Stephen, but if I didn't, Okay,
good fantastic. Well welcome you back to Pulse.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Of the Region's good to be back again.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I think fantastic. We're excited to have you. And next
from Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlor. She is the creatrix and
the CEO, L'layania dubet so le'laynia. Welcome to Pulse of
the Region.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Thank you so much for having me, of course, and
I want your title. This is creat tricks, this is exciting.
Why do you make your own company? You can make
your own title.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
A good thing to learn. So fantastic. And next he
is with the Tropics Caribbean Grill.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
He is the owner. We welcome Gary Blake, So, Gary,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Good morning, Thank you for having me, of course.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Of course, no very thrilled to have you. And last,
but certainly not least, my colleague. She's with the Hertford
Chamber of Commerce. She is our heart Lift project manager.
We welcome Paige Burshett, So welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Thanks so much for having me. So excited to have
this conversation today. Exactly we have I mean so much
to talk about.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I'm going to try to see if we can extend
the thirty minutes because I think we might need more.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Right, so much going on with Heartlift, Yes, definitely, all right, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Well, first things first, I'm sure you know, hopefully many
of our listeners have heard shows before about the Heartlift project.
But Page, if you don't mind just giving high level
overview just about the initiative.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
So, through the Heartlift program, the Chamber has directed a
nine point five million dollars of ARPA funds to property
owners and business owners throughout the city, and those funds
are targeting vacant storefronts in both the downtown area and
neighborhoods and helping out with build out costs for the businesses.
(03:45):
So really great program that we have with the.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Chamber, definitely.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
And now with the Heartlift showcase, we're going to spotlight
a lot of these businesses.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Can you talk a little bit more about that event.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Yeah, So this event is really just an opportunity to
highlight a lot of these amazing business that have come
to Hartford, and it's a perfect opportunity to see some
of these new restaurants, retail spots, and be able to
get a sip and taste of what they have to offer.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I'm very excited, I know personally, so yes, me too.
I Love.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
We did the event last year as well, and I
think it was a great, great success. So we're excited
to see some of the newer businesses that opened up
this year and do what they have to offer.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Definitely, definitely, And with that as being the second year
in a row, this is our second year that we
have the privilege of partnering with Liberty Bank, and you know,
Steve so appreciative of our partnership between the MHA and
Liberty Bank. And this year you're once again the presenting
sponsor of the Heartlift showcase. So kind of before we
dive into that relationship with love, if you don't mind,
I'm sure will be a reminder to everyone, but give
(04:45):
listeners just a little bit reminder about who Liberty Bank
is and really kind of your footprint hearing for me, sure, Kate.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Thanks.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
So, Liberty Bank is celebrating us two hundred year in business,
which in itself is a rarity. We're headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut.
We're a seven a half billion dollar mutual bank which
means we're owned by the deposits, not by stockholders, so
it's a different way of managing the business. About four
years ago, David gled and our CEO recruited me away
(05:11):
from United Bank to come help build the commercial lending
practice of the bank. But I insisted that we have
a space in Hertford. He said, why so, Well, I
spent most of my career here, I live in the
area and I want to see Hartford do well and
this is right at COVID, so cann match those discussions.
But David saw the vision. We opened up a low
production office at Pearl Street. I'm glad to announce that
(05:32):
last year we expanded that space from a small four
office space and now of twelve people here in Hartford,
we're getting folks from the regions coming in on a
daily basis visiting. So it's just kind of exciting to
support the City of Hartford is our capital and we're
committed our bylines to be community kind. We're putting a
lot of effort and money into the city in terms
(05:53):
of loans and investing in projects much like this.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Definitely no doing so much for our small business community,
for the Hertford community as a whole, So thank you
so much for that, and you know, excite to you
some further introductions now to is Lelenia. We'll go to
you and is you are one of our newest tenants,
I would say, in Pratt Street here in Hertford. So
if you could talk to us about Hertford Flavor Cocktail Parlor.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Sure.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
So, we're three months old. Our parent company is Harford
Flavor Company. We're a distillery in Hertford and we're very
proud to bring a clean food, clean drink branded bar
concept to Pratt Street. We've done an extensive build out
and we are really excited to bring something incredibly special
(06:40):
to the Hartford area.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Definitely, and I will chime in it is special you
walk in. I don't know if Olenia, if you could
talk a little bit just about the certainly you know,
audio only isn't going to grasp just really kind of
the magic you feel when you walk in there, but
if you could highlight a bit as best you can.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Sure.
Speaker 5 (06:57):
So.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Our original logo is is the goddess Diana. She is
the huntress, She is the goddess of the Moon, and
so I wanted to imagine a place where she might
be able to let her hair down and have a
cocktail and maybe entertain. And so each room is divided
up into different spaces, different experiences, and they're all based
(07:19):
on one of.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
The sacred plants of Diana.
Speaker 7 (07:22):
So we have the Thistle Bar in purple and green,
and then we have pink flowering Almond Dining Room, which
is pink and green, almost springtime colors. Our Laurel Dining Room,
which is our event space for up to about forty
people seated, and that is Mountain Laurel, which is our
state flower, so I wanted to just get that in.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
There like that.
Speaker 7 (07:45):
And then the back room is our Oak room. It's richer, darker,
almost like a club feeling, but in rich dark greens,
and that is our oak room. And then we have
the private gold Old Booths, which is a crowd favorite
right now, so you can have any kind of experience
when you come in. It is lots of detail, lots
(08:08):
of rich lighting, with lighting and color, and I wanted
to make a place where I wanted to go something
beautiful and uh, of course farmed a table comfort gourmet,
comfort food, so we have lots of different offerings. Everything
is very well prepared, clean, and of course our cocktails
(08:28):
are totally amazing.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
They're unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I recently we were hosting a networking event there in
the back oak room, which was fantastic, and it was
a banana old fashioned.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Oh my gosh it was I need to go back
for another one, the banana, birch and bourbon. Yes, that
was pretty special.
Speaker 6 (08:46):
My wife made a reservation for next week.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I look forward to hosting.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
She told me this morning, so I didn't know it
was coming here, but now you're describing. Now I know
why she took the reservation.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
So that's exciting, lovely. I look forward to it. I
see we're a need to review that after.
Speaker 6 (09:01):
I was definitely definitely you talk bourbon, you got me.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Fantastic.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
No, it definitely such a you know, a bright spike
spot on on Prastreet and again kind of many new
restaurants throughout downtown and Gary would welcome for you to
tell us more about tropics Caribbean girl, who's also one
of the newer spots here in our capital city.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Yes, yes, yes, but how could I follow that?
Speaker 5 (09:24):
You know?
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Can I go with waiting nephew, rob Man, she's bourbon
over here? Can I follow?
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (09:32):
But yeah, trappic screaming grail. We're on the north side
of Hartford. You know, we're not downtown. We're you know, north,
which is you know, I'm actually happy to be a
part of the heart Lift when I look at the
map and see where we ended up. And because you know,
tropics is my take on like you know, Kingston meets Ocherias.
(09:55):
It's it's that that that Caribbean vibe. It's that my
home away from home. It's you know, when I step
out of my office or you know, busy day, it's
it's my getaway, you know. And that's why, you know,
like I said, we boast the rum Our. Rum Punch
is our signature drink, and it's it's just a quick getaway.
It's it's it's Jamaican street food, you know. So it's
(10:16):
all the jerks that you can handle. It's the jerk
check in, It's the jerk shrimp, jerk pork.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
We just added a jerk salmon and uh yeah, and
we're going to be introducing our ox tale taco mash
up with some plant in fry. So you know, it's
it's a it's a it's a cool Caribbean vibe and
that's and that's we you know, that's what we've bring.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
To the table.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
It definitely sounds that I have not been yet, but
it is on top of my liston after you just
described this, it is now number one on my list.
So hopefully you'll see me the next week or so,
but certainly.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Hold you to that you should.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Fantastic So, you know, certainly so many new opportunities. And Paige,
if you could talk a little bit more on just
how many grants have been awarded through the Heartlift program
which are helping to support open new establishments throughout the city.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
Yeah, so today we have committed funds for seventy five
small businesses in Hertford, which I think we're really really
proud of. And of those businesses, forty one are actually open,
which is amazing, and many many more are under construction.
And hopefully we'll have some ribbon cuttings here in the
(11:25):
following weeks and months and into next year, so lots
more to celebrate, but we're looking forward to visiting all
the places that have opened so far.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Definitely, And Lelina and Gary, I'll pose this next question
to each of you and you know, really what did
it mean? You know both of you are heartlift recipients
your establishments. If you can talk a little bit about
just what is this grant has meant, you know, for
each of your restaurants and establishments, Leny'll start with you.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Sure.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
So when we heard about the program, we were incredibly excited.
We were searching for a space somewhere in Hartford, and
it gave us the ability to think a little larger
to make sure that we were able to do something fully.
The funds made it so it was a definite green
light maybe then should we or shouldn't we? And so
(12:14):
it was amazingly helpful and incredibly supportive in a difficult
time coming out of COVID for my business, for everyone's business, definitely,
and it was it was a little ray of light.
And I'm really proud of Hartford having this program. I
know it was nationally recognized as the best use of
COVID funds and I'm so proud to be a part
(12:34):
of that. I think it's just absolutely amazing that there
was real vision and we were able to get this
done for the city of Hartford. I'm big into community
and this is all about building community. And basically economy
starts from small business, right, so this is exactly where
(12:55):
we should be putting the money to regrow our region.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Definitely, and Gary would love for you to chime in
on that too. Is just really kind of.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
What has the heart Lift grant grant, you know, really
meant to tropics and.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
To you Well, the Heartleft program was kind of the
hub and it's it sounds weird saying it, but we
were at a pivotal point. You know. I had all
these big, grand ideas of what I wanted to do,
but it was it was hard to sell it to
a bank. It was hard to walk into a bank
and say, hey, I want to do a patio with umbrellas,
you know on the north end of Hartford. They looked
(13:30):
at me like I was crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
You know, They're like, what is this guy talking about?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
So, you know, let's just say I was getting turned
down so that that you know, it was post COVID,
you know, and everybody was, I guess, being a bit
aggressive in terms of their ideas and what they wanted
to do. I had my wallet out, I was ready
to go, this is what I wanted to do when
nobody was stopping me. But the funding wasn't there, you know,
(13:54):
so it really slowed the process. When I was introduced
to Heartlift program, that really opened the way to get
this done. And you know, I'm happy and proud to
be a part of it. And hopefully there are more
programs like this and people will take advantage of it.
But it was a great stepping stone for us. Definitely.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Definitely, No, that's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
And Paige, you know you're able to work with a
lot of the other business owners too, and can you
kind of share some of their sentiments too about the program.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
Yeah, I would say it's been a great help because,
like kind of Gary highlighted, I think after COVID, you know,
people had these great ideas, but they weren't maybe necessarily
had to access to all the funding. And also I
think it's been a great help to connect both the
property owners and the business owners with some of these
(14:42):
build out costs, because you know, a lot of the
tenant spaces in both downtown and the neighborhoods maybe needed
a lot of work, and so this was a really
good opportunity to say, you know what, we see that
some of these these vacant sorefronts, they need a lot
of work, but we want to make the investment because
we can see that long term growth for both, you know,
(15:03):
downtown and the neighborhoods, and I think you know both
the businesses we have here today are a really really
great example of that. And I love, like, I totally
love what you've done with the spaces because I saw
photos from before and it's it's honestly wild to see
the transformation.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
And both the Elenya and Garyart are nodding your heads
a lot there.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Please please shake the mic.
Speaker 7 (15:25):
Yeah, my space was a complete gut. It was a restaurant,
but it had been vacant for twelve years previous to
me looking at it, so now fourteen years and it
was I needed everything, absolutely absolutely everything, and then there
were surprises even on top of that. So of course
money runs up, but it's really a dramatic transformation and
(15:47):
people come in and they're like, this wasn't here. No,
we wanted to build something that could have been here
that gives a nod to old Hartford, because I don't
think there's enough of those spaces are so yes, the
funds made it so that we could get more detail,
be more thorough and make something that was truly spectacular.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Well for me, I just looked back at the old
pictures and said, bo was I thinking, how did I
ever think we could.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Do this.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
For me?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
And there's nothing wrong without that?
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, it's you know, it's just to say it's night
and day. We've come a long way, you know, and
we're still working at it. There's still things to be done,
but you know, we're proud of where we are.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
How's the community reacted to.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
The gunnity is? You know, they've welcomed us with open arms.
And I hear the stories all the time, you know,
and people walk in and I used to sit here,
or this needs to be my favorite spot, or this
used to be my chair. But this is completely through sixty.
It's like, how did you even envision this? You know,
it's just like how could you open it up like this?
It's airy, it's light, It's exactly what we wanted, you know,
with that space. So you know, we couldn't vaccinate anything better.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Okay, yeah, very nice. And with all this is heartless showcase,
as we touched on it early in the show, but
is really the goal but for this event is to
highlight all of the many I shouldn't say all so
you don't have enough space unfortunately, but you know, as
many new restaurants and retailers as we can at the event,
and also introduced the business community, so making sure they
(17:13):
know where they can go to lunch, go for happy hours,
dinners after work. So with that, you know, is the
showcase again sponsored by Liberty Bank and see if you
can talk a little bit just about why is it
so important to really get involved here?
Speaker 6 (17:27):
Yeah, I mean it's a good question, and I look
at it personally. I've been in Hartford business as a
banker for probably thirty years, and I've seen numerous ups
and downs in the economy, and I've heard all the
negatives about Hartford, but I'm a big fan of Hartford.
So it's incite And see two new businesses come in
COVID hit and really took a really a shot to
the gut. And prior to that, I was with United
(17:50):
Bank and I remember going home one night and said,
there's a lot of activity going on Hartford and all
skeptics said, a lotsclouse. There was a basketball game. Where's
a hockey game? I said, no, it's seven o'clock. And
I was in the office, and we was just people
walking around Hartford and I hadn't seen that in years
since Prattrade had retail on it. So and then COVID
hit and then we took a step backwards. And this
(18:11):
program is encouraging from the bank's point of view. Lending
money is a banker to restaurants, one of the highest
risk things we can do. Being involved in a program
like this where the States stepping in funding the money
to get off the ground, I think it's a great
sign because there's more as of today. Just look around
number of cars coming into Hartford every day. It's in
the last two years. It truly increased dramatically. The foot
traffic during the day is increasing dramatically. And we're still
(18:33):
striving for restaurants. I'm I'm the banker for the Max
Downtown Group and they've done remarkably well since. But that's
all we have. So seeing new companies pop up with
different ideas, different concepts, and with the flood of people
moving in. We finance one of the major apartment complex
here in the city and they have a huge waiting
list to get in. I said, what's the issue? He said, Well,
(18:54):
most of the people here work either in New York
or Boston. So while they're living in Hartford, because again
typical cynical reaction, you said, because they're working remote and
they get more for the money in Hartford. So if
that's the case, then this is like yours opening up.
Now give them Sunday to do on Saturday and Sunday
or the days they're working from home. So I think
(19:15):
the timing is good. I'm just not beat about the
city and Celebrity's big commitment is is to our communities
to give back, and that's what we're involved.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
That's great, no, thank you so much and a lot
of excitement at the event.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Aleena and Gary, if we can get both of you
will be there a sneak peek maybe on what you'll
be sampling.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
Sure, So of course we do cocktails right har Per
Flavor Company and Wild Moon Liqueurs, so we'll definitely have
a sample of a cocktail, and I'd like to also
mix it up this year and do a sample of
a mocktail. Cocktails are coming in very strong, and we
do have a strong mocktail program. I think it's important
to be able to drink responsibly and also sometimes you
(19:58):
just don't want to, So we'll be putting little bit
of an emphasis on that, and we'll also have some
of our desserts. So i'd like to showcase our pastry chef.
Now I'm a high tower. She is a genius, I say,
and I can't wait to show the world.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
What she can do. Okay, Oh nice, all right, I'm
getting hungry more notes now, and.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
A bourbon would be really good.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Okay, that sounds good.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
So I think we'll have a care cake, which is
absolutely amazing, and maybe a couple of small suites.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Oh, this will be good, all right, Gary, what are
you thinking?
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Well, we're, like I said, we just introduced our our
ox tale, so we're going to be sampling that. We
want to get a feedback of how that will do.
So we're definitely going to be bringing our ox tails
down there if everything is good. On the drink side,
we want to bring a commercial version of our rum
Punch since we're boasting that and we are going to
be the flagship saying that now for rum Punch and
(20:55):
kind of introducing that, so we want to bring a
sample of that as well, along with a couple of
our margarita you know, tastings Okay.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
This is this sounds like a great a'bsold on. Just
if if you guys are the only two there, I
think we'll be. We'll have plenty of food and drink, so,
but we will have many others too soon a page.
Could you touch a little bit on just some of
the other establishments that'll be that'll be there sampling throughout that.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Yeah, really excited.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
We have a number of other restaurants joining us who'll
have a kind of taste of their menu, and that
will include Urban Lodge Brewing Company, so another Pratt Street
favorite for folks. And then we have City Kabab House
and Linsten which are just south on Main Street, and
they'll also be sampling some of their menu.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
And Emery's Birkins on Maine. Let's see who else? Do
we have Social House, the Hot House?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Wise, guys. Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
So there's a lot of different restaurants and retailers that
you can look forward to seeing, getting a taste of
their menu, maybe even doing a little shopping while you're there.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
So I like it.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
So we're going to drink rum punch and then we're
going to do shopping. This is going to be my
kind of night.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
This is honestly perfect itenerary.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
And one thing I want to touch on also is
Social House because that's gonna be a great interactive experience.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
Yeah, so they're kind of a paint and sip and
also kind of social interactions Selfie House in Hertford downtown,
So they're going to have a booth where you can
you know, take selfies, have some interactive kind of fun
activities at the event. So definitely looking forward to having
them there.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Fantastic. And then music as well, Oh yeah, we'll definitely
have a DJ.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
Parkville Sounds will be there helping us dj for the event,
so definitely some good music will be there too.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
A lot of good stuff. And where can listeners go
to get tickets for the event?
Speaker 5 (22:43):
Yeah, so you can visit our website Hertford chamberst dot
com and you can buy tickets there.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Fantastic.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
So in addition to Heartlift Showcase, is also a lot
of other things coming up, you know, throughout the coming
months throughout the community. So Steve Liberty Bank, is you've
touched on really support it's so much in our local community.
So if you talk a little bit on what else
is on the calendar for the back part of the year,
I guess, well, well, I.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Know so far as they were sponsoring the Connecticut Science
Center Annual Gala coming up this Saturday. Yes, we're a
big sponsor for Covenant Preps annual golf tournament. And after that,
there's a whole bunch of other things going on, and
the list is long. We seem to be doing two
or three events per month.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
All year long.
Speaker 6 (23:25):
Okay, but those are the things the most recent. The
rest of this.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Month, you no, I feel like you always see the
b community kind shirts out, so which is a good thing, right.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
Yeah, and are very active and you managed Household for Humanity.
We're out helping out building houses and stuff in the community.
So pretty active in a variety of different things.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Okay, fantastic, And where could listeners learn more about all
these community efforts and the bank itself.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
Our website, Well, the list of things that were involved
in things are upcoming events that are there, So that's
the best.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Way to do it, Okay, nice and Alina, what is upcoming?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
What's upcoming? But I mean Steve's coming for dinner next week,
so I think. But anything else in terms of events
or you know, things happening for the holidays too, which
are right around the corner.
Speaker 7 (24:11):
Sure, we're going to be doing a whole bunch of stuff.
It'll be listed on our website, Harperflavor dot com. We
have probably a little Halloween event. We'll see exactly what
it looks like. But I'd like to get some maybe
an eggar Allen Poe reading or something it just to
make it.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
A little funky.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Of course, cocktails with smoke. We'll be opening at some
point in the fall for brunch and afternoon tea, so
we're getting that service ready lined up. Yeah, there's something
like that around here, so I want to be able
to provide that. Let's see, for Thanksgiving, we'll be probably
(24:51):
open that day, so that's going to be there's not
that many places is going to be open in right
in Hartford, so we're excited for that. And then I
know definitely we'll be having a party four.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
New Year's Eve.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Nice, so there'll be a couple of seatings, maybe an
early dinner and then a ticketed party after. Okay, So
I'm really looking forward and planning that one right now.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Very nice, a lot of good stuff on the horizon,
and one thing I know, I've had several people ask me,
is your tasting room in the Colt neighborhood is that
is still is still open even with the addition to
the new restaurant, So if you could share a little
bit about that.
Speaker 7 (25:26):
Yeah, absolutely so. Thirty Arbor Street in the back of
the building is our original distillery location with tasting room.
Of course, it's very popular still on Fridays and Saturdays,
Friday four to eight and Saturday twelve to six.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Nice.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
So, and that's a tour and taste and cocktail and
it's really fun. You get to see how we make it.
You get to see the sample wall with all the herbs,
which is really exciting my flavor library.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Oh wo, I've been.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
On the tour before and I can highly highly recommend it.
It was a really really great experience and I think
a great date night option if you ever need one,
but also good to do with friends or family too.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
And we're getting many people going first to a tour
and then coming for dinner, which is great.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Oh, very fun.
Speaker 7 (26:15):
Yeah, you get both experiences, which has really been actually
quite popular.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Okay, Oh I like that. All right, this is so Steve.
Maybe you could surprise your wife, you could do a
cocktail before.
Speaker 6 (26:26):
I think it's Friday night, so I think I'm probably
gonna meet her there.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Fantastic And Gary, what's coming up for Tropics Caribbean Grow.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
I'm just gonna close. We're gonna go to wean't please
don't do that. So we have we have we're doing
a Halloween event as well. We're bringing in a live
rigged man that's going to be playing in costume. We've
never had that. And uh, we're going to be doing
our Devil Purple punch and we're gonna be doing We're
gonna be open early for the kids as well, so
(26:58):
they can do you know, trick or tree and we'll
do a red Devil punch for them. Of course virgin
you know, so that the kidies can run around and
get goodie bags and everything like that. And of course
New Year's Eve, it's always, you know, something to look
forward to. I can't say yet, but we are working
on a big artist from Jamaica to come in and
do a performance on New Year's Eve.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
So okay, you know that's that's what we got. A posts.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Yeah, very cool And where can listeners go to learn
more about Tropics Go.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
On Facebook Tropics Do Ultra you see everything's supposed there.
We're on Instagram as well, uh, snapchat x you know
all that good stuff.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
All right.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
The website is under construction, okay, all.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Nice, very good, very good and page anything upcoming for
the Chamber or I know a lot of things, yeah,
definitely a couple.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
Yeah, so, I mean, besides the showcase, which we're obviously
very very excited about, we also have a Hustle our
networking event coming up in November, so stay tuned on
the announcement for the location for that. That'll be our
last of the year, so definitely looking forward to a
really great turnout and always good to have you know,
a good, good mix of people at that event.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Okay, very good.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
And where can people go again to register for the
heart Lift showcase for that event?
Speaker 5 (28:08):
Yeah, so I would say just visit our website, Hertford
Chambers CT dot com. And I would also say check
out our Instagram and Facebook for kind of regular updates
on the showcase and also other events and happenings that
are going on with the Chamber.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Okay, I like it, And Lelena, did I miss having
you give our your website and more information on on
Hartford Flavor I'm second guessing myself in my head, so
I'm going to give you the mic again.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
Harperflavor dot com is our website. Of course, you can
check us out at heart for Flavor on Instagram and Facebook. Actually,
I hear that there's lots of videos out on TikTok
right now, which, oh, I guess there's a whole thing
going on that I have no I have no way
to do that, but.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
It's kind of exciting.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (28:54):
Yes, we're constantly posting we're going to be launching the
Fall menu in a couple of maybe next week, as
well as the Paul Cocktail menu. So I'm very excited
with stuff that's coming down the pike.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Lovely fantastic, Well, thank you all so much for being
on the show today.
Speaker 3 (29:11):
Again.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Reminder, October twenty fourth is the Heartlift showcase case where
you can check out many of the new restaurants and
retailers here in Hartford, but also come to Hertford, come
to the city, plan a night out, plan a day out,
bring your family, bring your friends. So certainly a lot
of great opportunities. So thank you all so much for
all each of you doing, individually and.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Collectively to really help support our capital today.
Speaker 7 (29:33):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Thanks Kate having us of course, of course, so for
all the details about today's show, you can visit pulseoftheregion
dot com. A big thank you to our show partner Okill,
and of course thanks to you for listening. We hope
to see you on October twenty fourth. I'm Kate Allman.
Go out and make today a good day here in
Connecticut and here in Hertford.
Welcome to Pulse of the Region, brought to you by
the Metro Hertford Alliance. The Metro Hertford Alliance collaborates with
investors and partners to elevate the Hertford region through economic
development work, convening the community and providing chamber support for
the City of Hartford. Learn more about their mission and
how to get involved at Metrohartford dot com. Pulse of
the Region is produced in partnership with oak Hill. Oak
(00:23):
Hill was originally founded as a school for the blind
in eighteen ninety three. Oak Hill has provided holistic, person
centered services for individuals with disabilities for over one hundred
and thirty years. With empowerment and independence as its guiding principles.
Oakhill works in partnership with the individuals it serves to
provide residential education and enrichment opportunities. Learn more at okillct
(00:48):
dot org. Now here's your host for Pulse of the Region,
Kate Bawman.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Hello, Hello, and welcome to Pulse of the Region, the
show where we get to highlight each week all of
the incredible things happen here throughout our business community, here
in our capital city of Hertford. I'm Kate Bowman here
in the iHeartMedia Studios today the Lovely Candy Cane Building
downtown and thrilled to have all of our guests. We
have a packed house here today, so a great show
(01:14):
lined up for you. And today we are getting the
pulse about the Heartlift showcase. So I'm telling you now
mark your calendars for October twenty fourth. At the event,
we are going to spotlight about twenty new Hertford restaurants
and retailers who are going to be serving up food,
drink samples, spotlighting their products and so much more. They'll
be music, everything. So today, very excited to talk more
(01:36):
about this as it really is a must attend event
for our business community for others throughout the community. So
as we talk about this, we're also then going to
hear updates about the Heartlift program as it continues to
provide opportunities to small business owners throughout the.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
City of Hertford.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
So to do all this I mentioned, We've got a
packed studio here with a lot of smiling guests. I'm
excited to introduce. So first from Liberty Bank, it is
Stephen Roach. He is their market president of a Greater
Hartford and also their regional manager Commercial Banking. I believe
I got that right, Stephen, but if I didn't, Okay,
good fantastic. Well welcome you back to Pulse.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Of the Region's good to be back again.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I think fantastic. We're excited to have you. And next
from Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlor. She is the creatrix and
the CEO, L'layania dubet so le'laynia. Welcome to Pulse of
the Region.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Thank you so much for having me, of course, and
I want your title. This is creat tricks, this is exciting.
Why do you make your own company? You can make
your own title.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
A good thing to learn. So fantastic. And next he
is with the Tropics Caribbean Grill.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
He is the owner. We welcome Gary Blake, So, Gary,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Good morning, Thank you for having me, of course.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Of course, no very thrilled to have you. And last,
but certainly not least, my colleague. She's with the Hertford
Chamber of Commerce. She is our heart Lift project manager.
We welcome Paige Burshett, So welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Thanks so much for having me. So excited to have
this conversation today. Exactly we have I mean so much
to talk about.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I'm going to try to see if we can extend
the thirty minutes because I think we might need more.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Right, so much going on with Heartlift, Yes, definitely, all right, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Well, first things first, I'm sure you know, hopefully many
of our listeners have heard shows before about the Heartlift project.
But Page, if you don't mind just giving high level
overview just about the initiative.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
So, through the Heartlift program, the Chamber has directed a
nine point five million dollars of ARPA funds to property
owners and business owners throughout the city, and those funds
are targeting vacant storefronts in both the downtown area and
neighborhoods and helping out with build out costs for the businesses.
(03:45):
So really great program that we have with the.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Chamber, definitely.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
And now with the Heartlift showcase, we're going to spotlight
a lot of these businesses.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Can you talk a little bit more about that event.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Yeah, So this event is really just an opportunity to
highlight a lot of these amazing business that have come
to Hartford, and it's a perfect opportunity to see some
of these new restaurants, retail spots, and be able to
get a sip and taste of what they have to offer.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I'm very excited, I know personally, so yes, me too.
I Love.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
We did the event last year as well, and I
think it was a great, great success. So we're excited
to see some of the newer businesses that opened up
this year and do what they have to offer.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Definitely, definitely, And with that as being the second year
in a row, this is our second year that we
have the privilege of partnering with Liberty Bank, and you know,
Steve so appreciative of our partnership between the MHA and
Liberty Bank. And this year you're once again the presenting
sponsor of the Heartlift showcase. So kind of before we
dive into that relationship with love, if you don't mind,
I'm sure will be a reminder to everyone, but give
(04:45):
listeners just a little bit reminder about who Liberty Bank
is and really kind of your footprint hearing for me, sure, Kate.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Thanks.
Speaker 6 (04:51):
So, Liberty Bank is celebrating us two hundred year in business,
which in itself is a rarity. We're headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut.
We're a seven a half billion dollar mutual bank which
means we're owned by the deposits, not by stockholders, so
it's a different way of managing the business. About four
years ago, David gled and our CEO recruited me away
(05:11):
from United Bank to come help build the commercial lending
practice of the bank. But I insisted that we have
a space in Hertford. He said, why so, Well, I
spent most of my career here, I live in the
area and I want to see Hartford do well and
this is right at COVID, so cann match those discussions.
But David saw the vision. We opened up a low
production office at Pearl Street. I'm glad to announce that
(05:32):
last year we expanded that space from a small four
office space and now of twelve people here in Hartford,
we're getting folks from the regions coming in on a
daily basis visiting. So it's just kind of exciting to
support the City of Hartford is our capital and we're
committed our bylines to be community kind. We're putting a
lot of effort and money into the city in terms
(05:53):
of loans and investing in projects much like this.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Definitely no doing so much for our small business community,
for the Hertford community as a whole, So thank you
so much for that, and you know, excite to you
some further introductions now to is Lelenia. We'll go to
you and is you are one of our newest tenants,
I would say, in Pratt Street here in Hertford. So
if you could talk to us about Hertford Flavor Cocktail Parlor.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Sure.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
So, we're three months old. Our parent company is Harford
Flavor Company. We're a distillery in Hertford and we're very
proud to bring a clean food, clean drink branded bar
concept to Pratt Street. We've done an extensive build out
and we are really excited to bring something incredibly special
(06:40):
to the Hartford area.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Definitely, and I will chime in it is special you
walk in. I don't know if Olenia, if you could
talk a little bit just about the certainly you know,
audio only isn't going to grasp just really kind of
the magic you feel when you walk in there, but
if you could highlight a bit as best you can.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Sure.
Speaker 5 (06:57):
So.
Speaker 7 (06:58):
Our original logo is is the goddess Diana. She is
the huntress, She is the goddess of the Moon, and
so I wanted to imagine a place where she might
be able to let her hair down and have a
cocktail and maybe entertain. And so each room is divided
up into different spaces, different experiences, and they're all based
(07:19):
on one of.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
The sacred plants of Diana.
Speaker 7 (07:22):
So we have the Thistle Bar in purple and green,
and then we have pink flowering Almond Dining Room, which
is pink and green, almost springtime colors. Our Laurel Dining Room,
which is our event space for up to about forty
people seated, and that is Mountain Laurel, which is our
state flower, so I wanted to just get that in.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
There like that.
Speaker 7 (07:45):
And then the back room is our Oak room. It's richer, darker,
almost like a club feeling, but in rich dark greens,
and that is our oak room. And then we have
the private gold Old Booths, which is a crowd favorite
right now, so you can have any kind of experience
when you come in. It is lots of detail, lots
(08:08):
of rich lighting, with lighting and color, and I wanted
to make a place where I wanted to go something
beautiful and uh, of course farmed a table comfort gourmet,
comfort food, so we have lots of different offerings. Everything
is very well prepared, clean, and of course our cocktails
(08:28):
are totally amazing.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
They're unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I recently we were hosting a networking event there in
the back oak room, which was fantastic, and it was
a banana old fashioned.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Oh my gosh it was I need to go back
for another one, the banana, birch and bourbon. Yes, that
was pretty special.
Speaker 6 (08:46):
My wife made a reservation for next week.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I look forward to hosting.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
She told me this morning, so I didn't know it
was coming here, but now you're describing. Now I know
why she took the reservation.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
So that's exciting, lovely. I look forward to it. I
see we're a need to review that after.
Speaker 6 (09:01):
I was definitely definitely you talk bourbon, you got me.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Fantastic.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
No, it definitely such a you know, a bright spike
spot on on Prastreet and again kind of many new
restaurants throughout downtown and Gary would welcome for you to
tell us more about tropics Caribbean girl, who's also one
of the newer spots here in our capital city.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Yes, yes, yes, but how could I follow that?
Speaker 5 (09:24):
You know?
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Can I go with waiting nephew, rob Man, she's bourbon
over here? Can I follow?
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (09:32):
But yeah, trappic screaming grail. We're on the north side
of Hartford. You know, we're not downtown. We're you know, north,
which is you know, I'm actually happy to be a
part of the heart Lift when I look at the
map and see where we ended up. And because you know,
tropics is my take on like you know, Kingston meets Ocherias.
(09:55):
It's it's that that that Caribbean vibe. It's that my
home away from home. It's you know, when I step
out of my office or you know, busy day, it's
it's my getaway, you know. And that's why, you know,
like I said, we boast the rum Our. Rum Punch
is our signature drink, and it's it's just a quick getaway.
It's it's it's Jamaican street food, you know. So it's
(10:16):
all the jerks that you can handle. It's the jerk
check in, It's the jerk shrimp, jerk pork.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
We just added a jerk salmon and uh yeah, and
we're going to be introducing our ox tale taco mash
up with some plant in fry. So you know, it's
it's a it's a it's a cool Caribbean vibe and
that's and that's we you know, that's what we've bring.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
To the table.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
It definitely sounds that I have not been yet, but
it is on top of my liston after you just
described this, it is now number one on my list.
So hopefully you'll see me the next week or so,
but certainly.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Hold you to that you should.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Fantastic So, you know, certainly so many new opportunities. And Paige,
if you could talk a little bit more on just
how many grants have been awarded through the Heartlift program
which are helping to support open new establishments throughout the city.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
Yeah, so today we have committed funds for seventy five
small businesses in Hertford, which I think we're really really
proud of. And of those businesses, forty one are actually open,
which is amazing, and many many more are under construction.
And hopefully we'll have some ribbon cuttings here in the
(11:25):
following weeks and months and into next year, so lots
more to celebrate, but we're looking forward to visiting all
the places that have opened so far.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Definitely, And Lelina and Gary, I'll pose this next question
to each of you and you know, really what did
it mean? You know both of you are heartlift recipients
your establishments. If you can talk a little bit about
just what is this grant has meant, you know, for
each of your restaurants and establishments, Leny'll start with you.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Sure.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
So when we heard about the program, we were incredibly excited.
We were searching for a space somewhere in Hartford, and
it gave us the ability to think a little larger
to make sure that we were able to do something fully.
The funds made it so it was a definite green
light maybe then should we or shouldn't we? And so
(12:14):
it was amazingly helpful and incredibly supportive in a difficult
time coming out of COVID for my business, for everyone's business, definitely,
and it was it was a little ray of light.
And I'm really proud of Hartford having this program. I
know it was nationally recognized as the best use of
COVID funds and I'm so proud to be a part
(12:34):
of that. I think it's just absolutely amazing that there
was real vision and we were able to get this
done for the city of Hartford. I'm big into community
and this is all about building community. And basically economy
starts from small business, right, so this is exactly where
(12:55):
we should be putting the money to regrow our region.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Definitely, and Gary would love for you to chime in
on that too. Is just really kind of.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
What has the heart Lift grant grant, you know, really
meant to tropics and.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
To you Well, the Heartleft program was kind of the
hub and it's it sounds weird saying it, but we
were at a pivotal point. You know. I had all
these big, grand ideas of what I wanted to do,
but it was it was hard to sell it to
a bank. It was hard to walk into a bank
and say, hey, I want to do a patio with umbrellas,
you know on the north end of Hartford. They looked
(13:30):
at me like I was crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
You know, They're like, what is this guy talking about?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
So, you know, let's just say I was getting turned
down so that that you know, it was post COVID,
you know, and everybody was, I guess, being a bit
aggressive in terms of their ideas and what they wanted
to do. I had my wallet out, I was ready
to go, this is what I wanted to do when
nobody was stopping me. But the funding wasn't there, you know,
(13:54):
so it really slowed the process. When I was introduced
to Heartlift program, that really opened the way to get
this done. And you know, I'm happy and proud to
be a part of it. And hopefully there are more
programs like this and people will take advantage of it.
But it was a great stepping stone for us. Definitely.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Definitely, No, that's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
And Paige, you know you're able to work with a
lot of the other business owners too, and can you
kind of share some of their sentiments too about the program.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
Yeah, I would say it's been a great help because,
like kind of Gary highlighted, I think after COVID, you know,
people had these great ideas, but they weren't maybe necessarily
had to access to all the funding. And also I
think it's been a great help to connect both the
property owners and the business owners with some of these
(14:42):
build out costs, because you know, a lot of the
tenant spaces in both downtown and the neighborhoods maybe needed
a lot of work, and so this was a really
good opportunity to say, you know what, we see that
some of these these vacant sorefronts, they need a lot
of work, but we want to make the investment because
we can see that long term growth for both, you know,
(15:03):
downtown and the neighborhoods, and I think you know both
the businesses we have here today are a really really
great example of that. And I love, like, I totally
love what you've done with the spaces because I saw
photos from before and it's it's honestly wild to see
the transformation.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
And both the Elenya and Garyart are nodding your heads
a lot there.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Please please shake the mic.
Speaker 7 (15:25):
Yeah, my space was a complete gut. It was a restaurant,
but it had been vacant for twelve years previous to
me looking at it, so now fourteen years and it
was I needed everything, absolutely absolutely everything, and then there
were surprises even on top of that. So of course
money runs up, but it's really a dramatic transformation and
(15:47):
people come in and they're like, this wasn't here. No,
we wanted to build something that could have been here
that gives a nod to old Hartford, because I don't
think there's enough of those spaces are so yes, the
funds made it so that we could get more detail,
be more thorough and make something that was truly spectacular.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Well for me, I just looked back at the old
pictures and said, bo was I thinking, how did I
ever think we could.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Do this.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
For me?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
And there's nothing wrong without that?
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, it's you know, it's just to say it's night
and day. We've come a long way, you know, and
we're still working at it. There's still things to be done,
but you know, we're proud of where we are.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
How's the community reacted to.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
The gunnity is? You know, they've welcomed us with open arms.
And I hear the stories all the time, you know,
and people walk in and I used to sit here,
or this needs to be my favorite spot, or this
used to be my chair. But this is completely through sixty.
It's like, how did you even envision this? You know,
it's just like how could you open it up like this?
It's airy, it's light, It's exactly what we wanted, you know,
with that space. So you know, we couldn't vaccinate anything better.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Okay, yeah, very nice. And with all this is heartless showcase,
as we touched on it early in the show, but
is really the goal but for this event is to
highlight all of the many I shouldn't say all so
you don't have enough space unfortunately, but you know, as
many new restaurants and retailers as we can at the event,
and also introduced the business community, so making sure they
(17:13):
know where they can go to lunch, go for happy hours,
dinners after work. So with that, you know, is the
showcase again sponsored by Liberty Bank and see if you
can talk a little bit just about why is it
so important to really get involved here?
Speaker 6 (17:27):
Yeah, I mean it's a good question, and I look
at it personally. I've been in Hartford business as a
banker for probably thirty years, and I've seen numerous ups
and downs in the economy, and I've heard all the
negatives about Hartford, but I'm a big fan of Hartford.
So it's incite And see two new businesses come in
COVID hit and really took a really a shot to
the gut. And prior to that, I was with United
(17:50):
Bank and I remember going home one night and said,
there's a lot of activity going on Hartford and all
skeptics said, a lotsclouse. There was a basketball game. Where's
a hockey game? I said, no, it's seven o'clock. And
I was in the office, and we was just people
walking around Hartford and I hadn't seen that in years
since Prattrade had retail on it. So and then COVID
hit and then we took a step backwards. And this
(18:11):
program is encouraging from the bank's point of view. Lending
money is a banker to restaurants, one of the highest
risk things we can do. Being involved in a program
like this where the States stepping in funding the money
to get off the ground, I think it's a great
sign because there's more as of today. Just look around
number of cars coming into Hartford every day. It's in
the last two years. It truly increased dramatically. The foot
traffic during the day is increasing dramatically. And we're still
(18:33):
striving for restaurants. I'm I'm the banker for the Max
Downtown Group and they've done remarkably well since. But that's
all we have. So seeing new companies pop up with
different ideas, different concepts, and with the flood of people
moving in. We finance one of the major apartment complex
here in the city and they have a huge waiting
list to get in. I said, what's the issue? He said, Well,
(18:54):
most of the people here work either in New York
or Boston. So while they're living in Hartford, because again
typical cynical reaction, you said, because they're working remote and
they get more for the money in Hartford. So if
that's the case, then this is like yours opening up.
Now give them Sunday to do on Saturday and Sunday
or the days they're working from home. So I think
(19:15):
the timing is good. I'm just not beat about the
city and Celebrity's big commitment is is to our communities
to give back, and that's what we're involved.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
That's great, no, thank you so much and a lot
of excitement at the event.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Aleena and Gary, if we can get both of you
will be there a sneak peek maybe on what you'll
be sampling.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
Sure, So of course we do cocktails right har Per
Flavor Company and Wild Moon Liqueurs, so we'll definitely have
a sample of a cocktail, and I'd like to also
mix it up this year and do a sample of
a mocktail. Cocktails are coming in very strong, and we
do have a strong mocktail program. I think it's important
to be able to drink responsibly and also sometimes you
(19:58):
just don't want to, So we'll be putting little bit
of an emphasis on that, and we'll also have some
of our desserts. So i'd like to showcase our pastry chef.
Now I'm a high tower. She is a genius, I say,
and I can't wait to show the world.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
What she can do. Okay, Oh nice, all right, I'm
getting hungry more notes now, and.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
A bourbon would be really good.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Okay, that sounds good.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
So I think we'll have a care cake, which is
absolutely amazing, and maybe a couple of small suites.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Oh, this will be good, all right, Gary, what are
you thinking?
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Well, we're, like I said, we just introduced our our
ox tale, so we're going to be sampling that. We
want to get a feedback of how that will do.
So we're definitely going to be bringing our ox tails
down there if everything is good. On the drink side,
we want to bring a commercial version of our rum
Punch since we're boasting that and we are going to
be the flagship saying that now for rum Punch and
(20:55):
kind of introducing that, so we want to bring a
sample of that as well, along with a couple of
our margarita you know, tastings Okay.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
This is this sounds like a great a'bsold on. Just
if if you guys are the only two there, I
think we'll be. We'll have plenty of food and drink, so,
but we will have many others too soon a page.
Could you touch a little bit on just some of
the other establishments that'll be that'll be there sampling throughout that.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Yeah, really excited.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
We have a number of other restaurants joining us who'll
have a kind of taste of their menu, and that
will include Urban Lodge Brewing Company, so another Pratt Street
favorite for folks. And then we have City Kabab House
and Linsten which are just south on Main Street, and
they'll also be sampling some of their menu.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
And Emery's Birkins on Maine. Let's see who else? Do
we have Social House, the Hot House?
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Wise, guys. Uh.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
So there's a lot of different restaurants and retailers that
you can look forward to seeing, getting a taste of
their menu, maybe even doing a little shopping while you're there.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
So I like it.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
So we're going to drink rum punch and then we're
going to do shopping. This is going to be my
kind of night.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
This is honestly perfect itenerary.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
And one thing I want to touch on also is
Social House because that's gonna be a great interactive experience.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
Yeah, so they're kind of a paint and sip and
also kind of social interactions Selfie House in Hertford downtown,
So they're going to have a booth where you can
you know, take selfies, have some interactive kind of fun
activities at the event. So definitely looking forward to having
them there.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Fantastic. And then music as well, Oh yeah, we'll definitely
have a DJ.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
Parkville Sounds will be there helping us dj for the event,
so definitely some good music will be there too.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
A lot of good stuff. And where can listeners go
to get tickets for the event?
Speaker 5 (22:43):
Yeah, so you can visit our website Hertford chamberst dot
com and you can buy tickets there.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Fantastic.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
So in addition to Heartlift Showcase, is also a lot
of other things coming up, you know, throughout the coming
months throughout the community. So Steve Liberty Bank, is you've
touched on really support it's so much in our local community.
So if you talk a little bit on what else
is on the calendar for the back part of the year,
I guess, well, well, I.
Speaker 6 (23:07):
Know so far as they were sponsoring the Connecticut Science
Center Annual Gala coming up this Saturday. Yes, we're a
big sponsor for Covenant Preps annual golf tournament. And after that,
there's a whole bunch of other things going on, and
the list is long. We seem to be doing two
or three events per month.
Speaker 5 (23:25):
All year long.
Speaker 6 (23:25):
Okay, but those are the things the most recent. The
rest of this.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Month, you no, I feel like you always see the
b community kind shirts out, so which is a good thing, right.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
Yeah, and are very active and you managed Household for Humanity.
We're out helping out building houses and stuff in the community.
So pretty active in a variety of different things.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Okay, fantastic, And where could listeners learn more about all
these community efforts and the bank itself.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
Our website, Well, the list of things that were involved
in things are upcoming events that are there, So that's
the best.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Way to do it, Okay, nice and Alina, what is upcoming?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
What's upcoming? But I mean Steve's coming for dinner next week,
so I think. But anything else in terms of events
or you know, things happening for the holidays too, which
are right around the corner.
Speaker 7 (24:11):
Sure, we're going to be doing a whole bunch of stuff.
It'll be listed on our website, Harperflavor dot com. We
have probably a little Halloween event. We'll see exactly what
it looks like. But I'd like to get some maybe
an eggar Allen Poe reading or something it just to
make it.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
A little funky.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Of course, cocktails with smoke. We'll be opening at some
point in the fall for brunch and afternoon tea, so
we're getting that service ready lined up. Yeah, there's something
like that around here, so I want to be able
to provide that. Let's see, for Thanksgiving, we'll be probably
(24:51):
open that day, so that's going to be there's not
that many places is going to be open in right
in Hartford, so we're excited for that. And then I
know definitely we'll be having a party four.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
New Year's Eve.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Nice, so there'll be a couple of seatings, maybe an
early dinner and then a ticketed party after. Okay, So
I'm really looking forward and planning that one right now.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Very nice, a lot of good stuff on the horizon,
and one thing I know, I've had several people ask me,
is your tasting room in the Colt neighborhood is that
is still is still open even with the addition to
the new restaurant, So if you could share a little
bit about that.
Speaker 7 (25:26):
Yeah, absolutely so. Thirty Arbor Street in the back of
the building is our original distillery location with tasting room.
Of course, it's very popular still on Fridays and Saturdays,
Friday four to eight and Saturday twelve to six.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Nice.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
So, and that's a tour and taste and cocktail and
it's really fun. You get to see how we make it.
You get to see the sample wall with all the herbs,
which is really exciting my flavor library.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Oh wo, I've been.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
On the tour before and I can highly highly recommend it.
It was a really really great experience and I think
a great date night option if you ever need one,
but also good to do with friends or family too.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
And we're getting many people going first to a tour
and then coming for dinner, which is great.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Oh, very fun.
Speaker 7 (26:15):
Yeah, you get both experiences, which has really been actually
quite popular.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Okay, Oh I like that. All right, this is so Steve.
Maybe you could surprise your wife, you could do a
cocktail before.
Speaker 6 (26:26):
I think it's Friday night, so I think I'm probably
gonna meet her there.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Fantastic And Gary, what's coming up for Tropics Caribbean Grow.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
I'm just gonna close. We're gonna go to wean't please
don't do that. So we have we have we're doing
a Halloween event as well. We're bringing in a live
rigged man that's going to be playing in costume. We've
never had that. And uh, we're going to be doing
our Devil Purple punch and we're gonna be doing We're
gonna be open early for the kids as well, so
(26:58):
they can do you know, trick or tree and we'll
do a red Devil punch for them. Of course virgin
you know, so that the kidies can run around and
get goodie bags and everything like that. And of course
New Year's Eve, it's always, you know, something to look
forward to. I can't say yet, but we are working
on a big artist from Jamaica to come in and
do a performance on New Year's Eve.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
So okay, you know that's that's what we got. A posts.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Yeah, very cool And where can listeners go to learn
more about Tropics Go.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
On Facebook Tropics Do Ultra you see everything's supposed there.
We're on Instagram as well, uh, snapchat x you know
all that good stuff.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
All right.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
The website is under construction, okay, all.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Nice, very good, very good and page anything upcoming for
the Chamber or I know a lot of things, yeah,
definitely a couple.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
Yeah, so, I mean, besides the showcase, which we're obviously
very very excited about, we also have a Hustle our
networking event coming up in November, so stay tuned on
the announcement for the location for that. That'll be our
last of the year, so definitely looking forward to a
really great turnout and always good to have you know,
a good, good mix of people at that event.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Okay, very good.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
And where can people go again to register for the
heart Lift showcase for that event?
Speaker 5 (28:08):
Yeah, so I would say just visit our website, Hertford
Chambers CT dot com. And I would also say check
out our Instagram and Facebook for kind of regular updates
on the showcase and also other events and happenings that
are going on with the Chamber.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
Okay, I like it, And Lelena, did I miss having
you give our your website and more information on on
Hartford Flavor I'm second guessing myself in my head, so
I'm going to give you the mic again.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
Harperflavor dot com is our website. Of course, you can
check us out at heart for Flavor on Instagram and Facebook. Actually,
I hear that there's lots of videos out on TikTok
right now, which, oh, I guess there's a whole thing
going on that I have no I have no way
to do that, but.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
It's kind of exciting.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (28:54):
Yes, we're constantly posting we're going to be launching the
Fall menu in a couple of maybe next week, as
well as the Paul Cocktail menu. So I'm very excited
with stuff that's coming down the pike.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Lovely fantastic, Well, thank you all so much for being
on the show today.
Speaker 3 (29:11):
Again.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Reminder, October twenty fourth is the Heartlift showcase case where
you can check out many of the new restaurants and
retailers here in Hartford, but also come to Hertford, come
to the city, plan a night out, plan a day out,
bring your family, bring your friends. So certainly a lot
of great opportunities. So thank you all so much for
all each of you doing, individually and.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Collectively to really help support our capital today.
Speaker 7 (29:33):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Thanks Kate having us of course, of course, so for
all the details about today's show, you can visit pulseoftheregion
dot com. A big thank you to our show partner Okill,
and of course thanks to you for listening. We hope
to see you on October twenty fourth. I'm Kate Allman.
Go out and make today a good day here in
Connecticut and here in Hertford.
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