Addressing a group of local entrepreneurs and supporters of Hartford’s small business community gathered in an empty restaurant that closed as a result of the pandemic, Mayor Luke Bronin said he’s thrilled to see the space “brought back to life” as a result of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s Hart Lift program.
The space on Trumbull Street will become RAW, a new venture from Gina Luari, Owner of The Place 2 Be restaurant group, which is also receiving Hart Lift funding. RAW was one of 15 new businesses* announced in the Hart Lift’s second cohort (see complete list below).
“It’s exciting to see the amount of demand for the program,” said Mayor Bronin, who thanked the entrepreneurs and organizations that made everything possible. “It’s a true public-private partnership,” he added.
“The City of Hartford is going to look very different in the next 12 to 8 months,” noted Hartford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julio Concepción, who also thanked the entrepreneurs who are making it happen.
The Hartford Chamber itself was also acknowledged for its efforts by the mayor and by Gina, who said, “You do more than any chamber I’ve ever experienced.” She also emphasized that she’s “excited to add back to the hospitality ecosystem in Hartford.”
The 25 Hart Lift grants approved to date include:
All My Sons Moving Co.*
40 Airport Road (.) $150,000
Aroma’s Café*
100 Constitution Plaza
B.O.P.
16 New Park Avenue
Bloom Bake Shop*
80 Pratt Street
Brothers Johnson Hat Co.
213 Garden Street
Cantina Hartford
900 Main Street
Capitol Ice Cream
389 Capitol Avenue
Corner 3
103 Pratt Street
Connecticut Lighting Centers*
312 Murphy Road
Four Dad’s Pub*
114 Asylum Street
Frenchie’s Creole Grill*
485 Main Street
Kenney’s Restaurant
379 Capitol Avenue
La Casita de Sabor Express*
1200 Park Street
Lyons Den
77 Pratt Street
Parkville Sounds*
1800 Park Street
The Place 2 Be
275 Pearl Street
Pretty Girl Inventory
207 Garden Street
RAW*
280 Trumbull Street
Rinzed Laundromat*
1605-1607 Park Street
Rundown*
44 Pratt Street
State House Distilling Co.*
30 State House
Story & Soil Coffee
387 Capitol Avenue
Taste 111*
111 Pearl Street
Tropix Caribbean Grille*
3229 Main Street
Yardpoker Clothing and Design*
1631 Park Street
*Businesses announced at the April 19 press conference.