📣Top 10 CT Happenings Right Now

April 15, 2025

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Happy Tuesday, Connecticut!

Here’s your look at some of the most interesting, exciting, and buzzworthy things happening around the state this week—from new businesses coming to the state to fun attractions worth a visit.

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1. HARTFORD OFFERS FORGIVABLE LOANS TO REVITALIZE COMMERCIAL SPACES

Hartford has launched a $5 million forgivable loan program aimed at supporting local businesses and transforming underused commercial properties across the city. The initiative is designed to help property owners build or renovate storefronts in key business districts, including Park Street, Albany Avenue, and North Main Street.

Eligible businesses can receive up to $250,000 per storefront, provided they match the investment and maintain good standing with property tax payments for five years. Local leaders have praised the program as a “transformative step” toward addressing blight and boosting neighborhood vibrancy, especially in areas with strong cultural roots like Hartford’s Puerto Rican community.

2. FOODIES REJOICE: NEW HAVEN CRAWLS ARE BACK WITH A CAUSE

The popular New Haven Appetizer & Dessert Crawls return for 2025, promising great eats and community impact. Hosted by The Shops at Yale, the crawls will take place on April 26, June 7, and August 2, each featuring a rotating lineup of 12 top downtown restaurants.

Tickets cost just $25 and include delicious tastings, exclusive shopping deals, free parking, and a stylish tote bag. Even better, proceeds support local nonprofits like the New Haven Free Public Library and Fellowship Place. The August event ups the fun with a dog adoption fair and live entertainment, making this a perfect outing for families and food lovers alike.

3. MERIDEN’S BELOVED BURGER SPOT SOLD, BUT MENU STAYS THE SAME

K LaMay’s Steamed Cheeseburgers in Meriden, a staple since 2006, is changing ownership on May 1, 2025. Founder Kevin LaMay announced the sale, stating that while it was a difficult decision after more than 30 years in the business, the time was right to step away.

Fans of the award-winning steamed cheeseburgers can breathe a sigh of relief—LaMay confirmed the restaurant’s name, menu, and staff will remain unchanged. He thanked the community for its support and looks forward to seeing the next chapter of the business thrive under new ownership.

Red Bee Apiary in Weston, founded by honey sommelier Marina Marchese, offers a one-of-a-kind experience for honey enthusiasts. Open to the public only a few times a year, Red Bee invites visitors to learn about beekeeping, taste rare honey varietals, and explore Marina’s beautifully curated Honey House Barn.

Marina’s workshops, like Honey Tasting 101 and Beekeeping Basics, blend education with sensory exploration. Her journey from designer to beekeeper has made her a leading voice in artisanal honey. Visitors leave with not only a jar of honey but also a deeper appreciation for bees, terroir, and the flavors of nature.

5. TATTE BAKERY & CAFÉ COMING TO CONNECTICUT FOR THE FIRST TIME

Boston’s beloved Tatte Bakery and CafĂ© is opening its first Connecticut location in Darien’s Corbin District. Known for its high-end brunches, baked goods, and cozy aesthetic, Tatte has become a staple in the Boston and D.C. areas with 44 locations to date.

Founded by pastry chef Tzurit Or, Tatte aims to create a sense of home and community through thoughtfully crafted food. The Darien café is expected to become a regional favorite, serving up dishes like shakshuka, farro bowls, and signature pastries alongside specialty drinks in a beautifully designed space.

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6. BALLO AT MOHEGAN SUN TO TRANSFORM INTO TOP-RANKED THE FARM ITALY

Mohegan Sun’s Ballo Italian Kitchen & Bar will soon transform into The Farm Italy, a top-rated Long Island-based restaurant. Though the new concept takes over next month, it will retain Ballo’s iconic architecture and reimagine it as a rustic yet modern Italian farmhouse.

The Farm Italy was named one of OpenTable’s top 100 restaurants in the U.S. in 2023 and brings with it a fresh, upscale Italian menu. It’s the latest in a string of popular Long Island eateries to open at Mohegan Sun, signaling an exciting expansion for food lovers visiting the resort.

7. PAIGE BUECKERS SIGNS BLOCKBUSTER DEAL WITH UNRIVALED BASKETBALL LEAGUE & GOES #1 IN WNBA DRAFT

UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers has had a huge week. She signed a lucrative three-year deal with Unrivaled, a women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, and she went #1 in the 2025 WNBA Draft. According to ESPN, her first-year salary in the league will surpass what she’d earn in four years in the WNBA, highlighting growing opportunities for top female athletes.

Unrivaled, founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, launched in 2023 and exceeded $27 million in revenue during its inaugural season. Bueckers’ addition boosts the league’s visibility and raises the bar for NIL and professional opportunities in women’s basketball.

Bueckers is still going to play in the WNBA, and will play in Unrivaled during the offseason.

8. CAPRIOTTI’S TO OPEN FIRST CONNECTICUT LOCATION IN ENFIELD

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is bringing its award-winning subs to Connecticut with a new store opening in Enfield on April 25. Located inside the Noble Gas station on Elm Street, this is the first of three locations planned as part of a deal between Noble Gas and franchisees James and Nicole Drazdowsky.

Founded in Delaware in 1976, Capriotti’s is known for signature items like The Bobbie and Capastrami. The Enfield shop marks the chain’s first venture into New England and may pave the way for more locations across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

9. NEW SOFT PLAY CAFÉ COMING TO SONO COLLECTION MALL THIS SUMMER

Playhouse Sono, an indoor soft play cafĂ©, is set to open this summer on the third floor of Norwalk’s SoNo Collection mall. Designed for families with young children, the space will include ball pits, jungle gyms, and a “Toddler Haven,” alongside a cafĂ© and bakery from Anntremet Cake.

Founded by James Hendershot, Playhouse Sono brings a European-style play cafĂ© experience to Fairfield County. The venue will offer memberships, drop-in passes, and event rentals, adding to the mall’s growing list of kid-friendly entertainment options.

10. REAL ESTATE SURGE CONTINUES IN CONNECTICUT DESPITE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

Connecticut’s housing market is heating up, with a notable increase in property listings in cities like Danbury, Southbury, and Shelton. While economic volatility and tariff concerns have slowed home tours in early April, investor buyers and cash offers are keeping the market competitive.

Buyers in towns like West Hartford and North Stonington are still paying above asking, and the median time to sell has shortened in many areas. Despite stock market turbulence, demand remains high and supply remains tight, fueling bidding wars for well-priced homes across the state.

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