Hart Lift Continues to Uplift Hartford

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 (.) $150,000Aroma’s Café*100 Constitution PlazaB.O.P.16 New Park AvenueBloom Bake Shop*80 Pratt StreetBrothers Johnson Hat Co.213 Garden StreetCantina Hartford900 Main StreetCapitol Ice Cream389 Capitol AvenueCorner 3103 Pratt StreetConnecticut Lighting Centers*312 Murphy RoadFour Dad’s Pub*114 Asylum StreetFrenchie’s Creole Grill*485 Main StreetKenney’s Restaurant379 Capitol AvenueLa Casita de Sabor Express*1200 Park StreetLyons Den77 Pratt StreetParkville Sounds*1800 Park StreetThe Place 2 Be275 Pearl StreetPretty Girl Inventory207 Garden StreetRAW*280 Trumbull StreetRinzed Laundromat*1605-1607 Park StreetRundown*44 Pratt StreetState House Distilling Co.*30 State HouseStory & Soil Coffee387 Capitol AvenueTaste 111*111 Pearl StreetTropix Caribbean Grille*3229 Main StreetYardpoker Clothing and Design*1631 Park Street*Businesses announced at the April 19 press conference.