How we doing Hartford County!?
Today is Tuesday, August 25th, aka National Secondhand Wardrobe Day. I’m a sucker for a good thrift-store find, and I’ve scored some pretty sweet buys at my local Goodwill in Glastonbury over the years. So naturally, I rounded up 32 local thrift, vintage and consignment shops across Hartford County that go beyond the big chains.
👇 More secondhand treasures below.
In Today’s Hart Co Buzz:
Thrifting
Summer’s End
5 Awesome Events
Buzz & Tell
Things to do in Hartford County
Let’s dive in!
-Todd DiGiovanni
32 LOCAL SECONDHAND STORES
I’m a sucker for a good thrift shop, especially when you never quite know what you’re going to walk out with. So we went hunting and mapped out 32 local thrift, vintage and consignment shops across Hartford County, skipping the big national chains and focusing on places worth discovering.
Whether you’re hunting for a $5 score, vintage treasure or something you definitely don’t need but are buying anyway, there’s probably a spot near you.
☀️ SOAK UP THE LAST OF SUMMER
I hate to say it, but summer is starting to wind down. Before we trade farm stands and swimming holes for apple cider and pumpkin everything, squeeze a little more out of it. Grab a cone from one of our favorite local ice cream spots, hit a farmers market, visit one of Hartford County’s local farms, or sneak in one last swim.
Fall will be here soon enough. For now, enjoy what’s left of summer.
HARTCO TRIVIA🤔
Which Hartford-born actress won four Academy Awards for Best Actress - still the record?
Down Payment Assistance:
There May Be $25K Hiding in Plain Sight
Think you need a massive pile of cash before you can buy a house? Maybe not.
Connecticut's Time To Own program can provide eligible buyers with up to $25,000 toward a down payment and closing costs, with 0% interest and no monthly payment. Even better, 10% of the loan is forgiven each year until it's fully forgiven after 10 years.
And this isn't some old program collecting dust. As of August 17, CHFA reported nearly $18.5 million still available for new reservations.
There are income and eligibility rules, plus other assistance programs available through CHFA, towns and even some employers.
Before assuming you need another year to save, talk with Kimberly Joy. You might qualify for help you didn't know was there.
📣 Want to Reach 8,000+ Local Readers?
We’re looking for a few great local businesses to partner with. If you want to put your business in front of 8,000+ engaged locals who actually want to know what’s happening in their community, we’d love to talk. Get in touch and let’s find a way to get your business noticed.
👉 Interested in partnering with us? Reach out here.
SUMMER GOES OUT BIG
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to get out of the house, this is the weekend. Food, balloons, live music, Polish culture, dancing… Hartford County apparently decided to cram everything into the last weekend of August.
Hartford | Foodie Fam Fest | Sat. Aug. 29, 2–6 PM
Connecticut’s huge creator-meets-food festival takes over Dunkin’ Park with 40+ creators, food samples, vendors and live shows.Wethersfield | Old Wethersfield Porchfest | Sat. Aug. 29
One of my favorites: 55+ bands and musicians plus 100+ vendors spread throughout historic Old Wethersfield. Main Street closes from 9 AM–5 PM.New Britain | Dożynki Harvest Festival | Aug. 29–30
A longtime celebration of Polish culture at Falcon’s Field with Polish food, folk dancing, live music, vendors and traditional harvest festivities.Plainville | Hot Air Balloon Festival | Aug. 28–29
The 39th annual festival brings balloons, food trucks, nearly 100 vendors, rides and live entertainment to Norton Park. Friday has the balloon glow + fireworks, with balloon launches Saturday at 6 AM and 6 PM.Hartford | Awakening Festival | Sat. Aug. 29, 6 PM
Ballet Hartford wraps up its summer festival with a free outdoor performance at the Bushnell Park Performance Pavilion, featuring dance, music and visual artists.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Annie Lou, a sweet, slightly shy 2-year-old Blue Heeler mix is great with dogs and cats and is looking for a quieter home where her loyal personality can really shine.
🏡House of the week: This 2,826-square-foot contemporary packs 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, two fireplaces and a bright updated kitchen, all tucked into nearly an acre of mature trees and gardens. The real kicker? The cul-de-sac has direct access to Ethel Walker Woods, basically giving you a trail system out your front door. Check it out!
🥾Trail of the week:
🔭Sky report: Stay up a little late Thursday because Hartford County gets a deep partial lunar eclipse, with nearly the entire Moon slipping into Earth’s shadow. The show really gets going around 10:33 PM Thursday, peaks at 12:12 AM Friday, and should give the Moon a pretty wild copper-red look. No telescope required, just some clear skies and maybe a little extra coffee Friday morning.
BRIEF BITES
NEW OPENINGS:
🔥 Plainville | BIRDCODE | Opened Aug. 21 - Nashville hot chicken has landed at 359 New Britain Ave., bringing sandwiches, tenders and five levels of heat.
🏀 Manchester | Rally House | Opened Aug. 21 - Connecticut’s first Rally House is now open at 1448 Pleasant Valley Rd., packed with UConn and pro-team gear.
📚 Southington | Sirena Noir Books | Opens Aug. 29 - A new indie bookstore at 2 W. Center St. specializing in fantasy, horror, paranormal romance and gothic reads.
FLIGHT BUZZ:
Hartford to Saint Thomas V.I from $219* roundtrip 1 stop for a week stay end of Oct. Pack your bags. *Prices may change from time of writing
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (8/25)
Hartford | Craig Cackowski and You | 8–11 PM | ($) - Improv veteran Craig Cackowski hits Sea Tea Comedy Theater for a hilarious, audience-powered show where you might end up on stage. Laugh
Hartford | Yoga In Our City at Elizabeth Park | 5:30 PM | Free, instructor-led outdoor yoga at Elizabeth Park for everyone from first-timers to seasoned yogis. Stretch
Hartford | Tavern Talks | 2–2:30 PM | ($12) - Decode old tavern signs and hear some seriously colorful Connecticut history at the Connecticut Museum. Dig deeper
WEDNESDAY (8/26)
Avon | The Original/Author Event with Priya Parmar (in-person) | 6:30 PM | ($) - Community event at the venue (281 Country Club Rd). Check It Out
Windsor | DJ Bingo - Bear's Windsor | 7 PM - Fun bingo night with prizes at Bear's Smokehouse BBQ (2152 Poquonock Ave).
THURSDAY (8/27)
Farmington | Piano Man Meets Rocket Man at Staples House Green | 6:30 PM - Billy Joel & Elton John tribute at Staples House Green. Listen Up
Hartford | Street Sounds: Lee Totten | 5 PM - Live music downtown (825 Main Street). Be There
Hartford | Sensory Friendly Day | 10 AM–4 PM | ($) - Explore the Connecticut Science Center’s hands-on exhibits in a calmer, more sensory-friendly environment. Explore comfortably
Simsbury | Mountain Music: Jeff Wieselberg | 5:30 PM - Live acoustic music outdoors (140 Nod Road). Catch the Show
FRIDAY (8/28)
Enfield | Full Sturgeon Moon Sound Bath | 6 PM | ($) - Relaxing sound healing session (2 Pearson Way). Find Balance
Hartford | Pitbull - I'm Back with special guest Lil Jon | 8 PM | ($) - High-energy concert at The Meadows Music Theatre. Get Rowdy
Hartford | Beres Hammond | 7 PM | ($) - Reggae legend live at PeoplesBank Arena. Hear It Live
Manchester | Motor City Fever: A Musical Celebration of Motown | 7 PM | ($) - Motown tribute at Cheney Hall (177 Hartford Rd). Listen Up
Milldale | Dueling Pianos For a Cause Night! | 6 PM | ($) - Fundraiser with dueling pianos at Kinsmen Brewing (409 Canal St). Give Back
Southington | Full Moon Goat Walk | 7 PM | ($) - Evening goat walk under the full moon at Bradley Mountain Farm (537 Shuttle Meadow Rd). Hit the Trail
SATURDAY (8/29)
Bristol | Debut at the Factory Brewing Collective | 6 PM | ($) - Live music at The Factory Brewing Collective (21 Richmond Pl). Catch the Show
Broad Brook | Ultimate 80's Party with Ladies of the 80's Band! | 8 PM | ($) - 80s tribute at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main Street). Dance Away
Collinsville | Capricorn - Allman Brothers Tribute at Bridge Street Live! | 8 PM | ($) - Southern rock tribute at 41 Bridge Street. Rock Out
Granby | A Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience | 6:30 PM | ($) - Classical music by candlelight. Listen Up
Hartford | Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber | 7:30 PM | ($) - Legendary hip-hop at The Meadows Music Theatre (61 Savitt Way). Get Rowdy
Hartford | Spooky Popcorn: The Exorcist | 8 PM - Outdoor horror movie screening at Constitution Plaza (3 Columbus Blvd). Screen It
Manchester | BEYOND 1969: THE SONGS OF WOODSTOCK | 7 PM | ($) - Woodstock tribute at Cheney Hall (177 Hartford Rd). Hear It Live
Simsbury | Hike to the Mic XII | 10 AM - Hike up to Heublein Tower for live music. Hit the Trail
West Hartford | HEAT.WAV Music & Arts Festival | 12 PM | ($) - Music and arts fest at New Park Brewing (485 New Park Ave). Join the Fun
SUNDAY (8/30)
West Hartford | WHY in the Parks Yoga / Beachland Park | 9 AM - Free outdoor yoga session (23 Brook St). Find Your Center
KID FRIENDLY
8/28
Farmington | Firefly Fridays on the Farm | 5:30 PM - Evening farm fun with food and activities at Flamig Farm (303 Meadow Road). Bring the Kids
Granby | OHA Annual Not Back To School Bash | 11 AM - Kids meet Spiderman at the back-to-school celebration at High Meadow Resort (209 Day St). Family Fun
8/29
South Windsor | Lutz Children’s Museum Family Fest | 9 AM–5 PM - Animal encounters, pony rides, bounce houses, food trucks and live music fill the Mitchell Fairgrounds. Play all day
8/30
Farmington | Farm, Fire, and Ice Festival at Sub Edge Farm | 2 PM | ($) - Farm festival with food, fire pits, and ice cream at Sub Edge Farm. All Ages
That’s a wrap for this week’s Hart Co Buzz. If you enjoyed Hart Co Buzz then please share with friends and family who will also benefit from staying in the loop with local happenings. See you next week!
Talk soon,
Todd
