Here at Casa Bergqui, the primary issue is snow and ice cascading off the roof and onto the shrubbery along the front of the house. We have attempted to shovel out the plants to relieve some of the weight, but in retrospect that may have just set them up for another direct hit in the next blizzard. When the shrubs were brand new, we had deployed wooden A-frames over the top of the young plants to protect them from the dangers above. Two seasons of below average snowfall, and my concern about their lack of winter sun, gave me the confidence to skip that step last winter. It worked out well last year … not so much this year.

Other homes in the neighborhood have mature hedges at the front of their properties. Some species seem to be fighting off the snow quite well, while others appear to be struggling. Hopefully the damage looks worse than it really is because they will be very difficult to repair. I imagine it would take years to regrow a particular section to match the rest of the hedge.

This spring looks to be shaping up to be a very profitable time to be in the landscaping business. The damage caused by the snow and ice this winter will create lots of demand for new plants and services. And with the economy no longer completely in the toilet perhaps homeowners will be more inclined to spend on these sorts of non-essential items.

I wonder if it’s possible to corner the market on boxwood in order to profit on the coming landscaping boom?

After doing a little business with Bank of America in downtown Hartford the other day I was surprised to see a big sign in their lobby announcing Home Equity Lines with rates of 4.24% for $50,000 and $100,000 lines. The gentleman at the info desk assured me that not only was it still possible to get a home equity line, but that Bank of America has been offering them without interruption! I was not allowed to take a picture of the sign as proof, but I swear it exists. A quick search of the World Wide Web confirms that Bank of America is in the game, and shows that other lenders are also advertising home equity lines on their websites.

Home equity lines played a big role in our current financial crisis. Although they can serve a variety of purposes, many homeowners bet that home prices would continue to rise and used their line to extract all of the equity from their property. The cash in hand was spent on anything from home improvements to retiring more expensive debt to discretionary purchases with no enduring value. All the anecdotal evidence that I had seen suggested that banks either froze or cancelled outstanding home equity lines in an effort to manage the risk to their firm’s capital. The resulting reduction of available credit has been an inconvenience to some, and has actually hurt the credit score of others.

According to a local mortgage broker, home equity lines never completely went away. Instead the lenders simply became more conservative. They definitely froze and cancelled some lines, but at the same time they were still willing to extend new lines to very well qualified borrowers. If you had low loan-to-value ratios and good credit you have always been able to get a line. Lenders have also been changing their pricing. Where before they would offer a discount to Prime with no minimum rate, they are now charging a premium above Prime with a minimum interest rate of 4%. Finally, borrowers need to look carefully at the overall cost of a home equity line since very few people qualify for the advertised rates. Most borrowers end up paying additional points, fees, and/or expenses that increase the effective interest rate, or APR, of the line.

So it seems that the major financial institutions are still willing to add some risk to their portfolios. And we know that the government wants them to be lending despite being forced to provide considerable assistance to keep the institutions solvent. The underlying economic theory is the multiplier effect, which tries to quantify the overall impact of an additional dollar. In this case, each dollar that is loaned is spent and re-spent a number of times, spurring growth in the overall economy.

My conclusion after all of this is that although home equity lines are advertised as available, they might not be available to you. And even if you do qualify, the line may be more expensive than expected. As always, be careful when borrowing…

About ten years ago, organic grocer Wild Oats bought Cheese & Stuff. They promised to keep the local market in business but later went back on their word. The small local market was closed to reduce competition for their newer and larger Bishop’s Corner location in West Hartford. After years of boycotting the bait-and-switcher Wild Oats, West Enders celebrated the arrival of Whole Foods a few years ago, but have never completely forgotten the Cheese & Stuff.

One of my friends suggested that Kyle and I reopen the Cheese & stuff now that the old location is going to be available again. We’re currently focusing on other goals, but the idea of opening a neighborhood market seems like it merits consideration.

The community would certainly be supportive, there is sufficient parking, and the Wild Oats (Bishop’s Corner Whole Foods) seems to be on the path to either a sale or closing due to a national anti-trust decision. The Whole Foods is still just a few miles down the road, but a local fresh food grocery could be an attractive alternative to the Blue Back Experience or the Stop & Shop/Shaws combo further down Prospect Avenue.

The main challenge to opening an upscale market is that a foodie needs to have a big role. Without selecting the right items or the ability to inspire customers, the store could have trouble building a loyal following. But if any neighborhood can do it, then it is the West End. We have the talent to identify the right mix of products, and the good sense to appreciate the effort.

So who’s going to bring back Cheese & Stuff?

Having riden the bus down either Farmington Avenue or Asylum Avenue nearly every day over the past four years, I’ve gradually realized that Asylum Hill is perhaps the only neighborhood in Greater Hartford in which a resident could legitimately survive without a car.

First and foremost Asylum Hill has plenty of easily accessible job opportunities, with major employers like The Hartford, Aetna, St. Francis Hospital, and the Connecticut Culinary Institute all within walking distance. Beyond those institutions, there are numerous small businesses lining the two major streets. Folks willing to ride the bus can get to downtown, West Hartford Center, Westfarms Mall or the CIGNA campus in Bloomfield without needing to transfer.

The second critical factor is that residents can shop for the supplies they need on a day-to-day basis. With the opening of the Green Apple market on Farmington, residents are now able to get fresh fruits and veggies on a consistent and reliable basis. Other small markets and convenience stores are scattered throughout the neighborhood. There are a number of other eateries and specialty shops on Farmington, and even a few fast food options. Household items may be more difficult to come by, requiring a half-hour bus ride out to the Westfarms area. Perhaps this is the time to mention that the neighborhood is very centrally located in the region, with excellent highway access. So convincing a friend with a car to take a quick trip to wherever should not be a problem.

The neighborhood also has an impressive collection of cultural and community institutions. The Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and Children’s Theater are all clustered on Farmington, with the Hartford Conservatory on Asylum. A number of churches, some of the most beautiful in the city, have prominent positions in the neighborhood. The recently renovated Hartford Public High School serves as a focal point in the community, and there is are a number of community gardens tucked in empty lots.

Finally, there are a wide variety of residential options. Many of the housing choices are either apartment or condo units in multifamily structures. Much has been made of the very visible and recently halted project that David Nyberg is doing on and around Imlay Street, and there appears to be other renovations underway elsewhere in the neighborhood. The northern part of the neighborhood has more single and multi family properties, though there are also plenty of options in larger buildings.

Asylum Hill is a complete urban neighborhood with jobs, retail, culture/entertainment and housing together in a walkable community. It’s time they got the recognition they deserve for being the best available option for the auto-free (or auto-light) lifestyle in Greater Hartford.

Kick off your weekend yummy-style Friday on your way home from work. Stop by the United Methodist Church at the corner of South Whitney and Farmington Avenue from 4-7 for the season’s first West End Farmer’s Market. Partake in the (free) Strawberry Shortcake Festival and support some local farmers by purchasing produce, breads, and meats for your weekend meals.

On Saturday and/or Sunday, stop by Elizabeth Park for the Annual Rose Weekend Festival. It’s running both days from 11-4. Check out the rose gardens, perennial gardens, annual gardens, arts and crafts, and other activities. Just don’t feed the ducks!

A few months ago we met some friends for dinner at Monte Alban. Because we were running late and it was cold outside, I whined my way into convincing Kyle to drive us there, rather than making the .4 mile walk. There was no close street parking available, so we parked way in the back of the “Kinko’s lot” on Farmington Avenue, at the corner of Kenyon and Farmington.

The lot was essentially empty, it was after 6:30pm, and we thought everything was fine. Apparently we missed the “We will tow you with no exceptions” signs that were posted on the side of the building, not anywhere near where we parked.

We went into Monte Alban and enjoyed our dinner, which took about an hour. Then we proceeded back to the parking lot and the following dialogue went like this…

Amy: Hey, where’s the car? Didn’t we park right there? [pointing to empty parking space]

Kyle: Huh, the car doesn’t appear to be here. [scratching head]

Amy: Was the car stolen?!?!? [twitching and flailing starts]

Kyle: Calm down, calm down. I think we were towed. Yep, hey look, it says on the building that they’ll tow you. [starts rummaging for cell phone to call faded number on sign]

Amy: Towed? Towed where? Towed why? This lot is completely empty and no one is parked here! [voice getting shriller, flailing increasing]

Kyle: [speaking with towing company] Do you have our car? It’s a BlahBlah, license plate Blah. Okay, well where do we pick it up? Berlin. How much will that cost? $280, cash only. When can I get it?

Amy: Berlin? Why is the car in Berlin? $280?!? Are you kidding me?!?! [cursing starts, time to be spent in purgatory greatly increasing]

Long story short: we walk home, drive to the far reaches of Berlin, wait a half hour to meet some guy at a completely shady location, pay him $280 in cash (IRS audit anyone?), and drive home. Amy is in the doghouse for being “lazy” and making it the most expensive burrito dinner ever. [Although I later heard from another friend that they once had a $280 beer at Tisane due to the same unfortunate circumstances]

So why am I telling you about this? The parking situation for these four popular restaurants has recently improved. Some proactive West End residents worked with the property manager of the “Kinko’s lot” to secure some after hours parking spots for these restaurants.

You can now park in one of these 27 yellow-lined spots at the back of the parking lot…

Just make sure you follow these rules…

Seriously, follow the rules. If you park in a non-yellow lined space and leave that lot for other business, you will be towed. All the way to Berlin. So they can charge you $4 a mile for the towing. Am I still bitter? Nah…

I’ve eaten at Cheesecake Factories in the Boston, DC, and Denver areas before (the last time being about a year and a half ago) and the West Hartford establishment carries along the traditional decor and menu options. For the training exercise, we were only able to try certain appetizer and meal selections, which was fine because lunch was free and it was a learning experience for the staff. The food was the same quality that I’d experienced at other locations. The waitstaff is still learning and has a few more days of training to tweak things before they officially open on Thursday.

If you’ve never been to a Cheesecake Factory, here are my suggestions…

1. You should go, at least once, just to experience it. The menu is quite extensive and you will be able to find something you’ll enjoy. You may even be overwhelmed by the number of selections available.

2. The amount of food they give you is tremendous, but it’s also not cheap. Appetizers are priced from $8 and up. Dinners start around $10 a plate, most average around $15-$20. Desserts start at $7 (most of the cheesecake is $7 a slice).

3. The food is good, but if you’re not careful you will end up with a big belly ache when you leave. My husband and I typically split an appetizer, main dinner, and piece of cheesecake and that seems to work. It also helps the wallet.

4. The cheesecake really is fantastic and they have a seemingly endless number of options. If you like fruity cheesecake, they have it. If you like chocolate cheesecake, they have it. If you like candy cheesecake, they have it. So, just have a piece of cheesecake!

The newest addition to West Hartford Center has arrived…say hello to Crate & Barrel. As one of the anchor tenants of the highly anticipated Blue Back Square, Crate & Barrel opened last week amidst much fan-fair and excitement. For those of you expecting a small retail shop similar to Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware, perhaps typical for a smaller metropolitan area, be prepared to be pleasantly disappointed. Crate & Barrel’s West Hartford store is every bit as impressive as their New York and Boston locations. The West Hartford store has approximately 22 thousand square feet of show space and another 10 thousand square feet of warehouse space. The store has a Madison Avenue feel complete with multiple levels, escalators, and elevators.

If you like high quality, stylized furniture with both a contemporary and traditional feel you will be in heaven at Crate & Barrel’s West Hartford store. The upper level is dedicated to fine furniture and fabrics, while the lower level contains housewares and some less expensive ready-to-assemble furniture.

From a pricing standpoint, Crate & Barrel is in line with Restoration Hardware and perhaps slightly more expensive than Pottery Barn. I was really impressed by the store’s layout with high ceilings and great lighting. Architecturally it is very impressive and bodes of great things to come for the rest of Blue Back Square. So, if you’re ready to update the living room, Crate & Barrel’s West Hartford store is well worth a look.
……….

Thanks Grant! And what Grant doesn’t know is that next Monday I get to go to a sneak preview lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I’m helping to test out the wait staff with a group of other agents from my office. Be on the lookout for my inside report before it officially opens…

I, personally, am not much of an outdoor sportsperson. My father, on the other hand, is a different story. So I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me when my parents called on Wednesday evening to ask if they could come down from Vermont and stay over Thursday evening. You see, the “soft opening” of the new Cabela’s superstore in East Hartford was today. My father has been eagerly anticipating this day since the project was revealed a few years ago.

Well, today my father was like a kid in a candy store with the unveiling of the new Cabela’s. Here are some pictures from the event and our takeaways…

1. (Dad)- The employees really know their stuff. He asked specific questions about fishing gear and was able to get a knowledgeable response, including specific suggestions on good local places to try out the tackle and rods. This was a pleasant surprise and different than what you would find at most “superstore” shops.

2. (Dad)- There appeared to be more merchandise for sale, but still a good number of “animal displays” to admire. While this might be upsetting to the vegetarians, it sure seemed to keep the little kids entertained.

3. (Amy)- The clothing sizes of Cabela-branded items seemed to be very erratic, at least for women.

4. (Amy)- If you’re a single woman, this is probably the best possible place to meet men. I would say I was outnumbered 7-to-1 in the men to women ratio. If you can actually get their attention away from the bow and arrows and camping gear is another issue…

5. (Amy)- Even if you don’t participate in fishing, hunting, shooting, or camping, I would still suggest you cross the bridge and take a trip to East Hartford. Cabela’s is definitely an “experience” store and I would recommend that you allow about an hour to just wander around, even if you have no plans of buying anything. There are lots of amazing things to look at, a restaurant to try if you like game, and even a homemade fudge shop. Who can turn down homemade fudge?

I don’t really know when the Grand Opening will be, but it’s open now, so go take a gander.

Not really sure what airplanes have to do with Cabela’s…

Awwww, hugging bears, how cute! Oh wait, they’re fighting?

I’m noticing a fighting theme…

The item preview begins at 5:00pm. Grab a pillow at the back of the room to hold your seat. Then get a slice of homemade pie (they usually have 8-9 different flavor selections) and wait for the fun to begin.

Richard Wacht, owner and auctioneer, does a great job quickly moving through items, in language everyone can understand. None of the garbled, fast-tongued guess-speak that usually is associated with auctioneers. If you want to bid on something, you just raise your hand during the bidding and throw your hat in the ring. Runners on the stage will acknowledge your bids and it goes back and forth until the highest bidder wins. Your name is taken down and you pay with cash or check at the end of the auction (no credit cards accepted).

Here are a couple of observations…

1. The majority of the crowd (about 100 people) appeared to be “regulars” and known by the staff. As first time visitors, and about 20 years younger than most of the patrons, we felt welcomed and comfortable with participating in the bidding action.

2. Several items went for, what I would consider, super deals. There were several items that had a “Pottery Barn flair” that went for well less than what they would cost at an actual Pottery Barn store. It was easy to feel losers remorse when you didn’t participate in bidding on an item because you felt it would go for far more than it did. I missed out on a nice dresser that went for $35 and a beautiful settee that sold for $40 because I assumed the bids would go much higher. They didn’t, so I lost out on those pieces. Fortunately there are unique things available each week.

3. There were collectibles and large pieces of furniture. If you look to collect certain items, or just need to furnish certain rooms of your house, you can find it at the Barn.

4. Buying a piece of pie was a good investment. My tummy thanked me.

5. Showing up to preview items around 6:45-7:00pm should allow enough time. We got there a little too early and had too much time to kill.

The hubby and I had a fun evening and will probably now make this a regular event. It easily beats staying home and watching a movie on the couch. Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to check out the Hartford-area auctions to see how they compare. Stay tuned…