Region’s Top Shopping Destination Celebrated for Industry Excellence; Welcoming New Brands to its Sh

FARMINGTON, Conn., JUNE 3, 2025 – Westfarms, Connecticut’s premier shopping destination, has received two awards honoring its position as a best-in-class shopping center in Connecticut. Additionally, the center is announcing the addition of several new and unique to market stores to its already impressive retail line-up.
 
Economic Driver and Best of Hartford awards designee:


 
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce has presented Westfarms as the 2025 recipient of the Economic Driver of the Year Spotlight Award. The award celebrates the achievements of Westfarms and highlights the exceptional influence it has on the West Hartford/Farmington communities and its economy. Additionally, The Harford Courant’s opt-in annual readers’ poll awarded Westfarms its first-place recognition for the shopping center category, while four of its retailers received awards in additional categories including Nordstrom, Warby Parker, Munson’s Chocolates, and Cotton On Kids.
 
“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized by the West Hartford Chamber for our impact on the local economy and to be voted by The Hartford Courant and its readers as one of the region’s top shopping destinations,” said Elizabeth Ryan, General Manager of Westfarms. “For more than 50 years, Westfarms has been at the center of a vibrant and growing retail community, contributing to the economy and providing a home to more than 140 retailers and restaurants. With over 1,000 community members employed by our tenants, we’re proud to be part of a diverse and thriving local workforce. This recognition is also a testament to the dedication of our tenants — from innovative first-to-market brands to cherished local favorites — who together make Westfarms a dynamic and welcoming place for shoppers.”


New-to-market store opening, popular brand additions and stores remodels:
 
Continuing to add to its unique merchandising mix, Westfarms has welcomed several new stores over the last quarter and looks forward to welcoming additional brands this summer.
 
 Specialty formal apparel retailer for women, Windsor, opened its doors in the lower level of the Nordstrom wing in a 4,076 square foot space March 31st. The brand offers a wide range of clothing items from casual wear to elegant formal wear, and specializes in special occasion dresses. The store opened its doors in time to showcase its Spring 2025 collection for prom and wedding season.
 
Making its Connecticut market entrance at Westfarms in April, Manhattan’s Caffé Arrone parked its delivery truck in the Center Court. Marking it the fifth location, the growing coffee brand features organic coffee brews from around the world with a full menu of rich café flavors and teas.
 
The popular Jamba Juice, whirl'd famous flavors of plant-based smoothies, bowls with fresh fruit toppings, and protein-packed foods to go, will open in the lower-level entrance corridor near Arhaus and Texas de Brazil. The Atlanta-based company has over 750 locations nationwide. This will be the third location in Connecticut and is slated to open this summer.


 
Zumiez, a leading specialty retailer for young men and women who want to express their individuality through apparel, footwear, accessories and skateboards will be opening in the Nordstrom wing this summer. The 2,867 square foot store features the most popular streetwear brands including Affliction, Ed Hardy, Empyre, FB County, Von Dutch, and Plan B skateboards, to name a few.


 
Also opening this summer, gorjana, the Laguana Beach, California-based jewelry brand is best known for its accessible and interchangeable jewelry pieces that go with everything. The 821 square foot store will open its second Connecticut store, and first to the Hartford market on the upper-level of Center Court.
 
“We are proud of our continued growth and commitment to our retailers and shoppers at Westfarms,” says Ryan, “We remain dedicated to enhancing our shopping experience with first to the area brands and customer favorites that will complement our existing line up at Westfarms.” 
 
Retailer refresh:


 
Kay Jewelers recently reopened following a comprehensive store renovation, while American Eagle is currently undergoing a storewide redesign scheduled to be completed in time for the back-to-school shopping season.
                                                                                         
 
ABOUT WESTFARMS:
Anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, Jordan’s Furniture, and JCPenney, Westfarms is the premier shopping center of central Connecticut. The shopping center offers a unique tenant mix of 140 stores and restaurants including Alo, Anthropologie, Apple, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Fabletics, Free People, J. Crew, Kate Spade, LEGO, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Pottery Barn, Sally’s APizza, Tempur-Pedic, Texas de Brazil, Tiffany & Co., Tommy Bahama, Tory Burch, UNTUCKit, Urban Outfitters, Vineyard Vines and many more. The shopping center bestrides the towns of Farmington and West Hartford and is conveniently located at the intersection of I-84 and Route 9. For more information, visit www.shopwestfarms.com or like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WestfarmsMall or Instagram: www.instagram.com/wswestfarmsmall/.