The West Hartford Town Plan and Zoning Commission on Monday gave a positive recommendation to allow high-end boutique store Arhaus Furniture to occupy part of the lower level at Westfarms Mall.
The 5-0 vote means the town council will hold a public hearing and vote on the matter at its May 24 meeting. If okayed by the town council, construction at the site could begin immediately, according to West Hartford Associate Town Planner Brian Pudlik.
The furniture store’s application asked for an amendment to the Special Development District to accommodate exterior architectural, signage and site improvements.
The Arhaus store would be located on the east side of the mall facing New Britain Avenue. The furniture store would occupy space formerly rented by Ruby Tuesday restaurant. That space and an adjoining retail tenant space will be combined and renovated to accommodate Arhaus. The work will include installing new landscaping and making minor site improvements along and in front of the store.
Pudlik said it’s not clear, at this time, when the new furniture store will be occupied. “There could be a variety of factors related to construction that could delay it,” he said.
If approved, the Westfarms location would be the site of the state’s second Arhaus Furniture store; there is a store currently in Norwalk.
