In July, Real Hartford reported that 405 Capitol Avenue — the space previously occupied by La Paloma Sabanera — was slated to become a convenience store. We had spoken with patrons of Capitol Grocery who said this is what store employees were telling them. Depending on who asked the questions, the answers about what the Bukhari brothers planned for 405 Capitol Avenue varied wildly, from a hookah lounge to an Internet cafe.
The next day, an article in the Hartford Courant stated that the space was going to become a restaurant, and that Capitol Grocery would remain open. Shahzaib Bukhari, who was interviewed for the piece and who said he planned to sign a lease, stated that the restaurant should have opened in early August.
At the end of the month, there is still no sign of a restaurant. Rather, what we saw this morning was quite different. The Capitol Grocery, a bodega, was closed and its sign was removed. The sign — along with cigarette posters — were moved down the block to 405 Capitol Avenue. This space was also dark, but all signs point to one thing.
Over the weekend, the sculpture created from oil drums and an old pay phone was destroyed. This was ripped out and tossed onto the grassy area at the corner of Babcock and Capitol.
Previously, a mural on the side of the building was partially painted over. This happened after the brickwork was patched using material not suggested for historic brick. Graffiti reported on the mural has still not been removed.
At a recent City Council meeting, residents demanded more involvement from officials regarding absentee landlord issues.
lobonick
wow… the landlord apparently is moving forward as his right.. the new tenant (or the one from the same building) should be given a grace period to see if a new start can happen.. however, the competition from the previous tenant (re: La Paloma)will be too much.. he will be able to serve the locals, but any attempt to gain favor with the state workers from across the way will be difficult.. the ghost and the nature of the exit of la paloma will haunt the space in regards to the state workers.. or maybe not.. time will tell.. a critical move in a critical Hartford neighborhood.. excellent reporting..
chris
What a rotten setback for Frog Hollow and Hartford! Having spoken in person with Shahzaib Bukhari, I can attest that he described Frog Hollow as a “Bad neighborhood” (after I had identified myself as a neighbor) and lied to my face about his intentions for this storefront. His brother has earned every bit of ill-repute that Capitol Grocery has garnered over the course of its existence. The brothers Bukhari have squandered any benefit of the doubt I was willing to allow at the outset. These men and their wretched absentee landlord are the selfish, exploitive forces that create and nurture ghettos. They are actively making things worse in our neighborhood. It didn’t have to be this way. I can only hope that someday it won’t.
Kerri Provost
I would love to see the Courant reporter follow up with those he interviewed to see what the story is now, according to them.
Joyce
That is awful, what is happening! Where is the Mayor of Hartford? What does the City of Hartford think about this? How awful to paint over the mural and destroy the sculpture and just throw it on the ground! This must be stopped! They are destroying the neighborhood.
Mariana Evica
Richard Pacheco’s SCULPTURE was destroyed?! Oh this is just straigt up CRAP. Someone DOES need to talk to the mayor about this. HORRIBLE.
Helder
Sculpture was by Victor Pacheco. Not much the mayor can do as the sculpture/public art wasn’t protected by any city ordinance. While I find it appalling that his piece and the mural were destroyed, that is unfortunately the life of public/street art.
Kerri Provost
Well, if the Mayor can take time out of his schedule to get into some drama with a comedian (pretty sure that’s not in his contract) he surely can step up to comment on how business owners and landlords act in Hartford.
Real Hartford » The Fight Over 405
[…] recently reported that Capitol Grocery had begun to move into the former La Paloma Sabanera spot at 405 Capitol […]