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Downtown Hartford’s Big H

By Andy Hart

July 18, 2013

From above, the section of Downtown Hartford centered around Pratt, Trumbull and Main Streets looks like the letter H. We call it “The Big H.”

If the "Big H" were a city in itself, it would be quite remarkable. Hotels, educational facilities, residences, retail goods and services, office space and a diversity of restaurants fill these few blocks in the heart of downtown.

Many surprises greet the visitor. For example, on a Wednesday night, strollers from the the Hilton Hotel on Trumbull Street hear Irish music coming from McKinnon's pub, 114 Asylum Street. Visitors from all over the world are introduced to an "Irish Session" of local, regional and even international Irish musicians from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. McKinnon's also has entertainment Thursday and Friday nights. On the other end of the "Big H" on Main Street is City Steam with its award winning beers and popular comedy club, with specials and/or entertainment nightly.

The area is a mix of old and new: the old G. Fox building is now the Capitol Community College (and lots more). The old Sage Allen structure is apartments and Dish, a well known restaurant. Pratt Street itself is always changing with "pop up" stores coming soon.

A diverse retail and service street, Pratt has a shoe repair shop, a barber, a cigar shop, tailors, seamstresses, lawyers... a variety that many cities and towns would love to have. Only cities can attract such a mix - yoga, pole dancing, fast food and fine dining, opticians and quick printers are among the dozens of options.

Office buildings show where some of the customers come from. One address 31 Pratt has the Connecticut Republican Party, the Connecticut Bar Association, Vee Technologies, Career Beginnings, the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education and the MetroAlliance (including Hartford Chamber of Commerce). All these next door to "The Society Room", one of Connecticut's finest wedding and meeting facilities. Once the Society for Savings Bank, over five million dollars was invested into the bank facility to turn it into a meeting facility that is unequaled.

From Asylum to Church, Pratt to Main, action happens. Month after month, the Old State House at State House Square has varied programs, some even televised. It's Farmer's market is an ongoing summer long mini-festival.

So, be on the watch for new ventures, changes in the current businesses and the sense of excitement that "The Big H" brings to downtown Hartford.

Another surprise in Downtown!

The "Big H" houses a business called "Reliatex" that does business all across the United States - and down the street - in specialty items: Corporate Apparel, Accessories, Team Uniforms, Promotional Products, Silk Screen - Embroidery, Bags & Totes, Drinkware, Plaques & Awards ... and more. (Reliatex, 800-459-1485)