The New Hampshire Coffee Festival is Coming!

Whether it's a regular "cup o' joe" at your favorite diner, or a fancy "Double-tall-extra-foam-super-fancy" something at an upscale bistro, coffee is a big deal. On Saturday September 14th, Laconia, NH is hosting the New Hampshire Coffee Festival. From 1pm to 5pm, join us in and around downtown Laconia for tasting, art, family-friendly fun, music and more. All things coffee (and for you non-coffee drinkers, other things) will be featured, and there is still time to be a sponsor or vendor. Contact us for details! And if you're on Facebook, like the page for more updates.

"...That Our Flag Was Still There"

There are few sights more capable of stirring a sense of pride, justice and history than an American flag snapping briskly against a clear sky. The condition of the aging flags that we currently have to hang throughout Laconia comes nowhere near reflecting the pride and sacrifice that the American flag should represent to everyone who sees it. The tattered edges, faded stripes, and "Made in Taiwan" labels of the flags that await their installation downtown belies the respect that we feel for the flag, and the Laconia Main Street Initiative has made it a goal to change that.

The tattered flags and broken flagpoles that we currently have.

The Main Street Initiative feels strongly that American flags should be American-made, as durable as possible, and shown in their best possible light. Plantings of red, white and blue "Super-tunias" in  barrels and hanging baskets lining the streets will create a unified and pleasing setting for brand new American-made flags. Trustworthy Hardware on Union Avenue has offered to sell the Main Street Initiative both the flags and flagpoles, and we're working with Petal Pushers to provide the plants.

We have created an on-line campaign that will allow anyone who is interested in this project to make a donation to it, whether from within the area or not. This is about pride in the flag, and reverence toward its display. We are one small city, but don't think that should be an excuse for anything less than our best in putting forward the American flag. Donations will be accepted as well at All My Life Jewelers on Main Street and The Studio on Canal Street. Questions can be directed by email to laconiamainstreet@gmail.com or by phone or text to 603-455-2084. The Laconia Main Street Initiative is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible. 

Letter from the Main Street Initiative President

There is a lot going on with the Main Street Initiative - read about it from President John Moriarty:                         We are still hearing positive remarks about our planning session held at Pitman's Freight Room, and more importantly we are still receiving good input!  For each and every one of you who attended, thank you!  For those that couldn't please know we need your help too.

We appreciate your patience while we setup our email system and entered 156 people into the database.  With that running we hope to communicate more often.  Three dates you may want to be aware of are: #1:     Tues March 19th @ 7:00 p.m. at Pitman's Freight Room TRAIL TOWNS -- Carl Knoch will teach us how to merchandise our downtown to reach people using the WOW trail. We thank the WOW trail board of directors for bringing this program to us and jointly sponsoring it with the Main Street Initiative. #2:     Every Tuesday morning the Executive Committee meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the lower level of 600 Main Street.   #3:     Tues March 26th @ 7:30 a.m. in the lower level of 600 Main Street Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors   We will be electing our officers and directors.  If you have any interest in participating at that level please send a note to john@mymoriarty.net. Please stay tuned; Reuben, Sue, Lori and Melissa will be communicating with people who share an interest in their focus areas shortly.  Below is a brief review of what they are working on this week. Reuben in Economic Development is working on his first step -- building the data team. If you have an interest in counting, calculating or quantifying you'll fit right in.  (and we won't even point out your arithmomaniactic tendencies ;-).  Sue in Design has her hands full. Between the bridge construction, the way-finding project, the WOW trail and more, you'd think she would stop there. Instead, she has added working on making Spring in downtown even more beautiful than ever. Do you have a green thumb, was your undergraduate degree in horticulture, then please put us on your speed-dial list.  Lori in Promotions is working on several projects including one involving grapes, curds and barley. This group knows how to have fun and she'd love to share that joie de vivre with you.  Melissa is our grass-roots gal. While Reuben is working on big changes Melissa wants to start with SMALL CHANGE. Become a part of the team of People Advancing Laconia; Be her PAL.

Lastly, our efforts won't work in a vacuum. We want to help you build the downtown of your dreams. Do you have a project that you want to work on?  Do you need help getting other people involved or need help getting started?  Our hotline is always open 24/7. Call, text, email your thoughts and observations to 603.455.2084 or laconiamainstreet@gmail.com.  Yours truly,  John Moriarty, President, Main Street Initiative of Laconia

WOW! Mark your calendar and check this out!

The WOW (Winnipesaukee-Opechee-Winnisquam) Trail is one of the great things about Laconia, a beautiful, accessible amble along the lakeshore. Come on Tuesday March 19th and hear this presentation about how its only going to get better! 

From the director of the WOW Trail: 

The WOW Trail and the Laconia Main Street Initiative will be offering a special presentation, Capturing the Economic Potential of Rail Trails, on Tuesday March 19^th, 2013.  The program will be presented by Carl Knoch of the Rails to Trails Conservancy at Pitman’s Freight Room, 94 New Salem Street, Laconia at 7 pm.  

Planning and construction of several rail trails is currently underway in a number of Lakes Region towns: Bristol, Franklin, Northfield, Tilton, Belmont, Laconia and Wolfeboro. In addition, the 60 mile-long Northern Rail Trail was just named to the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Top 100 Rail Trails in the United States.  Rail trails add to the quality of life of local residents and can add to downtown foot traffic, but they are also an attraction for new visitors and a new type of year-round tourism.   

In this program Mr. Knoch will explain the types and levels of economic activity related to recreational trail tourism, how it varies with length of trail, and methods of attracting, welcoming, and enticing trail users into the community based upon the successful Trail Town Program in Pennsylvania (www.trailtowns.org). Carl Knoch has nearly 30 years of professional experience in marketing and marketing research.  In 2009, he was inducted into the Keystone Society for Tourism in recognition of his efforts to promote trails and tourism destinations. He also serves as a volunteer director for the York County Rail Trail Authority.

A question and answer session will follow the presentation.  

Business-owners, decision-makers and trail supporters are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.  Please RSVP to Diane Hanley at info@wowtrail.org or call 524-7821.

More information about the WOW Trail here.  More information about Laconia Main Street here.

(Image from Facebook)

Dog Days!

 After two postponements, the 2013 Lakes Region Sled Dog Races are on!! Read all about it here. These amazing pups are racing today and tomorrow, and Downtown Laconia is a great place to wander while you're in town. (image from Photo Gallery of LRSDC website from 2007 race)

Downtown Laconia: Main Street and More!

Laconia Local Eatery featured on WMUR

Recently our own Chef Kevin Halligan from Local Eatery was featured preparing a pan-seared scallop dish on WMUR. Feast your eyes on the lusciousness! Then plan your visit to Laconia to include dinner reservations at Local, or a meal at one of the other great restaurants we have within walking distance of the town center: Burrito Me, The Downtown Deli, Hector's, Laconia Village Bakery, The Soda Shoppe, or the new Vintage Cafe. Whatever your pleasure, you're sure to be happy with a visit to Downtown Laconia: Main Street and more!

New on Main Street!

Check out this good news:

In case you don't know what is going on in Laconia (NH) Main Street, we have recently had many new arrivals. We are very excited to have The Studio now on Canal Street along with HM Sign & Design combining space with Frates Creative Arts Center and Artisan Wool and Fiber now building out their storefront - These are all new to Canal Street!!! On Main Street we recently welcomed Vintage Emporium, The Vintage Cafe (which I highly recommend) and now we have Second Feature Antiques. Lord willing, tomorrow we will welcome Polished & Proper Barbershop & Shave Parlor which is located right next door to Daub's Cobbler Shop, LLC dba LaBelle's Shoe Repair.

Thanks to tireless Main Street supporter Jim Daubenspeck for this great capsule view of all the wonderful things happening in Downtown Laconia - it's Main Street and more!