We're not lost, you just can't find us!

You know how, when you're in a crowd, you know that you're fine, but others may not know where to find you? We just discovered that we were lost in a crowd, but all along we've been just fine! While we're fixing that, if you want to get information on what's going on in Downtown Laconia from the people who are right there, check us out here, give us a thumbs-up, and stay in the know. The 2015 New Hampshire Coffee Festival is coming up in September, and we'll be posting here about that. If you use Twitter, you can follow us there, too! We're not lost, you just can't find us!

New traffic pattern begins Monday through downtown

Phases 1 & 2 of the bridge construction in Downtown Laconia is complete, and traffic will once again be able to travel north on Beacon Street East; the entrance to the free downtown parking garage will again be accessible from that direction. This is the official update from the director of the Laconia Public Works Department, Paul Moynihan:

"On Monday, August 18th adjustments at the work site on Main St. for the Phase 3 traffic lane configuration will take p...lace. This will involve removing of remaining concrete islands and shifting of concrete barriers such that the Main St. north bound traffic lane will be “jogged over to the right” in accordance with the Phase 3 Detour Plan. At this time, Beacon St. East will be re-opened to one-way north bound traffic. Phase 3 Traffic Pattern will be fully operational during the day Monday, August 18th.

From this point forward, access to the Laconia Parking Garage will be via Beacon St. East only. A unique feature of the Phase 3 work is the requirement to close-off the connection from Beacon St. West to both Main St. (north of the bridge) and Beacon St. East. This is necessary in order for the section of the bridge along this connection route to be fully re-constructed. Beacon St. East and Main St. (north of the bridge) will be fully accessible via Main St. running north bound from the Court St. Union Ave. Intersection. Motorists will need to plan their maneuvering the work site accordingly."

You can find detour maps here and regular updates and photos here. By mid-November the first 3 phases of construction will be done, in time for holiday shoppers to visit all of the downtown businesses conveniently. Meanwhile, don't let the detours get you down - downtown is open, and worth getting to. You can always call a local business directly and get detailed directions from your location!

 

Traffic Update for August 1st and 4th

We just heard this bit of news:

Tomorrow (Friday) and Monday (August 1 and 4) there will be limited work activity outside of the Beacon St. East/Main St. construction area.  The Contractor (R. M. Piper) will be making  modifications on the Beacon  St. West side of the bridge in preparation for the upcoming traffic shift required for the Phase 3 work on the bridge.  All efforts will be made to minimize impacts to traffic in Beacon St. West but there will be periodic stopping and/or slowing down of traffic directed by flag personnel. 

The next big traffic changes will be made in mid-August, and we'll let you know as soon as we can.

Daily pictures and updates are here.
The city updates are found here.

Happy Birthday, Dear Colonia Theatre!

Congratulations are in order! The wonderful Colonial Theatre building is 101 years old today! Come and celebrate under the marquee in beautiful Downtown Laconia with the Laconia Historic Society and others Sunday April 13th from noon to 2pm. Share visions and memories - and Happy Birthday, Dear Colonial!

Main St Bridge Update 4/4/14 - NOTE SATURDAY CONSTRUCTION!

 

 

 

The first full week of construction is coming to an end, and here is today's update from Main Street Initiative President John Moriarty:

 

According to Paul’s [Moynihan] morning update, the general work for today is:

 

n  Demolition of sidewalks within construction zone is primary work item

 

But, please take note of this poignant item:

 

n  Contractor (R. M. Piper) crew will work Saturday (4/5) from 7:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. inside barriers of work zone

 

It appears there shouldn’t be any impact on Saturday traffic flow or pattern.  If anything think of this as an opportunity for more customers.  Construction workers will occupy parking spaces normally available on Saturday however.

 

John Moriarty, president

Main Street Initiative of Laconia

john@mymoriarty.net

voice, cell, text 603.455.2084

 

Remember, you can get connected to the Main Street Initiative on both Facebook  and Twitter, or email us to be added to the mailing list. Let us know if you have questions or concerns!

Main St. Bridge Update 4/2/2014

The latest news; there will be more later from Main Street Initiative President John Moriarty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi All – Update this a.m. (Wednesday 4/2),

 

n  Phase 1 Detour in effect
 
n  Construction Progress Meeting # 1 at City Hall today at 8:00 a.m. – Room 200-A

 

n  Bridge Work essentially confined to the Beacon St. East construction area

 

n  Work proceeding in prep for existing concrete deck removal in the Phase 1 area

 

n  Some work on the perimeter of the work zone but traffic should flow unimpeded.

 

If you have questions or concerns, please call.  -- Paul

Main Street Bridge Update 3/28/2014

Did you know that you can follow the bridge project on Facebook, and also receive real-time posts on Twitter?

 

http://twitter.com/laconiamain

 

http://facebook.com/laconiamainstreet

 

Today’s update from Paul reads like a good end to the first week of activity.

 

Hi All, -- Update this a.m. (Friday 3/28),

 

n  Work around the site will be light today

 

n  Traffic on Beacon St. East and Beacon St. West will flow freely thru the day

 

n  Closure of Beacon St. East and Phase 1 Detour will begin Monday a.m. March 31^st – Details available on City Website – Main St. Bridge

 

If you have questions or concerns, please call.  – thanks,  Paul

 

As always, you can email, call or text with questions or comments, or even if grab a cool pic of the construction while it happens!

 

John Moriarty, president

Main street Initiative of Laconia

Cell / text 603.455.2084

Email: john@mymoriarty.net

Main Street Bridge Update 3/27/2014

Thank you everybody who expressed their appreciation for our efforts to send these emails.  I am glad to hear that you are receiving them and finding them helpful.

 

In addition to forwarding the messages from the City, we at Main Street are here to collect your questions and concerns and pose them anonymously to the City.  We will then post the questions and answers here so that in the likely event that others have the same question, it will save time and effort for all concerned.

 

Such was the case Tuesday.  We forwarded a question posed to us to the City and had an answer the same day.

 

Q.  “April 1^st is the start of fishing season, and myself and scores of other anglers enjoy dropping a line off the Main Street Bridge.  Will be able to do so this April 1^st, and what about April 1^st 2015”?

 

A. “We welcome and encourage anglers to take advantage of the salmon season in areas along the banks of the Winnipesaukee River that are not closed-off as part of the active Bridge Construction Zone.  In the immediate Main St. vicinity, the Beacon Street West bridge section, the Mill St. Pedestrian Bridge, Rotary Park, Stewart Park, the area behind the Landmark Inn (and Walgreens) and the Beacon St. West Riverwalk  are all fully available to the public.

 

In the 2015 cycle, the only difference should be that Beacon St. West would be closed because of active bridge construction, but, at that time, Beacon St. East should be fully available”.

                                --thanks to Paul Moynihan for that answer.

 

Director of Public Works, Paul Moynihan has one important announcement and the daily update to share:

 

NOTE:  R.M. Piper (Contractor) has confirmed that the Phase 1 Detour will be put into effect on Monday, March 31^st during the morning hours.

 

Hi All, -- Update this a.m. (Thursday 3/27),

 

n  Traffic Island at mouth of Beacon St. East (edge of Phase 1 work area) will be removed today

 

n  Site Prep work will continue on sidewalk area at the south end of the Parking Garage and with staging set-up under the bridge on the Beacon St. east side

 

n  Crosswalk striping around the work area will be enhanced

 

n  Traffic on Beacon St. East and Beacon St. West will flow freely thru the day with only periodic delays on the Beacon St. East side

 

 

Thanks for tuning in.

 

Yours truly,

John Moriarty, president

Main Street Initiative of Laconia

Main Street Bridge Update 3/26/2014

From Laconia Main Street Initiative President John Moriarty:

 

 

Good morning everyone – I am sorry this is so late.

 

I for one really appreciate the superb communication from Paul Moynihan regarding the bridge re-decking project.

 

Here is Paul’s update for today.

 

John Moriarty, president

Main Street Initiative of Laconia

 

Hi All, --Update this a.m. (Wednesday 3/26),

 

n  Beacon St. East wing will have minor lane-narrowing (with cones) while staging is set-up under the bridge

 

n  R.M. Piper will continue removing items on the sidewalk area at the south end of the Parking Garage

 

n  Time permitting, Piper will remove the easterly Traffic Island that is located in the Phase 1 work area

 

n  Traffic on Beacon St. East and Beacon St. West will flow freely thru the day

 

Main Street Bridge Update 3/24/2014

Mar 24 at 7:26 PM

Good evening everybody,

 

In this email, The Main Street Initiative of Laconia, is conveying information released by City Hall, pertaining to the Main Street Bridge repair project.

 

You are receiving this email because you have had some connection to our efforts or events.  However, the Main Street group, is in the process of updating our email distribution system, and as such we are potentially over communicating.  Please be patient with us, as we strive to share information with those who need to have the most up to date information, while we hone our list.  We understand that this may cause a minor inconvenience in the short run and apologize for doing so.

 

You may have noticed that in addition to the original staging area specified as proximate to Rotary Riverside Park, that as of today, there is an area in the municipal parking lot that is serving as additional staging.  We will pass along to you further details as they become available.  Alternately please check the city’s website for regular posts at http://www.cityoflaconianh.org/index.php/departments/publicworks-inside/main-street-bridge-construction/today-s-update

 

The first of such posts is copied below.

 

We know this is going to be a difficult process for proprietors, employees, customers, patients and parishioners, but please remember that this is going to be a very visible step in the many that will follow, to rebuild downtown Laconia. 

 

Please feel free to share concerns or questions that you have with me on my cell phone at 603.455.2084, or by email at john@mymoriarty.net.  I will forward them through the proper channels. 

Alternately share them directly with Paul Moynihan at the Department of Public Works.

 

Yours truly,

John Moriarty, president

Main Street Initiative of Laconia.

 

 

Excerpt from the City’s website:

 

Monday March 24, 2014

RM Piper crews will be working around the job site all this week. There will be no traffic detours this week but there will be occasional short-term traffic delays on Beacon Street East as Phase I job area is being prepared. A staging area has been delineated in the City Hall parking lot. Commuters are encourage to park in the Laconia parking garage. A construction trailer will be placed in Rotary Park this week. The Phase I detour plan is anticipated to begin Tuesday April 1. Changes to that schedule will be posted here.

World Championship Sled Dog Derby!

 

Thanks to the fresh snow, conditions could hardly be better for the World Championship Sled Dog Derby happening in Laconia this weekend. If you're coming to town to check out this great event, don't forget to head into downtown to visit the shops and restaurants that are here - plenty of new things to see! For more information on the Sled Dog Derby, go to their website. To stay connected with Downtown, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter! Mush!



We love a parade! And we love Small Business Saturday!

                               

Saturday November 30th is the Downtown Laconia Holiday Parade, presented by the Laconia Main Street Initiative and the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and sponsored this year by the Bank of New Hampshire, Franklin Savings Bank and the Soda Shoppe Laconia. Beginning at 11 am in the south end by Wyatt Park, the parade proceeds down Main Street to Veteran's Square for the tree lighting. Join us for marching bands, vintage cars, prancers, dancers, floats and more - and don't forget Santa and Mrs. Claus! Chef Kevin Halligan of the Laconia Village Bakery and Laconia Local Eatery is our Grand Marshall this year! All your favorite downtown merchants will be open, too, celebrating Small Business Saturday. Make sure you visit your favorite shops, check out the new ones, and see what a difference buying local can make! 

Growing Communities Grant

 Citizens Bank Foundation provides $35,000 grant for neighborhood revitalization in partnership with the Main Street Initiative of Laconia

Growing Communities initiative to stimulate economic development in downtown Laconia

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Citizens Bank Foundation today unveiled the details of its partnership with the Main Street Initiative of Laconia (MSI) as part of its Growing Communities initiative announced in September. Citizens awarded $70,000 in grants to neighborhood revitalization efforts in Nashua and Laconia, providing $35,000 for MSI to establish a façade-improvement program in downtown Laconia.

“Citizens’ Growing Communities initiative was established to help support and promote neighborhood-based programs that have a significant impact on communities across New Hampshire,” said Kathleen Reardon, SVP and Director of Public Affairs, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire. “Strengthening the health and economic vitality of our local communities is a priority at Citizens. We believe our grants will help enhance the character and overall well-being of these neighborhoods, support small businesses and spur additional investments in these communities.”

The Main Street Initiative of Laconia will provide matching grants of up to $5,000 to property and business owners inside the Beacon Street loop in the central downtown business district. The initiative will encourage businesses to make investments that beautify the downtown area, with the ultimate goal of decreasing vacancy rates and increasing consumer traffic.

“We are focused on revitalizing downtown Laconia by building community and encouraging investment in the area,” said John Moriarty, President of the Main Street Initiative of Laconia. “The façade improvement program will help local property and business owners grow their businesses and will contribute to the strength of the downtown.”

Belknap Economic Development Council will provide additional resources and technical assistance to help business owners strengthen their operations. Belknap EDC offers a loan fund for Main Street businesses across Belknap County that can be used to meet matching requirements. In addition, free business advisor services are available at Belknap EDC’s office to assist in project planning.

Successful applicants  must demonstrate that the façade-improvement project will enhance the appearance of the community, foster business growth and leverage additional resources. Application packets are available online at www.laconiamainstreet.org, or at the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Office on South Main Street. Completed applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2014.

Growing Communities is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program to contribute to the economic vitality of its communities. The Growing Communities initiative is designed to promote and make investments in neighborhood revitalization based on the existing assets of a community. Since 2012 Citizens has awarded $155,000 to neighborhood projects in Berlin, Manchester, Nashua and Laconia.  

About Citizens Helping Citizens

Grounded in the belief that a good bank gives back to its community and to the people who live there, Citizens Helping Citizens is a program embracing the community goals of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. – the commercial bank holding company serving consumer and small business customers as Citizens Bank and Charter One and commercial banking customers as RBS Citizens. The Citizens Helping Citizens program is composed of five key initiatives supported directly by RBSCFG and its nonprofit charitable foundations, the Citizens Charitable Foundation, the Citizens Bank Foundation and the Charter One Foundation: Citizens Helping Citizens Fight Hunger, Citizens Helping Citizens Provide Shelter, Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities (economic development), Citizens Helping Citizens Teach Money Management (financial education) and Citizens Helping Citizens Give (volunteerism and colleague charitable donations). Across all of these initiatives, Citizens Helping Citizens strives to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities.

You can access the grant application here

We Love A Parade!

It's just five short weeks until the annual Downtown Laconia Holiday Parade! That's plenty of time to gather friends, build a float and mark your calendar to participate and get into the holiday spirit! You can download registration and information forms here - thanks again to the Laconia Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the parade with the Laconia Main Street Initiative. We'll see you Downtown!

Something's Brewing this Weekend in Downtown Laconia...

NH COFFEE FESTIVAL -- All Things Coffee! DOWNTOWN, this Saturday Sept. 14th from 1-5 p.m. free admission rain or shine           The Main Street Initiative aims to wake up downtown by staging the first ever New Hampshire Coffee Festival sponsored by the Bank of New Hampshire this Saturday, September 14, from 1 - 5 p.m. John Moriarty, president of the organization, said that as home to three coffee roasting enterprises, Laconia was the ideal venue to celebrate one of the most popular beverages in the world.  Altogether nine coffee roasters will be among the more than two dozen vendors at the event offering coffee in all its many guises as well as "everything coffee," including popcorn, cup cakes, ice cream and even soap. Entertainment will feature the music of the Jonathan Lorentz Trio playing their own brand of what Moriarty called "coffee house jazz."  The Grace Capital Church will stage the "Java Games," a series of coffee sack races, coffee bean bag tossing and coffee tic-tac-toe capped by a coloring contest.  "There is something for all ages," Moriarty said.   Nate, 13, and Derek, 11, who work with their Dad, Jim Daubenspeck, at his Main Street shop, LaBelle's Shoe Repair, sneak in some intense training for the coffee bean sack race.  The race will be one of the premier contests of the Java Games, a family-friendly component of the inaugural, statewide, N. H. Coffee Festival to be held Saturday September 14, 2013.  There will be talk about how to brew a great cup of coffee - and what makes the difference! Dan Demers owner of D Squared Java of Exeter, New Hampshire will present a demonstration of "latte arts," or carving decorations to embellish a cup of latte. Of course there will be a place to sit and just enjoy the coffee and the ambiance! Moriartiy said that "building community before commerce is the mantra of the Main Street Initiative and a festival celebrating the most social and convivial of drinks provides an occasion for people to come together and share a common experience.  At the same time, he said that the festival is part of the Main Street Initiative's fundraising campaign, which aims to enhance the holiday lighting downtown as well as provide a scholarship to a start-up business.

Main Street is Hopping with Coffee Festival Preparations!

Nate, 13, and Derek, 11, who work with their Dad at his Main Street shop, LaBelle’s Shoe Repair, sneak in some intense training for the coffee bean sack race.  The race will be one of the premier contests of the Java Games, a family-friendly component of the inaugural, statewide, N. H. Coffee Festival to be held Saturday September 14, 2013. Come visit Downtown Laconia from 1-5pm and take in the sights, sounds and (of course) the aroma of this amazing event! Live music, delicious food, fun activity and vendors will be the order of the day -- along with your favorite coffee order!

New Hampshire Coffee Festival!

 

 

Join us for this fun event!

September 14th is the date for the inaugural New Hampshire Coffee Festival in downtown Laconia. From 1 pm - 5 pm, join us for live music by Jonathan Lorenz of The Jazz Bar in Weirs Beach, fun and games, latte art and all you could want to learn about coffee...not to mention the opportunity to try different brewing methods and coffee in many varieties. There will be food and personal care products and great fun walking around Laconia's beautiful downtown. Area merchants will be open, some with specials for the day, and we're looking forward to seeing you here to celebrate coffee with us! Call 603-455-2084 with questions, or email Laconia Main Street for more information.

Would you like to be a vendor? Here's the application:

See you at the New Hampshire Coffee Festival!

An Interview with Bryce Moore

 Note: This is from an article that appears in the Laconia Citizen on Monday, July 15th.

A CONVERSATION WITH

BRYCE MOORE

Wash & cut--$19.00; hair color--$60.00; perm--$65.00; a local young lady staying in Laconia to support her career & downtown--Bryceless....

By all accounts Bryce Moore, age 19, is a real go getter.  She has joined the Main Street Initiative and has not let her shortage in years be a shortage of ideas or results.  She takes this proactive approach to everything she does. The Main Street group sat down with Bryce recently and here’s what they learned:

Q: Tell us about yourself; what do you do?

Bryce: I'm a stylist at the Mr. Paul’s Hair Affair Salon on Canal St. in downtown Laconia.  I work right down the street from where I was raised!  

Q: Was styling\beauty always a career goal?  

A cardiologist friend of my parents saw my promise and suggested that I consider a career as a cardiovascular technician, so I started planning on that in high school.  In the back of my mind I found I was always thinking about hair.   Some of my relations worked in hair care, and I spent a lot of time in salons growing up.  A week before I was supposed to start my medical studies, I changed paths. It was a natural choice.  I enjoyed beauty school so much.  I met great people who became my best friends.

Q: Was it difficult to find employment in your field?  

I got a chance at a spot at Mr. Paul’s Hair Affair through some people who knew about my skills and referred me to Lori Chandler who gave me a shot and is now my boss.  I’m grateful to Lori for recognizing my potential.

Q: What does Laconia represent to you?  

My grandfather was a part time policeman here for 38 years. He also owned Bud's Gulf gas station on South Main Street.    When I think of Laconia, that's what first comes to mind.  Everybody knew Bud and my father too.  The sense of community is still strong here today.  It’s amazing how connected and caring this community is.

Q: Why have you chosen to stay in Laconia?  

I've lived here all my life, and I like it.  My parents are still here, and I'm close to them.  They've been big supporters of mine through everything.  My parents were not upset when I decided not to go to cardio-tech school.  They just said I should follow my dreams.  I really appreciate my parents unconditional love.

Q: What do you like about downtown?  

It's cute. There are all these cute little shops and my home is right around the corner too, so you can walk wherever you want...though I like to drive!  

Q: What one thing would you add to downtown?  

Maybe a store for people my age, with clothes and jewelry for my age group. Nothing too fancy, maybe something like this store my parents told me about, the old Junior Deb shop.  The sort of stores, that might carry things like what American Eagle carries, but in stores like they used to have in our downtown.  Maybe a coffee shop for people my age, with Wi Fi for the college students, so they wouldn't have only the library, where they usually have to wait for computers.

Q: What do you do on a Saturday night?  

It's always the same!  Every Saturday night since I was 15, I play pool with my dad at our friend's house. It's like my bonding time with him!  Then sometimes we go listen to live music afterwards.  Weoften go to listen to Lisa Guyer especially her solo performances.

Q: What else do you do in your spare time?  

I go shopping a lot.  I'm a hair nerd!  I don't get enough at work! I go shopping for hair care products.  No matter where I am, I’m always connected.  I hunt down new styles and cuts online.  Continued professional development is important but real growth happens when you take the initiative to learn yourself.

Q: What else do you do on the internet?  

I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. I talk to friends and look up stuff, mostly about hair. I like to watch movie trailers more than I like watching movies themselves. I listen to music. You can find almost anything online!  

Q: What music is on your playlist?

I listen to just about anything--any type of music.  My parents like '80's music, so I listen to that a lot. And I'm a big country fan; though I also listen to rap...so Credence Clearwater Revival, Journey, Zac Brown Band, but also Wale, and Tyga, because my brother likes him a lot....I think he's good too though.  

Q: What would we find surprising about you?

I go target shooting a lot!   I like shooting a Walther P-22 and recently my grandfather's 45 caliber police revolver.  That was cool!  I’m not the best shot, but I’m good enough.

Q: Tell us about your talents.

I sing pretty well, except I don't like to sing in public.  I took voice lessons for about a year, but the teacher made me study show tunes and I'm not that interested in Broadway, so I stopped, but to this day I use what I learned.

So maybe Bryce might seem at first glance like a typical young adult finding her fledgling wings.  But underneath that everyday exterior are exceptional abilities and startling accomplishments which are beyond price....but not beyond Bryce and are in short -- BRYCELESS.