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.

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

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!

Last Minute Local Shopping

It's beginning to look a lot like...those panicky few days left to shop before Christmas! Downtown Laconia merchants are up to the challenge of your final shopping list, and there's so much to choose from! If you need a snack or a meal, did you know that there are seven restaurants within an easy walk of the center of Downtown? There is something for everyone. Remember that the dollars you spend locally stay local, and you support your neighbors who live and work right here in   the Lakes Region.

Join us for the Holiday Open House Festivities!

There is so much going on in Downtown Laconia this Saturday! The start of the Frozen 5K, sponsored by MC Cycle and Sport on Main Street is the start of the Open House activities at many downtown locations. Merchants are offering deals and discounts, refreshments and more. It's a great opportunity to do your holiday shopping with local independent businesses as well as the chance to support some great local charities.

Did you know that you can have lunch and create a painting at The Downtown Deli? Artist Larry Frates is doing a Paint Along Lunch, and Elisa is already planning the Deli's famous Chicken Rice Soup as well as an Apple Squash alternative, and Drew is making his famous chili. Elisa's also experimenting with new cookie recipes, including a beer and bacon chocolate ganache creation that's amazing! The Studio on Canal Street will have refreshments all day, live music by Bob McCarthy in the afternoon and complimentary chair massage by Nancy Lee in the morning. You can enjoy a wine tasting and fresh hot roasted chestnuts at All My Life Jewelers, and Jim Daubenspeck is making his delightful leather shoe bell decorations again this year. Visit LaBelle's Shoe Repair for them, and to say hello to Jim! Take some time to stroll around and visit the new businesses and old, enjoy the holiday cheer, help a neighbor and support local independent business all in one convenient location.
 
 Downtown Laconia: it's Main Street - and more!

Welcome to Laconia Main Street!

Welcome to Laconia Main Street, the Lakes Region's best-kept secret for shopping, dining, services and recreation! While we build a better website for the new year, you should enjoy the updates here.

Saturday November 24th brings bands, dancers, vintage cars and more to our Main Street in the annual Holiday Parade! The parade starts in the south end of town and continues down Main Street, ending up with Santa's arrival in Veteran's Square for the traditional lighting of the Christmas Tree! With new lights, it's sure to be a focal point of downtown visiting. Many downtown merchants will be open before, during and after the parade - come early and stay late to visit them! There are several new and newly moved businesses, too -- don't miss them!

The Laconia Main Street Initiative is hosting its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday December 8th. Participating merchants welcome you to browse and shop local independent businesses, offering holiday specials, refreshments and unbeatable service from people whom you know -- and who know you!

We're building a better downtown for Laconia, and a better website to match. Watch for it in the new year, and visit our brick and mortar locations today, whether you need a gift, a service or just a smile! Laconia Main Street - it's Main Street, and more!