Editor’s Picks
Group Gaming Space
As technology in the form of cell phones, hand-held devices and virtual gaming continues to grow, entertaining board games and tabletop games are enjoying a renaissance. Black Moon Games in West Lebanon has emerged as a must-stop spot for people who love to pursue this entertainment alone and with others. Grab a game or puzzle and play around in their comfy new game space or reserve the Lunar Lounge for a private game. www.black-moon-games.com
Retirement Living Community
Looking for a spot to retire and keep moving while you do? The Huntington at Nashua in Nashua, a Silverstone Living Community, consists of 16 new-build luxury apartments that allow you to con-tinue your independent lifestyle but with more fun and less worry. Enjoy fitness classes, scenic trail walks, locally sourced restaurant-style meals every night and
more. www.silverstoneliving.com
Community Fiber Arts
Here’s a great place to find your BFFs – best fiber friends. Smitten Yarn Co. in Rochester is a community gathering spot for knitters, crocheters and fiber artists. The family- owned Rochester business offers beginner and technique classes for new artists and a free maker’s group for more experiencd artists who want to work on projects and share inspiration with other makers. www.smittenyarnco.com
You’re Fired
Family-friendly Pottery
You don’t need to know how to throw clay and own a kiln to make your own pottery. At You’re Fired in Bedford, Concord and Salem, you can let your creative side shine by painting your own. This family-friendly spot has something for everyone, and you and your younger family members will have a blast painting a mug, plate or whatever your creative heart desires. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, they host a BYOB Ladies Night that’s perfect for unwinding with your girlfriends after work. www.yourefirednh.com
Beautiful Braids
Glow Hair Braiding offers women, men and children braiding styles inspired by owner Sarah Dak, a native of Sudan who opened her Manchester salon on Chestnut Street after she could no longer accommodate demand in her Bedford home, “It’s a major part of my identity as a Black woman,” she told 603 Diversity magazine last year. “It was my passion and love for braiding that made me open the shop.” www.glowhairbraiding.net
Fashion, Adventure & Brews
Treeline Outfitters
Part outdoor retailer, part taproom and part community space, Treeline Outfitters in Portsmouth focuses on the great outdoors. Their space is designed for you to explore, connect, celebrate and sip all while surrounded by high- quality and high-impact gear and apparel from local, sustainable and mission-oriented brands. You’ll feel like you’re preparing for your next adventure in an aprés mountain bar. www.treelineoutfittersco.com
Home[body] Goods
Homebody in Concord is on a mission to make your home a happy place and help you create beautiful, unique spaces. Explore their curated selection of home décor, gifts and baby products (many locally-made) for a last-minute hosting gift or baby shower gift. Shop online or stop in, and they will help you put together the perfect gift. www.homebodynh.com
Historic Gathering Space
Tucked along Merry Hill Road in Nottingham, The Barn at Merry Hill is an intimate gathering space for weddings, parties, graduations and everything in between. The barn was built in 1862 and renovated in 2023 by the team of the award-winning Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery. This gathering space is for anyone looking to celebrate in a historic New England setting, with first-class hospitality and cuisine. www.barnatmerryhill.com
Expert Alterations
Maria Chronas, who has been operating City Tailor at 179 Hanover St. in Manchester since 1990, has spent more than three decades altering wedding dresses, replacing zippers on jackets and altering hemlines on pants. When she’s not vacationing in her native Greece, Chronas keeps her shop open Tuesday through Friday plus a half-day on Saturday (when she closes at noon.) You can call her at 603-622-6882, but don’t bother looking for a website. She’s old-school.
Longarm Sewists
Quilters celebrate — Contoocook QuiltWorks in Hopkinton is ready to help you put the finishing touches on that project you’ve worked so hard to piece together. Co-owners Hester Campbell and Ruth Fischer love beautiful stitches that will enhance your quilt top. They use their longarm sewing machine to quilt together everything from table runners to queen blankets, or you can make something completely custom. They just ask that you bring your quilt top and backing, and they will help you choose stitch patterns, thread colors and batting. www.contoocookquiltworks.com
Sea Love
Custom Candle Bar
Gone are the days where you have to smell aisles full of candles before you find the scent you’re looking for. At Sea Love in Portsmouth, create your dream candle at their candle bar. They have more than 100 fragrances for you to mix and match and choose from to create a candle that is uniquely you. Their skilled team will walk you through mixing scents and melting wax, and will help you figure out how much of each fragrance you want in your candle to create a harmonious blend. You even get to pick your candle’s jar and design the label. www.sealoveportsmouth.com
Luxury Hosiery
Vienne Cheung Brown’s mantra for VienneMilano was simple: thigh-high stockings that don’t fall down. The Windham resident refers to her line of imported Italian hosiery — which sell for an average price of $25 but can top $120 — as “affordable luxury.” Most popular color? Black, of course. www.viennemilano.com
Herbal Wellness
Wellness is always in season. Back in Thyme Wellness and Herbs in Chester carries nutritional supplements, organic loose teas and herbs, handmade natural body products and gifts. Owner Heather Peloquin, a registered nurse who also is certified in nutrition therapy, clinical weight loss and other disciplines, has spent her career exploring alternative approaches to health care. Her business offers nutrition and herbal classes and individual consultations. www.backinthymewellnessandherbs.com
Ellie and Piper
Party Boutique
Ellie and Piper in Manchester is a fun community of party lovers who like to celebrate in style. The team loves to help
you commemorate life milestones, trips around the sun and festive holidays, all while finding the magic in every day. Shop their extensive curated selection of premium party goods, home décor and small gifts online, or hire them for event design and styling or for custom balloon-styling services. www.ellieandpiper.com
Hard-to-Find Antiques
A place with 22,000 square feet of antiques and a working model train set? New Hampshire’s largest antique store really does have it all. You never know exactly what you’re going to find at the Laconia Antique Center. With more than 150 dealers, the Antique Center has unique and hard-to-find antiques and collectables that include railroad memorabilia, vintage fishing and hunting equipment, postcards, furniture, silver, ephemera, and so much more. www.laconiaantiques.com
Readers’ Poll
Antique or Vintage Shop
Antiques on Elm
Manchester
www.antiquesonelmmanchester.com
★★★★★★★
Automotive Group
Grappone Automotive Group
Concord
www.grappone.com
Barbershop
Homegrown Barber Co.
Londonderry
www.homegrownbarber.com
Barbershop Multilocation Local
The Polished Man
Bedford
www.thepolishedman.com
★★★★★★★
Bicycle Shop
S&W Sports
Concord
www.swsports.net
Bicycle Shop Multilocation Local
Trek Bicycle
Hooksett and Nashua
www.goodalesbikeshop.com
★★★★★★★
CBD Shop
Clearly Balanced Days
Belmont
www.clearlybalanceddays.com
★★★★★★★
Cigar Shop
Twins Smoke Shop
Londonderry
www.twinssmokeshop.com
★★★★★★★
Comic Book Store
Double Midnight Comics
Manchester
www.dmcomics.com
★★★★★★★
Day Spa
Innovations The Salon & Spa
Merrimack
www.innovationsnh.com
★★★★★★★
Event Venue (Large)
Manchester Country Club
Bedford
www.manchestercountryclub.com
★★★★★★★
Event Venue (Small)
Oscar Wedding Barn
Hooksett
www.oscarbarnweddingvenue.com
★★★★★★★
Farmstand
Lull Farm
Hollis
www.livefreeandfarm.com
★★★★★★★
Florist
Ford Flower Co.
Salem
www.fordflower.com
★★★★★★★
Formal Dress Shop
Madeleine’s Daughter Bridal Boutique
Portsmouth
www.madeleinesdaughter.com
★★★★★★★
Garden Center
Wentworth Greenhouses & Garden
Rollinsford
www.wentworthgreenhouses.com
★★★★★★★
Gourmet To Go
Angela’s Pasta & Cheese Shop
Manchester
www.angelaspastaandcheese.com
★★★★★★★
Hair Salon (Special Occasion)
Salon Vinlie
Derry
www.salonvinlie.com
★★★★★★★
Hair Salon
Salon Vinlie
Derry
www.salonvinlie.com
★★★★★★★
Home Décor Shop
Junction 71
Merrimack
www.junction71.wixsite.com/mysite
★★★★★★★
Independent Bookstore
Gibson’s Bookstore
Concord
www.gibsonsbookstore.com
★★★★★★★
Independently Owned Fitness Center
Hampshire Hills Athletic Club
Milford
www.hampshirehills.com
★★★★★★★
Invitations
Ashley Elizabeth Designs
Pelham
www.ae-invitations.com
★★★★★★★
Jeweler
Bellman Jewelers
Manchester
www.bellmans.com
★★★★★★★
Jeweler for Engagement Ring
Bellman Jewelers
Manchester
www.bellmans.com
★★★★★★★
Kid’s Clothing Shop
M&C Clothing and Gifts
Amherst
www.mcclothingandgifts.com
Medical Spa
JSJ Aesthetics
Salem
www.jsjaesthetics.com
★★★★★★★
Men’s Clothing Shop
George’s Apparel
Manchester
www.georgesapparel.com
★★★★★★★
Outfitter/Guide Service
Lopstick
Pittsburg
www.lopstick.com
★★★★★★★
Pet Boarding
Take Five Dogcare
Lee
www.takefivedogcare.com
★★★★★★★
Pet Groomer
Mac & Copper’s Pet Supply Outlet
Portsmouth
www.macandcoppers.com
★★★★★★★
Pet Supplies Store
Mac & Copper’s Pet Supply Outlet
Portsmouth
www.macandcoppers.com
★★★★★★★
Pet Training
No Monkey Business Dog Training
Concord
www.nomonkeybusinessdogtraining.com
★★★★★★★
Resort/Hotel Spa
Spa at Omni Mount Washington
Bretton Woods
www.omnihotels.com
★★★★★★★
Secondhand Clothing Shop
M&C Clothing and Gifts
Amherst
www.mcclothingandgifts.com
★★★★★★★
Ski Shop
Ken Jones Ski Mart
Manchester
www.kenjonesskimart.com
Specialty Food Store
Angela’s Pasta + Cheese Shop
Manchester
www.angelaspastaandcheese.com
★★★★★★★
Tattoo Parlor
Arrows and Embers
Concord
www.arrowsandemberstattoo.com
★★★★★★★
Toy Store
Whirlygigs Toy Shop
Exeter
www.whirlygigstoyshop.com
★★★★★★★
Wine Shop
Wine on Main
Concord
www.wineonmainnh.com
★★★★★★★
Winery or Vineyard
LaBelle Winery
Amherst
www.labellewinerynh.com
★★★★★★★
Women’s Clothing Shop
Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.
Concord
www.gondwanaclothing.com
★★★★★★★
Yoga Studio
Humble Warrior Yoga
Manchester
www.humblewarriorpoweryoga.com