former Hall's Pharmacy building in Wolfeboro

[beaner]

Lots of renovation activity on the 1st floor of the building that used to house Hall's Pharmacy, across from the Wolfeboro Post Office. Anyone know what's going into that spot? Looks to me like it could be a new dining establishment.

[XCR-700]

Wow, the loss of another piece of the lakes history,,,

Seems like they had been there forever,,,

I guess things must change eventually,,,

I suppose every generation goes through it, but it still seems strange to see so many changes in ones lifetime. Some clearly positive, some probably positive but don’t always seem like it or just seem disappointing even if it is better (I guess I’ll call them necessary evils), and then the ones that are clearly not an improvement (like the microwave popcorn that smells like industrial chemicals but that my wife seems to enjoy,,, YUCK!!!)

Well I hope its not replaced by yet another “hobby” business that is so overpriced or so specialized that no one can afford to shop there or don’t want to,,,

[Heaven]

Rumor is that a recently sold local eatery is moving locations

[Senter Cove Guy]

There was a sign outside today that said the Downtown Grill is opening soon.

[Grant]

At least it's not another fru-fru high-end boutique. Too bad the chain pharmacies chased out the family-owned establishments. Toby's and Hall's were old-school, high-touch.

A grill sounds pretty cool. Just so long as it's not a $9 burger grill...

[camp guy]

Several actions are involved with this event - namely, the Downtown Market Grille on Railroad Avenue, Wolfeboro, was sold, and it's last day on Railroad Ave was Saturday, August 14, 2010; concurrently, the new owners of the Grille (and I don't know if they kept the name or not) are moving into the space formerly occupied by Hall's Pharmacy on South Main Street directly opposite the Wolfeboro Post Office and they plan to open Tuesday, August 17th. No word on the status of the Railroad Avenue space.

[Seeker]

Wasn't the Downtown Grille on Railroad Ave?

Never mind.

[beaner]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Several actions are involved with this event - namely, the Downtown Market Grille on Railroad Avenue, Wolfeboro, was sold, and it's last day on Railroad Ave was Saturday, August 14, 2010; concurrently, the new owners of the Grille (and I don't know if they kept the name or not) are moving into the space formerly occupied by Hall's Pharmacy on South Main Street directly opposite the Wolfeboro Post Office and they plan to open Tuesday, August 17th. No word on the status of the Railroad Avenue space.

I observed a commercial refridge being moved in, so I figured we'd see either a restaurant or another florist. Thanks for confirming. They ought to do well in that spot.

[Heaven]

They put in two more windows facing the bay/park and there is a door directly from that side of the building up a couple of stairs into the restaurant. Great location.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Heaven

Rumor is that a recently sold local eatery is moving locations

Why would someone buy the Downtown Grille and then move it? Wouldn't it be easier and more cost effective to just open a new establishment at the Hall's location?

[fatlazyless]

Plenty of Hall's Pharmacy plastic shopping bags have been used for the past year at the Saint Vincent de Paul 2nd hand store in Laconia. Gone for good, the local neighborhood pharmacy named after the pharmacist's last name...like just about every small city in New England used to have a locally owned drug store.

Now, what has Meredith got? A store named Rite Aid, which is a misspelled commercialization for Right, that was started up in the 1980's or 1990's by a guy who got sentenced to 8-years in a federal penitentiary for securities fraud in 2002 for what he did with Rite Aid....shoulda named it Wrong Aid!

Just about every town used to have a locally owned independant food store, hardware store, and drug store. Now, we have Hannaford, Aubuchon, & Rite Aid.........lots-o-luck! These show that a chain brand retail store does not necessarily make for lower prices......lots-o-luck, again!

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Wow, the loss of another piece of the lakes history,,,

Seems like they had been there forever,,,

I guess things must change eventually,,,

I suppose every generation goes through it, but it still seems strange to see so many changes in ones lifetime. Some clearly positive, some probably positive but don’t always seem like it or just seem disappointing even if it is better (I guess I’ll call them necessary evils), and then the ones that are clearly not an improvement (like the microwave popcorn that smells like industrial chemicals but that my wife seems to enjoy,,, YUCK!!!)

Well I hope its not replaced by yet another “hobby” business that is so overpriced or so specialized that no one can afford to shop there or don’t want to,,,

Just to put it into perspective and I am more than sure that others can relate. My great-grandmother saw: the dawn of aviation, television, two world wars, the use of a nuclear weapon, the building and destruction of the Berlin Wall, the rise and fall a more than one government, the ability of women and african american's right to vote and that is only the big stuff.

I will agree that it is difficult to see the things that you remember growing up around disappear. For the most part it is all for the better and very seldom is it a bad thing.

[fatlazyless]

THe NH Craigslist business for sale section has a July 12 listing for a Wolfeboro convenience store that is located in a small shopping mall next to a NH state liquor store because the owner is retiring. It says that it grosses over $1-mil/year and does not show any asking price for the store.

[Heaven]

You mean we have to change the name of Labbe lake?

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by jmen24

Just to put it into perspective and I am more than sure that others can relate. My great-grandmother saw: the dawn of aviation, television, two world wars, the use of a nuclear weapon, the building and destruction of the Berlin Wall, the rise and fall a more than one government, the ability of women and african american's right to vote and that is only the big stuff.

I will agree that it is difficult to see the things that you remember growing up around disappear. For the most part it is all for the better and very seldom is it a bad thing.

And in my short lifetime, I have seen the advent of the transistor radio, man leaving the planet and setting foot on the moon, color tv and cable in most homes in America, the internet, cell phones that connected everyone to everything, the fall of communist Russia, plastic replacing virtually every other material (its even in our clothing and food!) digital imaging replacing film, organ – limb – and even face transplants (and soon to be artificially grown organs) designer pets (and soon to be children!) the rise of the welfare state and generations of people and families who do not know what it is to be self-sufficient, and the dumbing-down of our society that more people know the name Nike than George Washington, the cost of living increases/decrease in the value of our efforts where a single income no longer can support a modest middle class family, 5 major military campaigns and countless significant operations, acid and strip mining where mountains are removed, oil spills so massive that collectively they exceed the volume of Winnipesaukee, Nuclear contamination so bad that whole areas have been abandoned, PCB and PFOA contamination levels so high that virtually every person in the US tested showed positive results for exposure! And that’s just the big stuff,,,

Yes there have been improvements, many many of them, but are we better off overall than we were when I was a child,,, Hummm, not from my seat,,,, But that’s just one persons perspective.

But I am still hopeful that we can do better before my time on this ride ends,,,

[tis]

Yes, it is very sad Labbe's is closing. I didn't know it was for sale though.

[beagle]

The owner of the old Downtown Market Grille is opening up a new place in the old pharmacy building today. Its called something similar, Market Grille something like that. We ran into her yesterday and she confirmed it, opening today. Wow that was a quick move!

[jmen24]

XCR-700, don't get me wrong, I am in no way enjoying our current trend setting and change!

I am thinking that most of my futures change will be in the form of technology and medicine. There is that possibility of the final world war, but I digress.

There have been two businesses in Franklin that 1 just closed and the other is on the way out. Both have been in business for over 100 years. There are many factors that can cause this outcome and not all are economic.

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by beagle

The owner of the old Downtown Market Grille is opening up a new place in the old pharmacy building today. Its called something similar, Market Grille something like that. We ran into her yesterday and she confirmed it, opening today. Wow that was a quick move!

There is a new owner in the new spot, they purchased the business entity and as it common the previous owner is showing them the ropes.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by jmen24

XCR-700, don't get me wrong, I am in no way enjoying our current trend setting and change!

I am thinking that most of my futures change will be in the form of technology and medicine. There is that possibility of the final world war, but I digress.

There have been two businesses in Franklin that 1 just closed and the other is on the way out. Both have been in business for over 100 years. There are many factors that can cause this outcome and not all are economic.

Oh sorry, my reply was not a meant as a poke toward you nor was it a significant statement about the current changes.

Just expanding on what you said and something that I have been think about recently.

You will note that I acknowledge that there have been many improvements in our lives.

I have also been a bit displeased with the less than positive changes we have seen and making note of those as well. Whats the old adage, two steps forward, one step back,,,

So as my last message said “I am still hopeful that we can do better before my time on this ride ends,,,”

Hope that clears up any miscommunication on my part.

[nj2nh]

When I first came to the lake as a wee girl (not ages ago, but long enough), we had a party line phone and no TV. There was roller skating at the Bayview Pavillion in the Alton Bay. McGrath's store was still standing in the Bay. Shibley's Restaurant was a soda fountain. Dockside in Wolfeboro was a worn-down station. The Yum-Yum Shop was a tiny little place and there was a giant nutcracker on Main Street.

Now we have cable-TV and internet in our home. The pavillion has empty condos. Shibley's is a moderately good restaurant. McGrath's in any form is now gone. Dockside is, well, Dockside. The Yum-Yum Shop is a whole building now, but the nutcracker that I loved is gone.

I don't really like the cable, but my kids, too. I kinda miss the partyline just for the novelty of it. The internet is mighty handy. I hate the pavillion, but at least there is a building there. I mourn the loss of McGrath's. We LOVE Dockside. We haven't been in the Yum-Yum Shop in years. I miss the nutcracker.

Everything changes. Some for better, some not. Can't be helped either way. At least Pop's Clam Shell hasn't changed one iota!

nj2nh

P.S. I miss Bailey's, too.

[tis]

The store is now open and I am hearing good things about it. I haven't been.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by nj2nh

P.S. I miss Bailey's, too.

Ditto on the Baileys, thats a big Me too,,,,

And also Dots on RT 11 before the Alton rotary, and the tiny diner that was across from the Blue Jay mini golf (maybe Johns???) and the donut shop next to post office and whatever Shibleys ice cream stand used to be called,,, and so many more that I cannot even remember,,,

Good thing I have a bad case of the CRS (cant remember "stuff",,,) I think I'm better off that way,,,

[beaner]

Originally Posted by tis

The store is now open and I am hearing good things about it. I haven't been.

Haven't eaten there yet, but they did a beautiful job with the renovations.
This morning they sent a young waitress out to Cate Park, where artists were setting up booths for Art in the Park. She was passing out takeout menus and explaining that they'd be happy to deliver. Smart! I expect they'll do very well.

[John A. Birdsall]

As a person who has been to the lake for 63 years I recall the roller skating rink as well as all the other things. Ah, but just how many years ago did the roller skating rink close. I bet it was 20-25 years ago. Pops clam shell used to get me in trouble. I'd go there on Sunday morning maybe 11 or 12 and get a full clam plate dinner, then go home to a big spread that my grandmother would put out. And I said I wasn't hungry. Hmmm But I think Pops has changed I got sic from the clams in the near past, and have sort of been shy about going back.

[nj2nh]

I remember Dot's very well. That is where Johnson's is now.

I don't know of a diner unless you mean where they Olde Bay Diner is now. WE LOVE THAT PLACE!!!!!!!!!

I can only remember Shibley's as Shibley's, though.

I can't really recall when the roller rink disappeared, but it did make a short-lived comeback not so long ago. I know my kids existed then so in the last 16 years. It has been so many things, but while the current building is pretty, I am not convinced of its success. I can't imagine living in the middle of all that activity in the main part of the bay. You only need to go down the street a little bit to get peace and quiet so why live there?

I also remember the donut shop - we got moldy donuts once and never went back. Not something I miss all that much. We like Pops, but my kids can't get past one experience there and are reluctant to return as well.

nj2nh

[upthesaukee]

I think Shibley's was Victoria Pier. Not sure about the ice cream Shibley's. When I was at Camp Lawrence lo those many years ago, we took the three war canoes (big 10 or 12 person canoes) and paddled from the Camp to Alton and back, just to get ice cream at Victoria Pier. What a ride!

[trfour]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I think Shibley's was Victoria Pier. Not sure about the ice cream Shibley's. When I was at Camp Lawrence lo those many years ago, we took the three war canoes (big 10 or 12 person canoes) and paddled from the Camp to Alton and back, just to get ice cream at Victoria Pier. What a ride!

Quote, " I think Shibley's was Victoria Pier. "

Here's an old pic that I took where you can see the sign on the roof, without the gray hairs.

It's in the Alton section here on PhotoPost.



Terry
__________________________

[Lake Fan]

As long as we're strolling down memory lane, remember when Wolfeboro had a movie theater and a bowling alley? Before the movie theater, I remember seeing movies above the town hall offices. Heck, there was even a bowling alley in Melvin Village, if memory serves. We also had a party line telephone at the camp - everyone had a special "ring". Ours was two shorts.

Lots of changes over the last 40 years!

[tis]

Yes, I remember. I saw Ronald Regan at the movie theater over the town hall when he was running for president! Yep, I also remember the bowling alley and the one in Melvin Village. Wolfeboro was one of the last towns to get dial telephone. Our phone rang once. I remember if there was something going on in town you would call the operator and ask her where it was. Or if you were going visiting you would call her and ask her to forward your calls. I don't think we used that terminology in those days though. I remember there were red lights on the telephone poles in town and if they were lit there was a fire. I don't remember any more details about that though. Fun to remember those days.

[NoBozo]

Does anyone remember the Excelsior Mill (Factory) in Wolfeboro at the head of Back Bay. It was water powered and had a steam engine for backup power. All the verticle cutting machines were driven by overhead "Line Shafts" and leather belts. They made "Excelsior" from sawn logs. Excelsior was the "Green" predecessor of styrofoam peanuts used in packaging.

I took a tour of the mill one winters day back in 1970 or '71. I think there were three employees and one of them had worked there for over 60 years. We were told it was the last excelsior mill in the country. NB