What do you want/need in the region for business?

Nitronut · 06-23-2010, 12:57 PM

What about something that incorporated a lot of these ideas. Kind of a private club that also provided a high end gourmet restaurant, cigar lounge, and office services. Similar to the 100 Club in Portsmouth. There could be a board room for meetings, secretary(s) and computer/video conferencing equipment, and maybe a locker room for storage of private, hard to find, wines, liquors, cigars or other personal products. Limousine service for airport runs and so local "designated driver" needs were met. Additional services for members could include a concierge service for trip bookings and lake needs, and a winter cleaning, maintenance service for checking on vacant properties. Maybe even a spa/massage services.
Would there be a need for this? Maybe a Guilford location, close to the airport? Kimball Castle perhaps. On the 20 plus acres surrounding the castle you could put high end cabins for visiting guests and business associates, that you want close but not too close.
What would be the value $$ or this type of service? What would be the interest level?

Winni P · 06-23-2010, 01:55 PM

I'd love to see a Freedom Boat Club type of business up there!

birchhaven · 06-23-2010, 02:13 PM

Do you think a freedom boat club would work on the lake? I always was intrigued with the idea of no maintenance, different boat everyday, and no dock fee, but the 5k sign up charge always killed me.

Winni P · 06-23-2010, 02:46 PM

I'm not sure if it would work but it intrigues me too. I live on the ocean and we have talked about joining someday. If it was available at the lake, I would join in a heartbeat.

Nitronut · 06-23-2010, 03:03 PM

I just checked it out. Not a bad deal when you think about it.
I know my $50K boat costs me about 410/mth loan payment, $500+/yr maintenance, $300/yr winterizing, $600/yr insurance, not to mention the headache of storing it. What's that $6310 per year. Although in my case, moving the fishing gear in and out each time would be a huge ordeal. But if you live in multiple spots for different seasons, or travel waterfront frequently, I could see where this would be great.
Ouch! It just dawned on me how much I'm spending before gas, oil, and fishing fees.

jrc · 06-23-2010, 07:23 PM

I seem to remeber Fay's have a sailboat club in the past?

fatlazyless · 06-23-2010, 07:53 PM

Driving past on the road that skirts Paugus Bay, it looks like the Paugus Bay Sports Shop has done sold its last fishing bait and done closed up for good. Hate to see a locally owned small biz get closed up and probably succumb to the nearby fishing dept at Wal-Mart, or something like that.

Noticed there's a new business that's opened in the Meredith shopping center in the spot formerly occupied by The Tape Escape. Believe the new biz is a Verizon Wireless Telephone store....which for me is totally underwhelming....give me the old stores....Ben Franklin, Parafunalia, Tape Escape & October Farm any day of the week and twice on Sundays...as opposed to what's now there.....and this is supposedly progress?

Like wow....a Verizon Store....ugh!

Betcha the rent in there is very high, because one large storefront next to Rite Aid has been continuously vacant since Thanksgiving 2008, when the construction was completed, and a Verizon can no doubt swing a steep rent.

Hannaford....no-way, Rite Aid....is the wrong aid, and now a Verizon store....good grief!

VitaBene · 06-23-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Driving past on the road that skirts Paugus Bay, it looks like the Paugus Bay Sports Shop has done sold its last fishing bait and done closed up for good. Hate to see a locally owned small biz get closed up and probably succumb to the nearby fishing dept at Wal-Mart, or something like that.

Noticed there's a new business that's opened in the Meredith shopping center in the spot formerly occupied by The Tape Escape. Believe the new biz is a Verizon Wireless Telephone store....which for me is totally underwhelming....give me the old stores....Ben Franklin, Parafunalia, Tape Escape & October Farm any day of the week and twice on Sundays...as opposed to what's now there.....and this is supposedly progress?

Like wow....a Verizon Store....ugh!

Betcha the rent in there is very high, because one large storefront next to Rite Aid has been continuously vacant since Thanksgiving 2008, when the construction was completed, and a Verizon can no doubt swing a steep rent.

Hannaford....no-way, Rite Aid....is the wrong aid, and now a Verizon store....good grief!

FLL, that is really LR Computer. They are also Verizon resellers. They are a locally owned computer store where you can always get good advice and gear.

Argie's Wife · 06-23-2010, 11:54 PM

...and can we have coffee shops in the LR more than Dunkin Donuts?

I really don't like their coffee and I hate their pre-fab pastries.

Gimme strong, almost rude, dark, Turkish coffee. Give it a tastee carb-loaded, home-made pastry for a side-kick... and I'm in love.

Where's one of these type of places in the LR?

(And for the love of all that's holy, please don't say 'Starbucks' in Tilton.)

Shreddy · 06-24-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

...and can we have coffee shops in the LR more than Dunkin Donuts?

I really don't like their coffee and I hate their pre-fab pastries.

Gimme strong, almost rude, dark, Turkish coffee. Give it a tastee carb-loaded, home-made pastry for a side-kick... and I'm in love.

Where's one of these type of places in the LR?

(And for the love of all that's holy, please don't say 'Starbucks' in Tilton.)

Careful expressing these feelings. Area business owners are scared this might hurt their business!

Lucky1 · 08-26-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Careful expressing these feelings. Area business owners are scared this might hurt their business!

Shreddy, How will the local businesses know how to improve to keep a strong business if no one ever says what could be better????

Shreddy · 08-26-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Shreddy, How will the local businesses know how to improve to keep a strong business if no one ever says what could be better????

Go back and read the thread...you'll see the slight debacle I was involved in.

jmen24 · 06-25-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

...and can we have coffee shops in the LR more than Dunkin Donuts?

I really don't like their coffee and I hate their pre-fab pastries.

Gimme strong, almost rude, dark, Turkish coffee. Give it a tastee carb-loaded, home-made pastry for a side-kick... and I'm in love.

Where's one of these type of places in the LR?

(And for the love of all that's holy, please don't say 'Starbucks' in Tilton.)

I have the coffee that you are looking for and it can be brewed on an stove top but preferably over an open fire.

Take a nice steel coffee brewer (the old style perc type work best, can also use a pot, but either way you need to be able to stir with a wooden spoon, so get a biggin), now throw out all that percolating garbage on the inside so you are left with just a brewing pot and a lid.

Fill with water (leave some space at the top for a tall glass worth of additional water) and add in your ground coffee, how much does not matter, dump, scoop, whatever you are in the mood for. Get that into a rolling boil.

Once boiling, remove from the heat and start stirring the pot, you are looking for a good funnel shape in the center, not washing machine style stirring. Got a good current, good, now pour in a glass full of ice cold water and let the current go away on its own. No more agitation from the brewmaster or else.

Over 90% of the coffee grounds will be at the bottom of the pot and unless you pull the short straw you will have a great STRONG cup of coffee to get you going. Short straw gets the last cup and something about having to chew your way to the bottom of the cup just does not sit well with some folks.

And DO NOT think of adding sugar or milk to this style of coffee, that stuff is for skirts and it will not be able to handle the power brought on by the "coffee".

Enjoy

Lucky1 · 08-26-2010, 04:19 PM

I love Canoe but miss the great pizza that used to be there in part of the former restaurant.

I miss Trues and I miss Fullers!

I love Hannafords and am there two or three times each week and have never had the slightest problem getting in or out.

angela4design · 08-26-2010, 04:28 PM

Ooohhh! Panera! That's a brilliant idea!

That intersection at 3/25 is under review by the NHDOT for consideration and planning of a traffic circle. I'm not sure what stage it's in now, but I think it's still being planned and designed. After completed, I suppose it would go to the town for approval?? (Maybe they did that first, IDK)

That would certainly have an impact on the traffic at Crosspoint. Although, I don't expect it will make it any easier to get out!

Lakesrider · 08-31-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I love Hannafords and am there two or three times each week and have never had the slightest problem getting in or out.

You need to go food shopping two or three times a week? Man! You must have a very hungry family.

Then again being a regular like that they must send someone out to stop traffic for you.....

Tomt · 08-29-2010, 03:13 PM

I would love to see a store similar to J.Pace and sons in Saugus, Ma. I say it to my wife all the time. They have a great bakery, cold cuts, prepared foods, marinated meats, imported products. If I had any knowledge of running that type of business and the nerve to jump into the market in that area I would do it myself. As much as I enjoy alot of the food establishments in the Moultonborough area, a place like Pace's would blow them all out of the water when it comes to that type of store.

http://jpaceandson.com/index.php

twoplustwo · 08-29-2010, 04:18 PM

Tom, you need to check out The Wine'ing Butcher in Meredith or Gilford. Wonderful foods of all kinds.

http://www.thewineingbutcher.com/

Tomt · 08-29-2010, 04:56 PM

Yes, I will try Meredith I was in the one in Gilford a couple of years ago. What they do sell is very good, from the website it looks like they have more than I remember. I will certainly make it a point to go into meredith.

Thank You

Argie's Wife · 08-29-2010, 05:31 PM

There's now Fiddleheads Market in Alton, right on Main St. They seem to feature various vendors - such as a The Meat Market, a seafood market, a cheese shop, and a bakery. Excellent wine and beer selection. Their produce is mostly local and very inexpensive.

And it appears a wine shop will be opening on Main St. in Alton, just across the street from the Town Hall. I don't know details on the dates of the grand opening or anything but I have seen an old, unused building go from "blah" to "WOW!" in a restoration project to make the market look very nice.

Alton Bay · 08-30-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

And it appears a wine shop will be opening on Main St. in Alton, just across the street from the Town Hall. I don't know details on the dates of the grand opening or anything but I have seen an old, unused building go from "blah" to "WOW!" in a restoration project to make the market look very nice.

Any idea when the wine shop will open?

NHBoat70 · 10-31-2010, 12:22 PM

This area is awful for single people in their 20s and 30s. There is no place to go after 9pm between Columbus Day and Memorial Day besides the bars which get old really quick. Even during the summer there aren't many places around here that are geared toward the younger crowd and/or are fun.

There should be a pool hall/bowling/darts/other games place geared toward youthful members, but add some class by requiring a dress code of some sort. I'm tired of going out and seeing all these bums or "ganstas" who always cause trouble. Have a lounge some place in town where you need to wear black shoes, a buttoned down shirt and charge $5 or $10 to get in.

Its sad how everything is done through the Internet now and thanks to these stupid smart phones, there is little to no face-to-face social interaction with anyone. There are no places to meet people outside of the bar setting. If there is, please tell me!

Greene's Basin Girl · 11-01-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBoat70

This area is awful for single people in their 20s and 30s. There is no place to go after 9pm between Columbus Day and Memorial Day besides the bars which get old really quick. Even during the summer there aren't many places around here that are geared toward the younger crowd and/or are fun.

There should be a pool hall/bowling/darts/other games place geared toward youthful members, but add some class by requiring a dress code of some sort. I'm tired of going out and seeing all these bums or "ganstas" who always cause trouble. Have a lounge some place in town where you need to wear black shoes, a buttoned down shirt and charge $5 or $10 to get in.

Its sad how everything is done through the Internet now and thanks to these stupid smart phones, there is little to no face-to-face social interaction with anyone. There are no places to meet people outside of the bar setting. If there is, please tell me!

Your right- there aren't many places to go. Back in my teens and twenties there were a number of places to go to where you could socialize and dance. Of course that was many many moons ago!

Lakesrider · 11-01-2010, 09:55 AM

Hey my thread made it to the elite status of over 10000 views....Yippeee....I am somebody now.

I agree with the no place to go comment. Noticed that as soon as I moved up here. Does everyone up here own black shoes though? Jus' sayin'!

I'd love to open a club like the Bahama Beach club of the 80's down in MA. I used to go there all the time until it burned down. I wouldn't think people would mind dressing up a bit and throwing down $10.00 every once in a while for some dancing and socializing. You are right. The bar scene gets a bit old after a while. You see the same old bar flys.....

fatlazyless · 11-01-2010, 10:12 AM

Friday nites, 6-8-pm, at the Meredith Community Center, for just one dollar you can get instruction in climbing their 24' high 'Mt Meredith' climbing wall which includes a wicked bad overhang!

Who knows....maybe they could raise the price up to ten dollars and require 'Lakeside Semi-Formal Attire' for this weekly Friday night event and serve up an adult beverage or two or three. (See other thread down in winter sports because it will not be held on Nov 12 or Nov 26.)

Lakesrider · 11-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Oh I would love to see that on video. Bunch of inebriated people trying to do a climbing wall.....That would be a barrel of laughs....

"Come on Fred...Hic....I'll...Hic...race ya to the top...hic....."

Soapmistress · 11-05-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Friday nites, 6-8-pm, at the Meredith Community Center, for just one dollar you can get instruction in climbing their 24' high 'Mt Meredith' climbing wall which includes a wicked bad overhang!

Who knows....maybe they could raise the price up to ten dollars and require 'Lakeside Semi-Formal Attire' for this weekly Friday night event and serve up an adult beverage or two or three. (See other thread down in winter sports.)

Hmmmm......rock climbing for a buck, I'm in....sounds like fun

Airedale1 · 03-04-2011, 11:31 AM

This week I took a trip to The Butterfly Place in Westford, MA. Here is a link to their site: https://butterflyplace-ma.com/

They open around Valentines Day (2/14) and stay open until October 31st. They are open 7 days a week.

For those of you that have never been to this type of business. They are a large indoor greenhouse garden with hundreds of butterflies flying all around you. Also they have a pair of Gouldian Finches flying freely inside and a lovely Koi pond. There are benches inside that you can sit down on and just enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Also, it is 80 degrees inside there.

It is a wonderful escape from Winter. It is about 70 miles from Laconia. If we had one here in the Lakes Region I would be there at least once a week in the Winter.

Below are a few images that I took there.

I think this type of business would be a wonderful and welcome addition to the Lakes Region.

SIKSUKR · 03-04-2011, 12:28 PM

Just stunning photos. That's no phone camera.

Lakegeezer · 06-24-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

FLL, that is really LR Computer. They are also Verizon resellers. They are a locally owned computer store where you can always get good advice and gear.

Actually, a good computer store would be nice. I've been in LR computer for several things and always walk out empty handed. The last time in there, I was looking for blank CDs. I ended up finding one selection at Heaths Hardware. LR Computer seems to be mostly about Verizon phones with a bit computer stuff thrown in.

Lucky1 · 08-26-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

I seem to remeber Fay's have a sailboat club in the past?

Fay's did have a sailboat club as my daughter was a member there. I would trail her boat (and sometimes another member's boat on top of her boat) off to different races around NH and VT. This would have been around the mid nineties. Don't know what happened after that.

pit martin · 08-27-2010, 07:06 AM

I go to the ICSC (shopping center deal making) in NY and most recently in Boston. The owners of this development had a booth at both, actively seeking to locate a tenant . They obviously are looking for a National Tenant to fill the entire vacant space.

Mr. V · 08-27-2010, 10:30 AM

Laconia needs an Urgency Care Clinic!

I needed a simple, outpatient procedure performed, and since I am from out of the area I had no regular physician.

Out West, we have many walk-in Urgency Care Clinics to choose from, and yes, they take insurance.

Not Laconia.

Heck, I walked into an ENT's office and they refused to see me unless I had a referral from another doctor!

So, off the the Emergency Room, which was drastic overkill for the medical issue at hand.

BTW, the ER at the hospital was not impressive: the people were good, but the physical plant leaves much to be desired.

Why no Urgency Care Clinics / walk-in clinics in Laconia?

This omission seems curiously inexcusable.

RI Swamp Yankee · 08-29-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

.... Why no Urgency Care Clinics / walk-in clinics in Laconia?

....

THAT seems like a major need that should be addressed, maybe by the local hospital if a few local doctors can not get together and do it.

tis · 08-30-2010, 07:32 AM

There should be one in Wolfeboro too. I think it would do a tremendous business. However, can you imagine all the rules and regulations?????

AmericanBoatClub · 08-25-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winni P

I'd love to see a Freedom Boat Club type of business up there!

Not sure if this post is too much of an advertisement? If it is I am sorry and I am sure it can be taken down, but it seems relevent.

We will be launching our club in the spring of 2011, we are very excited about it. We agree the lake seems to be lacking a great boat club. So come 2011 you will be able enjoy our fleet of boats for less than the cost of a boat slip!

Our website is underconstruction but you can find us on facebook, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laconi...5126999?ref=ts

VitaBene · 08-25-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericanBoatClub

Not sure if this post is too much of an advertisement? If it is I am sorry and I am sure it can be taken down, but it seems relevent.

We will be launching our club in the spring of 2011, we are very excited about it. We agree the lake seems to be lacking a great boat club. So come 2011 you will be able enjoy our fleet of boats for less than the cost of a boat slip!

Our website is underconstruction but you can find us on facebook, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laconi...5126999?ref=ts

Not too much of an advertisement at all. Our esteemed webmaster has stated on this forum that your type of response is perfectly acceptable.

Frankly, I think your service will be warmly welcomed by many including Don- he seems like a perfect candidate.

fatlazyless · 08-25-2010, 07:44 PM

Anyone else notice how the large commercial retail space in Meredith between the Rite Aid and the sporting goods store has never been occupied. The construction of the building was finished in November 2008 and it is still waiting for its' first commercial tenant to pay rent, occupy the space, build a store, and open for business.

So, what's taking so long? Cross Point, the owner of the strip mall that includes the Meredith Hannaford's is most likely asking themselves the same question.....like what the heck is happening....and after about 21 months being 'for rent' and unoccupied....what is the problemo with this very large vacant store?

What would be a viable business in there that could succeed for years & years.....good grief....tough one to answer? So far, after about 21 months of vacant commercial store space, the apparent answer is NO BUSINESS is a go in there. Way to go Cross Point! They have created an unused and unrentable retail space in the very same location that was home to some popular and successfull stores from 1971 to 2007.....36 years of long term, locally owned retail comes to a halt when the big money, Cross Point, spends big to buy the property, and lo & behold, Crosspoint so far for 21 months has created a very large, unrentable storefront.

Nice job!

mishelmeis · 08-25-2010, 10:27 PM

I would like a pizza place that delivers to the islands. Or any kind of meal delivery out here...

pm203 · 08-26-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishelmeis

I would like a pizza place that delivers to the islands. Or any kind of meal delivery out here...

How about a pizza place that makes thin crust quality type of pizza?

Greene's Basin Girl · 08-26-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Anyone else notice how the large commercial retail space in Meredith between the Rite Aid and the sporting goods store has never been occupied. The construction of the building was finished in November 2008 and it is still waiting for its' first commercial tenant to pay rent, occupy the space, build a store, and open for business.

So, what's taking so long? Cross Point, the owner of the strip mall that includes the Meredith Hannaford's is most likely asking themselves the same question.....like what the heck is happening....and after about 21 months being 'for rent' and unoccupied....what is the problemo with this very large vacant store?

What would be a viable business in there that could succeed for years & years.....good grief....tough one to answer? So far, after about 21 months of vacant commercial store space, the apparent answer is NO BUSINESS is a go in there. Way to go Cross Point! They have created an unused and unrentable retail space in the very same location that was home to some popular and successfull stores from 1971 to 2007.....36 years of long term, locally owned retail comes to a halt when the big money, Cross Point, spends big to buy the property, and lo & behold, Crosspoint so far for 21 months has created a very large, unrentable storefront.

Nice job!

The shopping center needs a traffic light. Maybe that would bring in a new business. I avoid it in the summer because it is too tough to get out of there and head back to Moultonborough

SAMIAM · 08-26-2010, 08:35 AM

To answer your question,FLL.....People are very wary of starting a new business or expanding and existing one because no one knows what the future holds with taxes.Obama care looms,He also wants to let the Bush tax cuts end which will result in a huge increase.Trillions in deficits....huge slump in home sales,retail sales are stagnant....sorry to paint a bleak picture but people in business are not looking to expand,we are circling the wagons for tough times ahead.

fatlazyless · 08-26-2010, 08:53 AM

Cross Point is a Massachusetts company, managing Massachusetts shopping malls, so most likely they figured what worked for them in setting commercial rent in Mass could be used in New Hampshire. As you say Samian, the macro-U.S.-economy is struggling to recover, and the micro-local economy is seasonal Meredith.

So's, the answer is pretty obvious, we all need to go get a job working for the public sector, which includes the schools, local, county, state, and federal governments and everyone will go home happy at the end of each day's work.

Anyway, after 21-months of vacancy, maybe Cross Point cannot consider lowering the rent because the cash flow would not be enough to cover their mortgage......or something like that?

Dr. Green · 08-26-2010, 09:20 AM

Cross Point has a certain clientele in mind, and is not very flexible. Twice I have tried to rent a space in the plaza (a smaller space) and both times, after a tour and interview and promise to get back to me, they never did. The rent was pretty high (which may be another reason why they are not attracting tenants) but given that I was willing to pay it, it was a surprise they did not get back to me (or return my phone calls).

fatlazyless · 08-26-2010, 10:55 AM

www.nh.gov/liquor/stores.shtml or www.dollartree.com come to mind as two possible tenants who could probably make the large empty storefront, next to the Rite Aid, work? The space is so large, it might be big enough for both stores at the same time.

winniplayhouse · 08-26-2010, 01:53 PM

Though it would be nice to see a small, local business go in there, I can't imagine who would be able to take that risk. If it's going to be some kind of chain, I could see a Panera doing well there.

Lucky1 · 08-26-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

www.nh.gov/liquor/stores.shtml or www.dollartree.com come to mind as two possible tenants who could probably make the large empty storefront, next to the Rite Aid, work? The space is so large, it might be big enough for both stores at the same time.

Loved the Dollar Tree or the Dollar store in Plymouth. Got all kinds of Disney things there for kids for a trip to Disney. Much cheaper to buy a few things there for time in the hotel rooms and lines and restaurant waits.

06-23-2010, 01:55 PM	#2
Winni P Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Saunders Bay Posts: 99 Thanks: 132 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Freedom Boat Club I'd love to see a Freedom Boat Club type of business up there!

06-23-2010, 02:13 PM	#3
birchhaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 132 Thanks: 14 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts	boating club Do you think a freedom boat club would work on the lake? I always was intrigued with the idea of no maintenance, different boat everyday, and no dock fee, but the 5k sign up charge always killed me.

06-23-2010, 02:46 PM	#4
Winni P Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Saunders Bay Posts: 99 Thanks: 132 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Boat Club I'm not sure if it would work but it intrigues me too. I live on the ocean and we have talked about joining someday. If it was available at the lake, I would join in a heartbeat.

06-23-2010, 07:53 PM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,916 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 305 Thanked 1,052 Times in 766 Posts	Driving past on the road that skirts Paugus Bay, it looks like the Paugus Bay Sports Shop has done sold its last fishing bait and done closed up for good. Hate to see a locally owned small biz get closed up and probably succumb to the nearby fishing dept at Wal-Mart, or something like that. Noticed there's a new business that's opened in the Meredith shopping center in the spot formerly occupied by The Tape Escape. Believe the new biz is a Verizon Wireless Telephone store....which for me is totally underwhelming....give me the old stores....Ben Franklin, Parafunalia, Tape Escape & October Farm any day of the week and twice on Sundays...as opposed to what's now there.....and this is supposedly progress? Like wow....a Verizon Store....ugh! Betcha the rent in there is very high, because one large storefront next to Rite Aid has been continuously vacant since Thanksgiving 2008, when the construction was completed, and a Verizon can no doubt swing a steep rent. Hannaford....no-way, Rite Aid....is the wrong aid, and now a Verizon store....good grief! __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

08-29-2010, 04:18 PM	#18
twoplustwo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 456 Thanks: 51 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	Wine'ing Butcher Tom, you need to check out The Wine'ing Butcher in Meredith or Gilford. Wonderful foods of all kinds. http://www.thewineingbutcher.com/

06-23-2010, 12:57 PM	#1
Nitronut Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Barrington, NH Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	What about something that incorporated a lot of these ideas. Kind of a private club that also provided a high end gourmet restaurant, cigar lounge, and office services. Similar to the 100 Club in Portsmouth. There could be a board room for meetings, secretary(s) and computer/video conferencing equipment, and maybe a locker room for storage of private, hard to find, wines, liquors, cigars or other personal products. Limousine service for airport runs and so local "designated driver" needs were met. Additional services for members could include a concierge service for trip bookings and lake needs, and a winter cleaning, maintenance service for checking on vacant properties. Maybe even a spa/massage services. Would there be a need for this? Maybe a Guilford location, close to the airport? Kimball Castle perhaps. On the 20 plus acres surrounding the castle you could put high end cabins for visiting guests and business associates, that you want close but not too close. What would be the value $$ or this type of service? What would be the interest level?

06-23-2010, 03:03 PM	#5
Nitronut Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Barrington, NH Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I just checked it out. Not a bad deal when you think about it. I know my $50K boat costs me about 410/mth loan payment, $500+/yr maintenance, $300/yr winterizing, $600/yr insurance, not to mention the headache of storing it. What's that $6310 per year. Although in my case, moving the fishing gear in and out each time would be a huge ordeal. But if you live in multiple spots for different seasons, or travel waterfront frequently, I could see where this would be great. Ouch! It just dawned on me how much I'm spending before gas, oil, and fishing fees.

06-23-2010, 07:23 PM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	I seem to remeber Fay's have a sailboat club in the past?

06-23-2010, 11:54 PM	#9
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	...and can we have coffee shops in the LR more than Dunkin Donuts? I really don't like their coffee and I hate their pre-fab pastries. Gimme strong, almost rude, dark, Turkish coffee. Give it a tastee carb-loaded, home-made pastry for a side-kick... and I'm in love. Where's one of these type of places in the LR? (And for the love of all that's holy, please don't say 'Starbucks' in Tilton.)

08-26-2010, 04:19 PM	#14
Lucky1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moultonborough and FL Posts: 459 Thanks: 318 Thanked 123 Times in 53 Posts	I love Canoe but miss the great pizza that used to be there in part of the former restaurant. I miss Trues and I miss Fullers! I love Hannafords and am there two or three times each week and have never had the slightest problem getting in or out.

08-26-2010, 04:28 PM	#15
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Ooohhh! Panera! That's a brilliant idea! That intersection at 3/25 is under review by the NHDOT for consideration and planning of a traffic circle. I'm not sure what stage it's in now, but I think it's still being planned and designed. After completed, I suppose it would go to the town for approval?? (Maybe they did that first, IDK) That would certainly have an impact on the traffic at Crosspoint. Although, I don't expect it will make it any easier to get out!

08-29-2010, 03:13 PM	#17
Tomt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Revere Ma & Moultonborough Posts: 89 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I would love to see a store similar to J.Pace and sons in Saugus, Ma. I say it to my wife all the time. They have a great bakery, cold cuts, prepared foods, marinated meats, imported products. If I had any knowledge of running that type of business and the nerve to jump into the market in that area I would do it myself. As much as I enjoy alot of the food establishments in the Moultonborough area, a place like Pace's would blow them all out of the water when it comes to that type of store. http://jpaceandson.com/index.php

08-29-2010, 04:56 PM	#19
Tomt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Revere Ma & Moultonborough Posts: 89 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Yes, I will try Meredith I was in the one in Gilford a couple of years ago. What they do sell is very good, from the website it looks like they have more than I remember. I will certainly make it a point to go into meredith. Thank You

08-29-2010, 05:31 PM	#20
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	There's now Fiddleheads Market in Alton, right on Main St. They seem to feature various vendors - such as a The Meat Market, a seafood market, a cheese shop, and a bakery. Excellent wine and beer selection. Their produce is mostly local and very inexpensive. And it appears a wine shop will be opening on Main St. in Alton, just across the street from the Town Hall. I don't know details on the dates of the grand opening or anything but I have seen an old, unused building go from "blah" to "WOW!" in a restoration project to make the market look very nice.

10-31-2010, 12:22 PM	#22
NHBoat70 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Laconia Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Region needs youthful activities This area is awful for single people in their 20s and 30s. There is no place to go after 9pm between Columbus Day and Memorial Day besides the bars which get old really quick. Even during the summer there aren't many places around here that are geared toward the younger crowd and/or are fun. There should be a pool hall/bowling/darts/other games place geared toward youthful members, but add some class by requiring a dress code of some sort. I'm tired of going out and seeing all these bums or "ganstas" who always cause trouble. Have a lounge some place in town where you need to wear black shoes, a buttoned down shirt and charge $5 or $10 to get in. Its sad how everything is done through the Internet now and thanks to these stupid smart phones, there is little to no face-to-face social interaction with anyone. There are no places to meet people outside of the bar setting. If there is, please tell me!

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11-01-2010, 09:55 AM	#24
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Hey my thread made it to the elite status of over 10000 views....Yippeee....I am somebody now. I agree with the no place to go comment. Noticed that as soon as I moved up here. Does everyone up here own black shoes though? Jus' sayin'! I'd love to open a club like the Bahama Beach club of the 80's down in MA. I used to go there all the time until it burned down. I wouldn't think people would mind dressing up a bit and throwing down $10.00 every once in a while for some dancing and socializing. You are right. The bar scene gets a bit old after a while. You see the same old bar flys.....

11-01-2010, 10:12 AM	#25
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,916 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 305 Thanked 1,052 Times in 766 Posts	Friday nites, 6-8-pm, at the Meredith Community Center, for just one dollar you can get instruction in climbing their 24' high 'Mt Meredith' climbing wall which includes a wicked bad overhang! Who knows....maybe they could raise the price up to ten dollars and require 'Lakeside Semi-Formal Attire' for this weekly Friday night event and serve up an adult beverage or two or three. (See other thread down in winter sports because it will not be held on Nov 12 or Nov 26.) __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 11-06-2010 at 05:40 PM.

11-01-2010, 01:10 PM	#26
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Oh I would love to see that on video. Bunch of inebriated people trying to do a climbing wall.....That would be a barrel of laughs.... "Come on Fred...Hic....I'll...Hic...race ya to the top...hic....."

03-04-2011, 11:31 AM	#28
Airedale1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laconia Posts: 595 Thanks: 557 Thanked 1,569 Times in 274 Posts	This week I took a trip to The Butterfly Place in Westford, MA. Here is a link to their site: https://butterflyplace-ma.com/ They open around Valentines Day (2/14) and stay open until October 31st. They are open 7 days a week. For those of you that have never been to this type of business. They are a large indoor greenhouse garden with hundreds of butterflies flying all around you. Also they have a pair of Gouldian Finches flying freely inside and a lovely Koi pond. There are benches inside that you can sit down on and just enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Also, it is 80 degrees inside there. It is a wonderful escape from Winter. It is about 70 miles from Laconia. If we had one here in the Lakes Region I would be there at least once a week in the Winter. Below are a few images that I took there. I think this type of business would be a wonderful and welcome addition to the Lakes Region. __________________ "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson (1865-1943)

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03-04-2011, 12:28 PM	#29
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Just stunning photos. That's no phone camera. __________________ SIKSUKR

08-27-2010, 07:06 AM	#32
pit martin Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I go to the ICSC (shopping center deal making) in NY and most recently in Boston. The owners of this development had a booth at both, actively seeking to locate a tenant . They obviously are looking for a National Tenant to fill the entire vacant space.

08-27-2010, 10:30 AM	#33
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 66 Thanked 260 Times in 178 Posts	Laconia needs an Urgency Care Clinic! I needed a simple, outpatient procedure performed, and since I am from out of the area I had no regular physician. Out West, we have many walk-in Urgency Care Clinics to choose from, and yes, they take insurance. Not Laconia. Heck, I walked into an ENT's office and they refused to see me unless I had a referral from another doctor! So, off the the Emergency Room, which was drastic overkill for the medical issue at hand. BTW, the ER at the hospital was not impressive: the people were good, but the physical plant leaves much to be desired. Why no Urgency Care Clinics / walk-in clinics in Laconia? This omission seems curiously inexcusable.

08-30-2010, 07:32 AM	#35
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,829 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	There should be one in Wolfeboro too. I think it would do a tremendous business. However, can you imagine all the rules and regulations?????

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AmericanBoatClub (08-25-2010)

08-25-2010, 07:44 PM	#38
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,916 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 305 Thanked 1,052 Times in 766 Posts	Anyone else notice how the large commercial retail space in Meredith between the Rite Aid and the sporting goods store has never been occupied. The construction of the building was finished in November 2008 and it is still waiting for its' first commercial tenant to pay rent, occupy the space, build a store, and open for business. So, what's taking so long? Cross Point, the owner of the strip mall that includes the Meredith Hannaford's is most likely asking themselves the same question.....like what the heck is happening....and after about 21 months being 'for rent' and unoccupied....what is the problemo with this very large vacant store? What would be a viable business in there that could succeed for years & years.....good grief....tough one to answer? So far, after about 21 months of vacant commercial store space, the apparent answer is NO BUSINESS is a go in there. Way to go Cross Point! They have created an unused and unrentable retail space in the very same location that was home to some popular and successfull stores from 1971 to 2007.....36 years of long term, locally owned retail comes to a halt when the big money, Cross Point, spends big to buy the property, and lo & behold, Crosspoint so far for 21 months has created a very large, unrentable storefront. Nice job! __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

08-25-2010, 10:27 PM	#39
mishelmeis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: rattlesnake island Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would like a pizza place that delivers to the islands. Or any kind of meal delivery out here... __________________ MiShel

08-26-2010, 08:35 AM	#42
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,924 Thanks: 350 Thanked 1,693 Times in 595 Posts	To answer your question,FLL.....People are very wary of starting a new business or expanding and existing one because no one knows what the future holds with taxes.Obama care looms,He also wants to let the Bush tax cuts end which will result in a huge increase.Trillions in deficits....huge slump in home sales,retail sales are stagnant....sorry to paint a bleak picture but people in business are not looking to expand,we are circling the wagons for tough times ahead.

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CGI3 (09-11-2010), ishoot308 (08-26-2010), Pontoon Goon (08-26-2010), Ropetow (08-29-2010)

08-26-2010, 08:53 AM	#43
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,916 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 305 Thanked 1,052 Times in 766 Posts	Cross Point is a Massachusetts company, managing Massachusetts shopping malls, so most likely they figured what worked for them in setting commercial rent in Mass could be used in New Hampshire. As you say Samian, the macro-U.S.-economy is struggling to recover, and the micro-local economy is seasonal Meredith. So's, the answer is pretty obvious, we all need to go get a job working for the public sector, which includes the schools, local, county, state, and federal governments and everyone will go home happy at the end of each day's work. Anyway, after 21-months of vacancy, maybe Cross Point cannot consider lowering the rent because the cash flow would not be enough to cover their mortgage......or something like that? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

08-26-2010, 09:20 AM	#44
Dr. Green Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Cross Point has a certain clientele in mind, and is not very flexible. Twice I have tried to rent a space in the plaza (a smaller space) and both times, after a tour and interview and promise to get back to me, they never did. The rent was pretty high (which may be another reason why they are not attracting tenants) but given that I was willing to pay it, it was a surprise they did not get back to me (or return my phone calls).

08-26-2010, 10:55 AM	#45
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,916 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 305 Thanked 1,052 Times in 766 Posts	www.nh.gov/liquor/stores.shtml or www.dollartree.com come to mind as two possible tenants who could probably make the large empty storefront, next to the Rite Aid, work? The space is so large, it might be big enough for both stores at the same time. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

08-26-2010, 01:53 PM	#46
winniplayhouse Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 205 Thanks: 32 Thanked 58 Times in 41 Posts	Though it would be nice to see a small, local business go in there, I can't imagine who would be able to take that risk. If it's going to be some kind of chain, I could see a Panera doing well there.

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Lucky1 (08-26-2010)