The holiday season is already knock, knock, knocking on our doors. For many, this signals a time to hop online and scour the internet for free shipping, deep discounts, and BOGO’s. For others, it’s time to gas up the minivan and point it toward the mall, or the nearest big box chain. This year, how about keeping it local instead?
This whole “shop local” business is not new. Lots of people already know if you hand over $100 in a locally owned independent shop, $68 returns to your community (via taxes/payroll/other expenditures). Just $43 returns for $100 spent at a national chain, and $0 comes back to your community for online purchases.
Though the statistics are powerful, many think shopping local is for the wealthy, or those earthy crunchy hippies. We fall into neither category, but manage to shop a fair amount in downtown Concord. Following are our insider tips to a fabulous Downtown Concord family shopping excursion that won’t break the bank, and will offer something for everyone:
1. Free Parking: If you can’t easily walk to downtown, there are plenty of perfectly legal free spots to leave your vehicle. This eliminates anxiety about expired meters, eliminates curtailing a good time, eliminates that sinking feeling when you spy a spot of yellow on your windshield. State Street offers free parking once you get a bit south of Pleasant Street, or north of Centre Street. Many side streets are also ripe with free parking. Additionally, park anywhere on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays with no fear of tickets.
2. Romping: With monkeys of the smaller variety, it’s helpful to intersperse store/restaurant visits with romping opportunities. Some of our favorites include:
- State House Lawn: kids can climb under the faux Liberty Bell and give it a ring, or scramble up the fabulous climbing tree (keeping to the strongest branches), or simply run about like banshees while parents pause on a granite bench.
State House Lawn Climbing Tree - often home to downtown monkeys (faux Liberty Bell visible in background)
- St. Paul’s Church Garden: Located directly across Park Street from the State House, this pretty little garden area is open to the public, and an ideal spot to stop for a quiet snack, or flower appreciation in season. Benches, shade, and peace.
- Eagle Square: Home to the Concord Arts Market in the summer and fall, Eagle Square offers up great big rocks on which children can have adventures and mothers can have heart palpitations. There is also a wide expanse of stairs kids can clamber up, down, and over.
- Bicentennial Square: Though we occasionally get nasty looks, don’t believe there’s a restriction on children riding the stone tortoise statue. Bicentennial is a bit less relaxing for parents, as vehicles occasionally pass through the Square. However, it’s still worth a stop to see a neat stone mini tunnel, the famous tortoise (our kiddos call this “Turtle Square”, though a good friend always points out the beast is technically a tortoise), and even a stone checkerboard (BYO pieces).
3. Feeding (North to South): Pretty much across from the State House, Madeleines has the most fabulous authentic gingerbread person cookies during the holidays, and delectable, sinful pastries all year round. If you’re looking for an actual meal, the Barley House is (surprisingly?) kid friendly, and has options for vegetarians and those avoiding gluten. Just down the hill, Cheers is also popular with our clan - they have great fruit cups and veggie options, in addition to addictive spicy fries.
When you’re in the market for a hearty snack, get ye to Bagel Works (now rebranded Works Bakery Cafe, but everyone still calls it Bagel Works). Whatever you call it, the yummy smelling place is ideal for bagels (obviously), yogurt, great soups, sandwiches, and the 1 million calorie cinnamon buns (which can be heated for your nibbling pleasure). When leaving Bagel Works, head straight across Main to Warren St., where you will encounter the divine, historic Granite State Candy. Loosen your belt.
Back on Main St. and continuing south, Bread & Chocolate is a must-stop for one husband I know quite well. Grown-ups can get their coffee fix, while kids delight in the pastry swans and other magical confections. Finally, when you’re ready to head home and perhaps need to counter a day of sugary treats, stop at the Concord Cooperative Market. The Co-op is open to all, and bursting with perfect-for-the-ride-home snacks like organic cheese sticks, yogurt squeezies, prepackaged bulk nuts/pretzels/dried fruit, and a bounty of fresh produce.
4. Shopping: Downtown Concord is truly rich with stores that will delight and entice family members of all ages. Though everyone is welcome to enjoy any and all shops, here’s a little stereotyping:
Kid Friendly:
- French’s Toy Shop is a downtown Concord institution, located diagonally across State Street from the Concord YMCA. Terrific option for Playmobil, art supplies, horse stuff, and trucks. Savings opportunities: kids spending their own money get 10% off purchases, and in the back left of the first room you enter there’s a small clearance area where items are often marked 50% off.
- Imagination Village is a wonderful place to pick up learning toys disguised as pure F-U-N. For those of us who spent hours playing teacher as children, there are all sorts of authentic teacher materials to delight us. Also tons of games, Playmobil, stuff for the littles, and fab gift ideas. Savings opportunity: sign up at the store to receive a valuable birthday coupon.
Adult Female Friendly:
- Lotions ‘n Potions is a pure delight to the senses. If you can, dispatch kiddos and mate to do something fun while you sneak in a massage, facial, or pedicure at LnP. When time is tight, pop in for pamper treats for your skin, awesome jammies, a popular Baggallini, or some kick arse nail polish. Savings opportunities: treat yourself to a series of (6) dermabrasion sessions and save $120 off individual service prices; save $40 by opting for a series of resurfacing peels.
- If you are prone to lusting after Le Creuset, Things Are Cooking is the place to be. Knives from Henckels, toys from Cuisinart, pots from All-Clad, oh my. Savings opportunity: you were going to donate to the Capitol Region Food Program’s Holiday Food Basket project anyway, so stop by Things Are Cooking on November 13th for their Knife Sharpening Fundraiser.
Adult Male Friendly:
- Most males can be pried from a Barley House stool by promise of shops like GES Solar Store. Products run the gamut from conservation to energy efficiency to renewable energy options. Fantasize about going off grid? This is your place. Savings opportunities: Rinnai direct vent wall furnaces are already on sale, but save another $50 by mentioning you saw them on the web. Also, in store NH Saves coupons will reduce your checkout cost for CFL’s and smart strips.
- The opening-this-Friday Just Be Boutique in Cool Moose’s old digs allows folks of all ages to be near about anything. Particularly dad friendly are the masculine t-shirt designs for Be A…Camper, Beach Bum, Hiker, Cyclist, Kayaker, Ski Bum, and more. (Even if he’s not really these things, he might like to pretend.) Savings opportunities: Sign up for Just Be’s e-newsletter and get a 10% off coupon, and if you’re in the market for new computer wallpaper, download lots of free options on their website.
All Ages Friendly: Gibson’s Bookstore, where grown-ups and littles alike will find good captivating reads. Bonus: stroll up the ramp and directly into Bread & Chocolate. Savings opportunities: grab a frequent buyer card at Gibson’s, and receive 20% off after spending $100, or save 10-20% if you’re ordering for a book club or a classroom.
5. Bathrooming: Vitally important for small monkeys and adults who’ve consumed copious amounts of coffee. All of the food locales previously mentioned have lovely facilities. If you’re in a pinch, French’s Toy Shop has a small but serviceable bathroom they happily make available for wee ones. The Co-op has large spacious facilities located immediately to the left of the parking lot entryway (if you have noise-averse children, skip the turbo hand dryers).
We are grateful to live and shop and play in Downtown Concord. Gather your kids and come on down this holiday season: grab a bite, run around, purchase gifts, and enjoy the history, culture, and fun ripe for the picking.
