The Goffstown Edge

Goffstown Economic Development Council Fall 2011 Newsletter

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New Business in Goffstown & Pinardville

  No matter how dark times might appear, it’s always important to remember there are people working behind the scenes who know what they are doing and how important it is to remain positive.  This is especially evident as the community reeled from the closing of yet another small business on Goffstown’s Main Street.  But never fear, because the Goffstown Main Street Program and the Economic Development Council have been tireless in their efforts to promote the community and are delighted to announce several new businesses coming to town.

Robbie Grady from GMS is “Pleased to announce that we have four confirmed new businesses” opening on Main Street this fall.  Pettiglio's Pizza is going in to the building at 20 Main Street adjacent to Richard Thomas, CPA and next door to Town Hall.  “The owner is very excited about being in the Downtown, and looking forward to opening soon.” says Robbie.  “Scott's Tools and Equipment is going in across the street from Town Hall at the building we all refer to as Lovedy's, 19 Main Street.  The two owners are also excited about being here, and are working hard to get the space ready for business.”

Robbie also had exciting news about the Traver’s building.  “Sawyer's Main Street Breakfast and Function Hall is opening at 13 Main Street.  The new owners are John and Patty Putnam. of Putnam's Waterview Restaurant, and they are naming the business after their grandson!  They will be keeping their current restaurant open, and now will have the function hall they’ve always wanted, plus the ability to serve breakfast all morning long.  Expect a mid-October opening.  They are working with the building owners, the Choquette family, on renovations and upgrades. The Main Street Design Team has discussed their plans for the building, and is excited about the physical transformation taking place.”

The fourth new business will be Silverlight Gallery at 28 Main Street adjacent to Luna Salon.  David MacEachran and Alicia Bergeron of Silverhills Studio are anxious to get started on this gallery which will feature the works of local artists and artisans.  “Our plans are to open on October 15th with an exhibit of Previously Scene – Slightly Used Collection of Art that the owner has collected over the years.  It will include photos by Ansel Adams, sculpture my Henry Moore and pottery by Gerry Williams,” says MacEachran.

Goffstown village also welcomes the Royal Cafe at 28 Main Street, in the building with Luna Salon at the corner of Main and Depot Streets, and Village Reflections Salon at 10 Elm Street.

Derek Horne, a member of the Goffstown Economic Development Council, also had good news.  “There are some new businesses opening in Pinardville as well.   Marco's Mexican Taqueria opened in July in the Center Pinard Plaza, 679 Mast Road. Center Pinard Plaza will also have two other businesses opening soon. The Bagg Lunch will take the spot previously occupied by Organick's and the Corey Marggraf Wellness Massage Center will open in October.  Finally, permits are being reviewed for a Planet Fitness in the Shaw's Plaza as well; space previously occupied by Movie Gallery.”

A New Series from the Goffstown Economic Council

I met the owners on a nice sunny day recently and sat with them at one of there picnic tables out front.  They explained they have been in business selling their product for 20 years now, starting humbly under a tent in front of the old Antioch Shoe store in the village.  Soon they were operating in a few satellite locations including in front of Jutras sign in Pinardville and a location in Bedford too.   Business grew year-by-year and in 1995 they bought a property close to that “tent site” where they could set up permanently. 

They began building structures, and now have twelve. They bought the property next door and grew again from an original eight acres to thirteen.  On the new site they planted 600 Christmas Trees.  They love planting! 

By now you’ve probably guessed where I am, Devriendt Farm.  My hosts Lea and Dan, have raised there family here in Goffstown, just as their parents had.  Their three children, are young adults now, and work is a family affair.  In fact as Lea tells it “they have been picking cukes since they were old enough to not step on the plants, about 6 or 7 years old.  We owe a lot of our success to them”.  They grow at other sites in and around town too, to insure that they are well-stocked with fresh veggies all summer long.   Don’t forget the ice cream.  They’ve been scooping cones and cups of your favorite since 2002.  You can be sure it doesn’t hurt any that the Rail Trail is across the street. 

The season starts early, and work begins in earnest when they fire-up the boilers at the end of January.  By the first week of February, planting begins.  In fact, so much planting goes on, that 3 of those greenhouses get used for a second planting each year.  By late summer, they’ll be ready with 8,000 mums for their customers, new and old.  If that isn’t enough, there are also the pumpkins!  If you’re around on Halloween, stop by to see the 250 jack-o-lanterns they display that night and help them polish-off the last of the ice cream of the season. 

The Goffstown Economic Development Council selects local business to highlight about once each month and encourages you to visit some of what makes our town a community.  Please visit us. We welcome reproduction of these highlights by print and web based media.