News/Business
Lounging at the Pit Road Lounge in Concord is a thing of the past
By RAY DUCKLER
If you’re looking for a sappy farewell from Bill Pliakos – who’s selling the Pit Road Lounge after owning it for 23 years – look elsewhere.Pliakos, born in Greece, is not that kind of guy. His staff is, though. They love the guy, they’re loyal to the...
New Ipswich tea party business ordered to cease and desist
By ASHLEY SAARI
Silver Scone Teas in New Ipswich was ordered to cease business at the end of June, after it was found the business had not applied for the proper town approvals before starting operations.Owner Jane Elwell has begun the filing process to gain the...
New owners at White Mountain Gourmet Coffee
Monitor staff
The owners are new and so is the name but nothing else has changed at the popular White Mountain Gourmet Coffee on Pleasant Street, which is now The Bean & Bakery — at least, not yet.“In the future, we’re looking to add lunch,” said Tracy Taylor, who...
Shortage of help, prices close WOW Fried Chicken in Concord
By DAVID BROOKS
Shortage of help and price increases in supplies have closed WOW Fried Chicken on Pleasant Street, frustrating fans of an all-American meal with Middle Eastern flair, but Maher Abbas isn’t leaving Concord.Abbas, an Iraqi refugee who came to New...
Ebbing nationally, boat market remains at high water mark on Winnipesaukee
By CATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN
LACONIA — At the height of the pandemic, refunded vacations, stimulus checks and the yearning for safe activities outside drove boat sales to a decade high. Yet, as gas prices more than double their May 2020 average, supply chain interruptions drive...
Former Element Hotel in Lebanon sold, with plan to shift to short-term apartments
By JOHN LIPPMAN
LEBANON — After sitting unoccupied for more than two years after an explosion damaged the building, the former Element Hotel on Route 120 will soon be perking back to life.A Massachusetts private equity company that specializes in residential housing...
Walden Mutual gets first NH charter for a mutual bank in a century
By DAVID BROOKS
The first mutual bank to get a state charter in a century has started making loans as it gets one step closer to fully opening, although financial turmoil may complicate matters.“Market conditions have obviously changed quite a bit in the last six...
Concord land deal could lead to 600 new housing units along Merrimack River
By CASSIDY JENSEN
Early plans to develop a 95-acre parcel of land along the Merrimack River would include more than 600 units of housing in a mixed-use project along Interstate-93 and the railroad, north of the Concord Monitor building.The potential project near Exit...
Concord Photo Services will shut as owner retires after 52 years on N. Main Street
By DAVID BROOKS
Having survived the almost-death of film, the switch from cameras to smartphones and the turmoil of the pandemic, Concord Photo Service on North Main Street, a business still known as Concord Camera to many people, is surrendering to Father Time.“It’s...
N.H. basket company to close because the ash trees that it depends on are all dying
By DAVID BROOKS
The continent-wide destruction of ash trees caused by an invasive insect has taken an economic toll in New Hampshire: The Peterboro Basket Co. is shutting down after making its specialty baskets for 168 years, partly because it can’t get enough of the...
Tenney Ski Area sold and will reopen as area development plans get a new look
By DAVID BROOKS
Tenney Mountain Ski Area should be up and running again next winter as a new owner takes a fresh look at long-simmering development plans around it.“We have a ways to go on master planning … over the next year,” said Steven Kelly, CEO of...
As Tesla looms, N.H. auto dealerships brace for an electric future
By DAVID BROOKS
The news that Tesla is coming to New Hampshire – probably, at least – is the latest indication that life is changing for New Hampshire’s auto dealerships as electric vehicles take center stage. But it’s not the only one.“Prepping for EVs (electric...
Former Steeplegate businesses open elsewhere in Concord
By CASSIDY JENSEN
Two months after the owners of Steeplegate Mall told five tenants to leave their spaces at the faltering mall, four of the businesses have opened new locations elsewhere in Concord.Two of the former Steeplegate stores have stayed in the same area...
Looking for a new gym? Anthony and Valerie Oliveira just dropped anchor in Concord
By BRACKETT LYONS
For Anthony Oliveira, life has come full circle.A world record holder for the squat began his fitness instruction journey in 2014 when he was interning at Brian’s One 2 One Fitness in Concord. After working at the gym for a year, Anthony moved to Ohio...
Cannon Mountain Tram gets vote of confidence from its fans
By BRACKETT LYONS
Cannon Mountain’s iconic yet aging tramway received a vote of confidence from its fans.Given the options of renovating the current tram, getting a new one, or switching to a gondola, 62 of 63 attendees at a state Division of Parks and Recreation...
Bath & Body Works closing leaves mall with fewer than 10 of its original stores
By DAVID BROOKS
The Bath & Body Works store at Steeplegate Mall will close Saturday, leaving the mall with fewer than 10 occupied storefronts of the 60 it was built to hold.The closing comes as Bath & Body Works has shut a few of its roughly 1,700 stores in Canada...
Gilford cracks down on problem vacation renters
By ROBERTA BAKER
GILFORD — Loud talking and raucous laughter until 2 a.m. Fifteen to 20 cars parked in front of one home. Beer cans and liquor bottles tossed in neighbors’ yards. Garbage piled outside, scattered by animals overnight. A spike in community water usage...
Contoocook Covered Bridge Restaurant closing as owner retires
By DAVID BROOKS
After 20 years, Contoocook Covered Bridge Restaurant is closing as its owner retires, but the site should be reborn this summer as a new restaurant.The decision to close the restaurant overlooking the Contoocook Railroad covered bridge stems from...
Otten outlines new plan to rebuild Balsams resort
By BARBARA TERTREAULT
Balsams developer Les Otten Wednesday unveiled plans to have a national nonprofit organization build the planned new hotel and conference center at the resort. After seven years of effort, Otten said the collaboration will allow the redevelopment of...
The new owners following the True Brew Barista era have a tough act to follow
By RAY DUCKLER
It’s hard following a legend.Quarterback Mac Jones has played well this season, helping the Patriots and their fans forget about Tom Brady. Or at least Jones is creating optimism, enough to dull the pain of losing the player who guided the franchise...
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
