Best of NH 2013 Shops, Services and Beauty

Use this list to plan the best day of shopping ever from clothing and beauty products to pet supplies and custom skis.

June 14, 2013

Site Staff,

Barmakian Jewelers was once again the Readers' Poll winner for regional jewelery chain.

*Editor's Pick
Readers' Poll

Automotive Group
AutoFair Automotive Group
Manchester
autofair.com

Barbershop
The Clip Joint
Portsmouth
theclipjointbarbers.com

Beer Store
Barb’s Beer Emporium
Concord
barbsbeeremporium.com

Bicycle Shop
S&W Sports
Concord
swsports.net

Bicycle Shop (Local Chain)
Goodale’s Bike Shop
Nashua, Hooksett and Concord
goodalesbikeshop.com

*Books and Brews: Portsmouth Book and Bar, as the name suggests, offers book lovers a chance to find their next favorite novel while sipping on coffee in the morning hours or a microbrew in the evening. A menu of small plates and wines are also offered.

*Custom Skis: Want a ski that’s just for you? Rocket Skis in Jackson is a custom ski maker in the Mount Washington Valley — the only one, in fact — that produces skis with technical superiority and amazing (you choose) graphic designs. Plus, they’re affordable.

Eyewear Boutique
The Eyeglass Shop, P.L.L.C.
Portsmouth
egsportsmouth.com

The League of NH Craftsmen Stores, which offer fine work from many local artists, are your favorite local chain gift stores.

Piece by Linda Sten.

Florist
Chalifour’s Flowers, Gift & Gourmet
Manchester
chalifours.com

Garden Center
Churchill’s Gardens
Exeter
churchillsgardens.com

Gift Shop
Maine-ly New Hampshire
Portsmouth
maine-lynewhampshire.com

Gift Shop (Local Chain)
The League of NH Craftsmen Stores
Multiple Locations
nhcrafts.org

Hair Salon
The Wingate Salon and Spa
Stratham
wingatespa.com

*High-End Outlets: It was a long process, but the Merrimack Premium Outlets are open at last. Those who crave a taste of fashion at a more affordable price will be delighted with stores such as Coach, Saks Fifth Avenue, Elie Tahari, Michael Kors, Bloomingdale’s and more.

Home Décor Shop
Abode Home Furnishings
Portsmouth
abodehomefurnishings.com

Jeweler
Bellman’s Jewelers
Manchester
bellmans.com

Jeweler (Regional Chain)
Barmakian Jewelers
Nashua; Framingham, Mass., and Boston, Mass.
barmakian.com

Jeweler (National Chain)
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
Multiple Locations
jared.com

OutFITters Thrift Store in Manchester and Concord (pictured) tied with Mother and Child Clothing and Gifts in Nashua for second hand clothing store.

Kid’s Clothing Store
Puddlejumpers
Exeter
puddlejumpersnh.com

Lingerie
Zoë & Co.
Concord
zoeandcompany.com

Lingerie (Local Chain)
Top Drawer
Bedford, Exeter and W. Lebanon
topdrawerboutique.com

Local Jeweler With Store
Mark Knipe Goldsmiths
Concord
knipegold.com

Local Toy Store
G. Willikers!
Toy Shop
Portsmouth
gwillikers.com

*Low-Tech CorrespondenceIn the age of ubiquitous technology, Gus and Ruby Letterpress in Portsmouth stays old school. Very old school. Co-owner Whitney Swaffield creates hand-printed paper marvels on her late 1800s-era press and the store is stocked with actual paper products from clever cards to high-quality stationery.

Common Sense products from Simon the Tanner in Lancaster.

Men’s Clothing Shop
George’s Apparel
Manchester
georgesapparel.com

Men’s Clothing Store (National Chain)
Macy’s
Multiple Locations
macys.com

Natural Food Store
A-Market Natural Foods
Manchester
myamarket.com

*Natural LotionsThe kind and loving folks who are part of the religious group, the Twelve Tribes, offer their Common Sense brand of natural lotions for face and body at their Lancaster shop, Simon the Tanner. The Camomile Primrose face cream provides the protective care of St. John's wort and contains no synthetic fragrances or preservatives. The Shea Butter Creamy Vanilla Lotion makes your skin feel and smell like sweet-bun dough. Slather on.

Pet Boarding
All Dogs Gym & Inn
Manchester
alldogsgym.com

Pet Boarding (Local Chain)
The Barking Dog
Derry, Exeter and Hooksett
thebarkingdog.com

Cupcake shaped soap from Beveridge Soap.

Photo by Susan Laughlin.

Pet Supplies Store
Four Your Paws Only
North Conway
fouryourpawsonly.com

Pet Supplies Store
PetSmart
Multiple Locations
petsmart.com

Reason to Take a Bath: Beer. Yes, the secret ingredient in Beveridge Soap is an ancient elixir. Find it in bars or shaped like a cupcake. But it’s more than comic relief. Besides craft beer, ingredients include olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil for a soothing and fragrant ablution.

Second Hand Clothing – TIE
Mother and Child Clothing and Gifts
Nashua
mothersays.shoprw.com

OutFITters Thrift Store
Concord and Manchester
outfittersnh.org

Shoe Store
Alec’s Shoes
Nashua
alecs-shoes.com

Shoe Store (National Chain)
DSW Shoes
Multiple Locations
dsw.com

Skincare/Specialty Makeup Boutique
Lotions ’n Potions
Concord
lotionsnpotionsnh.com

Specialty Food Store
Angela’s Pasta & Cheese Shop
Manchester
angelaspastaandcheese.com