Best of NH 2026 Shops & Services
In need of some retail therapy? Looking for someone to board your pet while you're away? Find unique gift shops, clothiers, products and more!
Editor’s Picks
Local Grocery and Café
The increasing popularity of urban living has attracted businesses ready to create a welcoming hub for all those apartment and condo dwellers. Portsmouth’s dwntwn grocer, which stocks fresh produce, organic staples and locally sourced products, also doubles as a coffee shop. dwntwngrocer.com
Foam Parties
Imagine if Mr. Bubbles escaped from the bathtub and took over a backyard birthday party. Granite State Foam Frenzyin Keene offers rental party packages that feature foam cannons and inflatables like bouncy houses. Fly down a water slide and splash around in a giant pile of soapy fluff. granitestatefoamfrenzy.com
Female-focused Coworking Space
The women who founded Parlor Coworking want to elevate the shared office experience by making it warmer and more inviting. The 2,500-square-foot space in Portsmouth’s West End offers pleasing light and a library/reading room for quiet time. Kick your shoes off at the door — they are a no-shoes space — and get to work. parlorcoworking.com
Funky Pottery
Through Off the Menu Pots, Leigh Cronin and Clara Hodges of Portsmouth make unique handmade pottery they sell at regional events like pop-up and block parties and through their shop on Etsy. Their collaborations with local businesses include a collection of mugs and tumblers they created for cold brew coffee maker NOBL Beverages. facebook.com/offmenupots/
Homegrown Fits
Shop for made-in-American women’s clothing from a small town better known for farms than factories. Founded in Lee in 2009, Emerson Fry specializes in small-batch fashion that focuses on sustainable materials, including organic cotton. Their long-lasting clothing promises to be vintage someday. emersonfry.com
Interactive Party Favors
Looking for something special to add to the experience at your next gathering? With The Favors Bar, you can choose from a variety of party favor bars where you can guess can choose a unique gift to bring home. Choices from the Manchester company include succulents, event-themed coffee K-Cups and wildflower seeds. thefavorsbar.com
Mobile Bar and Balloons
What’s a luxury bar without balloons? Derry’s The Traveling Cocktail pairs mobile bar tending with balloon styling for weddings, private parties and special events. Got a guest who ignored the “no kids” notice on the wedding invitation? At least you’ll have some balloons to keep them amused. thetravelingcoctailnh.com
Unusual Finds
With inventory that changes almost daily, Déjà vu Furniture & More in Londonderry says it’s the place other used furniture dealers come to hunt for treasure. Be prepared to wander for a while. Like that funky vintage chest? Better buy today before someone else snags it. dejavufurniture.com
Artisan Marketplace
More than 50 local artisans sell their wares through The Apiary in Claremont. Find locally sourced honey, homemade baked goods, jams and jellies, handcrafted earrings and more. You can even get your Wicked Pissah Supa Tea here. facebook.com/TheApiary603/
Photo Booth Experience
The photo booth your grandparents cuddled in when they were teenagers seems like a thousand years old compared to the high-tech fun Magic Mirror of New England brings to weddings, parties and corporate events. The Manchester company’s signature booth pairs a full-length mirror with LED accents. A video booth offers 360 degrees of immersive video. magicmirrorofne.com
Creative Craftshop
This store in Concord, which opened in December, aims to fill in the gap left by the closure of Joann Fabrics, the fabric and craft store chain that shuttered all its stores nationwide last May. Concord Clothworks offers fabrics, supplies and a space for makers. concordclothworks.com
Mountain Bike Builds
Ride the Whites, which was originally housed in White Mountain Ski Co.’s retail shop in Jackson, now has its own dedicated retail store in North Conway, where it sells bikes, parts and accessories. Its service shop offers custom bike builds. whitemountainski.co
Inclusive Tattoo Shop
Stray Dogs Tattoo bills itself as all-inclusive and welcoming. The Keene studio is home to various artists that specialize in different styles. By appointment only. instagram.com/straydogs.tattoo/
Outdoor Apparel
At sites in Lincoln and Gorham, Burgeon Outdoor manufactures high-end sports apparel designed for hikers, skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The company commits 5% of every sale to community and environmental efforts as part of its mission to support the mountain region. burgeonoutdoor.com
Readers’ Poll
Pets
Best Animal Hospital or Veterinary Clinic
ARK Animal Homecare, PLLC
Chester
www.arkanimalhomecare.com
Best Pet Boarding
Take Five Dogcare
Lee
takefivedogcare.com
Best Pet Groomer
Take Five Dogcare
Lee
takefivedogcare.com
Best Pet Supplies Store
Four Your Paws Only
Conway
www.fouryourpawsonly.com
Best Pet Training
American K-9 Country
Amherst
www.americank9country.com
Best Antique or Vintage Shop
Antiques on Elm
Manchester
www.antiquesonelmmanchester.com
Best Assisted Living Community
RiverWoods
Manchester, Exeter and Durham
www.riverwoodsnh.org
Best Automotive Group
Grappone Automotive Group
Bow
www.grappone.com
Best Barbershop
Homegrown Barber Co.
Littleton
homegrownbarberco.com
Best Bicycle Shop
Littleton Bike and Fitness
Littleton
www.littletonbike.com
Best Caterer
603 Bar-B-Q
Concord
www.bbqnh.com
Best Cigar Shop
Castro’s Back Room
Derry
www.castros.com
Best Comic Book Store
Double Midnight Comics
Manchester and Concord
www.dmcomics.com
Best Day Spa
JSJ Aesthetics
Salem
www.jsjaesthetics.com
Best Event Venue (Large – More than 500 attendees)
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Bretton Woods
www.omnihotels.com
Best Event Venue (Small – less than 500 attendees)
Castle In The Clouds
Moultonborough
www.castleintheclouds.org
Best Financial Planner
Bank of New Hampshire
Bedford
bnh.bank
Best Florist
Cobblestone Design Company
Concord
www.cobblestoneflorist.com
Best Formal Dress Shop
Madeleine’s Daughter Bridal
Portsmouth
www.madeleinesdaughter.com
Best Garden Center
Wentworth Greenhouses
Rollinsford
www.wentworthgreenhouses.com
Best Gift Shop or Retail Boutique
Zeb’s General Store
North Conway
www.zebs.com
Best Hair Salon
JSJ Aesthetics
Salem
www.jsjaesthetics.com
Best Hair Salon (Special Occasion)
JSJ Aesthetics
Salem
www.jsjaesthetics.com
Best Home Décor Shop
Up North NH
Pittsburg
upnorthpittsburg.com
Best Hospital
Elliot Hospital
Manchester
www.elliothospital.org
Best Independent Bookstore
Gibson’s Bookstore
Concord
www.gibsonsbookstore.com
Best Independently Owned Fitness Center
Collective Studios
Londonderry
www.thecollective-studios.com
Best Invitations
Ashley Elizabeth Designs
Epsom
www.ae-invitations.com
Best Jeweler
Bellman Jewelers, Inc.
Manchester
www.bellmans.com
Best Jeweler for Engagement Ring
Bellman Jewelers, Inc.
Manchester
www.bellmans.com
Best Kid’s Clothing Shop
M&C Clothing and Gifts
Amherst
mcclothingandgifts.com
Best Medical Spa
JSJ Aesthetics
Salem
www.jsjaesthetics.com
Best Men’s Clothing Shop
George’s Apparel
Manchester
www.georgesapparel.com
Best Nail Salon
Velvet Nail Lounge
Exeter
www.velvet-nail-lounge.com
Best Personal Banking
Bank of New Hampshire
www.bnh.bank
Best Residential Real Estate Company
Reality ONE Group Next Level
Bedford
www.realtyonegroup
Best Resort/Hotel Spa
Wentworth By The Sea
New Castle
www.opalcollection.com
Best Retirement Community
RiverWoods
Manchester
riverwoodsnh.com
Best Secondhand or Consignment Clothing Shop
M&C Clothing and Gifts
Amherst
mcclothingandgifts.com
Best Ski Shop
Lahout’s
Lincoln and Littleton
www.lahouts.com
Best Tattoo Parlor
5 Monkeys Tattoo
Newmarket
www.5monkeystattoo.com
Best Toy Store
Little Village Toy & Book Shop
Littleton
www.littlevillagetoy.com
Best Wedding or Special Event Florist
Apotheca Flowers
Goffstown
apothecaflowershoppe.com
Best Wedding or Special Occasion Cakes
Wildflour Café
Lisbon
wildflourcafenh.com
Best Women’s Clothing Shop
Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.
Concord
www.gondwanaclothing.com
Best Yoga Studio
Humble Warrior Power Yoga
Manchester, Exeter and Bedford
www.humblewarriorpoweryoga.com
