March Street Smarts: A quickie guide to a few notable shops on South Main Street in Concord

With a brand new ginormous parking deck/office space and the très-cool Red River Theatre, South Main is the new place to be. Here are some of its fortunate denizens.

1. It’s a museum and craft center for kids with a pirate ship, a musical treehouse and even a tiny interactive version of some downtown shops. But Kaleidoscope Children’s Museum at 8 S. Main is also a cool source for toys that facilitate learning and imagination — or both. This make-your-own monster puppet is popular, as is the wooden sushi play set. (603) 229-4526, www.kaleidoscopechildrensmuseum.net

2. Fresh organic produce, often from local growers, frozen vegan dinners, beans and grains sold in bulk: sounds like a typical health food store, but Concord Cooperative Market on 24 S. Main St. is bright, clean and bustling with new ideas, like their Grab ‘n’ Go all-natural sandwiches and soups made fresh by their own pastry and food chefs. It’s a real co-op with member responsibilities and benefits. (603) 225-6840

3. Wine lovers will love to linger at Concord WineCellar Inc. at 28 S. Main. A hand-selected list of choice varietals and a knowledgeable proprietor, Carolyn Tarr, make this a great place to drop in and talk vino, or learn the language of the grape. Open from Tue. to Fri. 11 to 6 and Sat. 10 to 5. They also host regular wine tastings. www.concordwinecellar.com. (603) 224-2200

4. The green scene has found its complete expression in Real Green Goods, an Earth-friendly department store at 35 S. Main. OK, it’s sized a bit more like an Earth-friendly general store, but there is an amazing assortment of green products from cleaning supplies to personal care items to home goods to clothing and reusable shopping bags. www.realgreengoods.com. (603) 224-9700

5. Bread and Chocolate at 29 S. Main St. needs no introduction beyond its mouth-watering name, except to note that the confections of this world-class, European-style bakery extend well beyond those two food groups. The fact that the bakery and café are attached by a passageway to Gibson’s, one of the best independent bookstores in the state, only sweetens the deal. B&C:
(603) 228-3330, Gibson’s Books: (603) 224-0562.

6. New Age stores may seem a bit old fashioned in the 21st century, but Pachamama at 1 S. Main St. will not disappoint anyone looking for something that tinkles or shimmers with “psychic energy.” They host psychic fairs throughout the year, carry a goodly stock of arcane tomes of mystic lore and even carry some lovely homegoods in the way of teapots and embroidered fabrics. (603) 226-0716.