Barry Scharmett has been around the Milford Drive-In Theater in Milford since his parents purchased the business back in 1969. That was the heyday of drive-ins, but in the decades since, the Milford Drive-In, one of just three in New Hampshire, has done a steady business.
Virtual Trunk Shows and Virtual Engagement at Concord Boutique
It’s not the twenty-fifth anniversary year that Pam Peterson was envisioning for Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co., the boutique on North Main Street in Concord that she owns with her daughter Amanda Perkins. Instead of hosting sales and events to celebrate a quarter-century in business, Peterson and Perkins have been scrambling to shift sales online, engaging with their customers virtually and trying to keep the same fun, friendly vibe that has kept customers coming through their doors for decades.
Physically Distanced, But Socially Strengthened
When the pandemic took hold and Katharine Nevins moved toward curbside pickup for her shop, MainStreet Bookends of Warner, she reached out to her neighbors, the Warner Public Market. The shops should align their pick-up hours, Nevins reasoned, allowing people to shop downtown during one outing.
From Injury Treatment to Infection Prevention
Under normal circumstances, the 14 employees of the Safe Sports Network are treating ankle sprains or evaluating players for signs of concussions. But since the pandemic, they’re more likely to be found helping with temperature screenings at local businesses or guiding school districts on policies to keep young athletes safe when, and if, school sports resume in the fall.
From Video Production to Livestreaming
Since 2014, Rory Hurley and Eddie Gomez II have been working together to create short video content for small businesses throughout New Hampshire, from their shared workspace in the MAxT Makerspace in Peterborough. Their company, Drum Production Studio, produced everything from social media reels to marketing materials. But when the pandemic hit Main Street hard, 90% of business for Drum dried up, almost instantly.
Prioritizing Safety Over Profits
The Gilford Village Store has been a landmark in Gilford Village since 1836. But when the pandemic hit, it had only been reopened for a year and a half, after owners Malinda Laflamme and Alex Fraser bought it three years ago and gutted the building, opening with a deli, bakery and convenience store.
Making Irish Pub Food A Take-Out Norm
Normally, Patrick’s business centers around dining in. During the summer, much of the business comes from patrons headed to concerts at the nearby Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. When the pandemic hit, Beetle and his brother and co-owner Jeff Beetle, knew that they needed to pivot to take-out and delivery, which normally comprises only 1% of their revenue. Now, they’re planning to make that change permanent, while also opening to limited on-site dining, following state regulations.
Extending Goodwill To Keep Business Afloat
From Guided White Mountain Tours to Socially Distanced Adventures
When Louis DeAngelis and Tyler Weller, both of Plymouth, co-founded Effortless Adventure last year, they wanted to make camping easy and accessible. They began renting out camping gear, with about 90% of their clients coming from Massachusetts to visit the White Mountains.
