In 1994, the Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network formed to help low-income women realize their passions to own businesses. When the pilot program was successful, WREN formed a gallery and marketplace to give the hardworking men and women of the area a place to sell their goods and exhibit their work.
The Local Works Marketplace features the high-quality work of over 200 WREN members. Products range from jewelry, pottery, specialty foods, bath and body products, candles, textiles, baskets, photography, home decor and fine art. WREN holds several intriguing events throughout the year, including the Farmer's Market and Outdoor Marketplace that encourages visitors to "think local, buy local." www.wrencommunity.org Phone: (603) 869-3100 Address: 2011 Main Street, Bethlehem, NH 03574
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A trip to the Grand North wouldn't be complete without a souvenir of local flavor. In this case, the flavor is maple. Fuller's Sugar House, a year-round destination for maple products, has every variety of the sugary delicacy available, from the tried and true grades of maple syrup to the melt-in-your-mouth maple candy. Noted by North American Maple Producers as "Best in the World," this is a stop that simply can't be missed.
If planning a trip to the area over Labor Day, locals highly recommend a trip to the Fuller's Sugar House on the Lancaster Fair Grounds for a bag of fluffy Maple cotton candy.
Fuller's offers several other locally made gift items in their shop. Pottery, handmade kitchen items and blown glass ornaments decorate the walls of the sugar house. Here for a visit in the spring? Take a tour of the evaporator room to see how all that sap becomes golden brown syrup. www.fullerssugarhouse.com Phone: (603) 788-2719 Address: 267 Main Street, Lancaster, NH
Fiddleheads is nestled among the many Main Street shops in downtown Colebrook, adding to the overall charm of the quiet country town. The welcoming invitation given by the pieces of art displayed in the front windows should not be taken lightly because this is where you may find the perfect gift for a special person back home.
The honor of "Best Customer Service" bestowed on Fiddleheads by downtown holiday shoppers is out shined only by the quality of fine arts and gifts on display. The shop promotes the best of the United States, Canadian and Fair Trade Federation producers, ensuring that almost every item comes with a unique and fascinating story. Unique and "green" gifts are available as well, like the limited edition Pearl Pod earrings made from the copper roof of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed Unitarian Meeting House Church in Madison, Wisconsin.
Fiddleheads makes a point of supporting local artisans that capture the character of the area in their work. Hand painted wooden decoys, oil paintings and photographs are a few of the local works on display here. An on-site art gallery features works from the Connecticut River Artisan Group as well as many other local artists. Monthly changing themes with evening receptions welcome fresh new works and perspectives.
Before you head home from your New Hampshire Grand vacation, be sure to stop by Scoggins General Store to bring back with you some pleasant reminders of your visit. This Main Street shop is full of the flavors of the region and unique gifts you won't find anywhere else, from the outdoor-inspired decorative accent pieces and whimsical woodland creatures by Big Sky Carvers, to personalized mementos for the house sitter or dog walker from History and Heraldry. Scoggins has a terrific selection of specialty food products, too. The apple cinnamon barbecue sauce or the hot pepper jelly is the perfect touch for having friends over when you get home, and of course, there's plenty of maple syrup to keep your pancakes happy for months to come. Whether you are looking for a just-right souvenir or North Woods accent for your home, be sure to include Scoggins General Store in your vacation plans. By the way, the folks there won't let you leave until they give you a sweet bite of homemade fudge made right on the premises. www.scogginsstore.com Phone: (603) 466-5204 Address: 133 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581
Simon the Tanner is one of the finest retail establishments in the Grand North. A trip to the Main Street of Lancaster would not be complete without a walk through the store and we guarantee you'll do more than look. The décor of the building adds to the shopping experience with high ceilings, warm lighting and wonderful service. Simon the Tanner carries all the clothing needed to prepare for a trip to the North Country, from warm socks inside sturdy boots to jackets, sweaters, and hats. Carhartt, Dansko and Kleen Kanteen are just a few of the reputable lines of products sold here. www.simonthetanner.com Phone: (603) 788-4379 Address: 55 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584
On the border of the Grand North rests the quiet town of Littleton, New Hampshire. Littleton shares quite a bit with the Grand North, including the history of the mills, rural character and community support of local artisans.
The League of NH Craftsmen is a fine art gallery located on Main Street in the Village Bookstore. The League is a collaboration of artists throughout New Hampshire. The various retail galleries located throughout the state showcase the wonderful work of the people that live here. www.nhcrafts.org Phone: (603) 444-1099 Address: 81 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561
Jars gleam down the entire length of the store and are full of almost every candy imaginable. Children take special care in picking out their new favorites while adults nostalgically choose their older desired candy choice. Assortments of fudge and truffles call to their desirer from neatly organized glass cases. For the young, old and everyone in-between, Chutters is a "must-stop" for anyone with even a little bit of a sweet tooth. www.chutters.com Phone: (603) 444-0762 Address: 43 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561
What do you get when mix a healthy dose of pop culture, a good mix of local history books, eye popping artwork and an intriguing collection of upcycled handbags and accessories? You get SaVoir Flare. This Main Street shop in Berlin is where you want to go to get the kind of gifts your friends will love, and then say, "Where in the world did you find this?"
It's the kind of shop that will keep you coming back just to see what's new on the shelves, which you can explore while sipping a cup of coffee. Check out new music for your collection and make it a point to walk through the door on Saturdays - that's chair massage day! Oh, and when your friends ask where you got that trendy handbag you just gave them, you tell them, "I got it in Berlin!"
With our own goldsmith on the premises, we work with our customers to repair broken jewelry or resize rings. We can even resign heirloom jewelry with touches to make it your own. Our very own handcrafted design, Inspire, celebrates love and life and the possibilities that come about when they are joined.
