Merrimack Magazine 2019

Merrimack Welcome To Merrimack: Where Entrepreneurs Find Success pg. 13

2019 Edition

Top 12 Reasons to Love Merrimack

SPONSORED BY

magazine

Largest Employers Help Boost Area Economy

TIMBER! Lumberjack Championships Return to Merrimack page 18

MAKES IT EASY.

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4 John Tyler St., Unit H, Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-3669 www.merrimackchamber.org Merrimack Magazine is an annual publication of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce. Additional copies and bulk orders of the magazine are available from the Chamber of Commerce at the address above.

Published by A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF YANKEE PUBLISHING INC.

150 Dow Street, Manchester, NH 03101 603-624-1442 www.mcleancommunications.com Sharron McCarthy President/Publisher Kimberly Lencki Director of Sales Bill Burke Editor Jodie Hall Creative Services Director Nicole Huot Sr. Graphic Production Artist Barbara Gallaher Sales Executive Ronnie Schlender Sales Executive ©2019 Merrimack Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information obtained in this publication, the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce and McLean Communications, Inc. will not be held responsible for any errors that occur.

The Merrimack Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to preserving our residents’ quality of life, while promoting and advancing the Greater Merrimack business community. In the spirit of collaboration, the Chamber serves local and area residents, business owners as well as our education and government communities. Together, we work to provide exceptional services and quality products, volunteerism, and most importantly, a true commitment to be active corporate and community citizens.

On behalf of our members, welcome!

I

t’s no secret that Merrimack is an outstanding place to live, work and grow – and we’d like to tell you why.

It’s a great place to be. Conveniently nestled between two of New Hampshire’s largest cities, Merrimack is geographically large enough to be home to a wide variety of businesses and attractions, yet small enough to remain friendly and welcoming.

It’s got something for everyone. Our vibrant community offers everything from fine dining and outlet shopping to nature trails and parks. Bargain hunters flock to the Merrimack Premium Outlets and the many shops located throughout our town, hungry diners indulge at one of our many local restaurants, breweries, farm stands and cafés, while active residents and visitors alike lose themselves in the lush parks and meandering trail systems that weave through Merrimack’s borders.

You’d be hard pressed to find an area that offers so many opportunities while retaining the natural beauty that draws so many here.

It’s a welcoming, supportive community. In these pages, our business leaders and residents will show you what’s exciting, what’s new, what’s changing and how Merrimack is improving. We hope you visit the businesses listed here, as their commitment to this community is vital to its success.

The Merrimack Chamber of Commerce is proud to showcase our community. Whether you live, work, shop or play here, we think you’ll find that Merrimack offers endless opportunities.

We hope you will explore all that Merrimack offers. Visit, shop, dine, play, but most of all, enjoy Merrimack! Visit us at merrimackchamber.org.

Sincerely, Board of Directors Merrimack Chamber of Commerce

Our commitment to New Hampshire is what connects us.

At Eversource, our dedicated employees are there when you need us, no matter what job they do. Because we believe in serving the neighborhoods where we work and live. Just like you.

Eversource.com w w w. me rri mac k c h am ber.org 1

C O NT E N T S

RESOURCES:

Welcome to Merrimack

Longtime business owners, new entrepreneurs alike find success in town 13

4

GETTING TO KNOW GREATER MERRIMACK

6

ABOUT THE AREA

8

Perks of the PArks

10 THINGS TO DO 28 CHAMBER MEMBERS

Timber!

Lumberjack Championships return to Merrimack 18

12 Reasons to Love Merrimack

Why it’s easy to love living, working and growing in Merrimack 22

A Tale of Two Towns

Merrimack’s largest employers help boost local economy 26

On the Cover:

Competitors at the 2018 Lumberjack Championships, held at Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack. PHOTO BY KAREN BACHELDER 2 m e rrimack magazi ne • 2019

Fast-Paced Industry, Even Faster Commute You don’t have to trek to Boston to find a career on the cutting edge of technology. Headquartered in Merrimack, NH, Connection is a Fortune 1000 Global IT Solutions Provider looking for technical talent.

Find your passion closer to home and explore exciting new opportunities in the world of IT.

Our experts connect people with technology that:

Enhances Growth

Elevates Productivity

Empowers Innovation

1.800.800.JOBS www.connection.com/careers ©2019 PC Connection, Inc. All rights reserved. Connection® and we solve IT™ are trademarks of PC Connection, Inc. All other copyrights and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. C857134 0119 857134 2019 Nashua CofC Ad.indd 1

1/28/19 1:13 PM

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Getting to know Greater Merrimack The Community

Come discover a tight-knit community that’s thriving in the modern global economy while retaining its small-town New England history

The First Church of Merrimack, top left, first established in 1734; the Merrimack Historical Society, top right; and the Stowell Road Covered Bridge, above, which was built in 1990, spanning Baboosic Brook.

4 m e rrimack magazi ne • 2019

Southern New Hampshire is home to Merrimack — a community with a unique combination of economic opportunity, natural beauty and the sort of small-town charm that attracts growing families, enthusiastic young professionals and wide-eyed visitors from across the country. In Merrimack, picturesque parks, pristine waters and stunning forest vistas are at your fingertips, as are the professional opportunities made possible by a rapidly growing community that’s adapted beautifully to thrive as a part of the evolving, expanding regional and global economies. Merrimack is home to a flourishing group of technology companies, a colorful roster of restaurants serving deliciously varied cuisine, and the sort of effortless natural beauty that keeps visitors returning annually and residents here for a lifetime.

Come discover what’s here!

The History The town of Merrimack, in southern New Hampshire’s Hillsborough County, was created on April 2, 1746, when Governor Benning Wentworth signed a charter establishing the land from Pennichuck Brook to the Souhegan River as the Town of Merrymac. Less than 50 families lived here then, and Pawtucket, Nashuaway and Penacook Indians camped along the banks of the Merrimack and Souhegan Rivers. In the beginning, there were few stores and no schools, and industry consisted of saw and grist mills. Most Merrimack residents were farmers. Since then, the town has undergone an explosion of development and advancement, with the population increasing to more than 27,000. Town facilities have seen significant shifts, with new schools and colleges constructed, a one-time volunteer fire department replaced by a full-time force with three fire stations, and the police department expanding and modernizing.

The larger community has seen an evolution, too. Farms were replaced by developments, apartments and condominiums.

Industry came to focus on manufacturers of paper products, furniture and electronics. The Anheuser-Busch Brewery opened in 1970, including a paddock for the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Many larger stores and shopping malls, including the Merrimack Premium Outlets, were built along Route 3 and on Route 101A. Merrimack keeps on changing — for the better!

e cream stand. ic e d a m e m o h 1 # ’s e ir is New Hampsh M A 4O. E R C E C I s ’ GLAND SINCE 19 N E W E N T U O Hayward H G THROU CAL FARMERS SUPPORTING LO

Open Daily 11am - 9pm.

(Until 10pm During Summer Months) Now with 2 convenient locations!

7 Daniel Webster Highway Nashua, (603) 888-4663 364 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, (603) 424-5915 Our newest location with outside walk-up windows, indoor seating plus drive-through window service

haywardsicecream.com

OFFERING:

• Our famous hotdog special • Specialty dogs • Angus beef chili

• Over 40 flavors of hard serve • 11 flavors of soft-serve

Ice cream sold by the scoop. Build your dream cone with as many flavors as you want!

Surrounding Towns Amherst

Amherst is located on the western edge of the Merrimack Valley and the eastern edge of the Monadnock region. It is close to Manchester, Nashua and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. With a population of approximately 12,000, Amherst is a growing suburban community that has maintained historic and rural characteristics. Many historic buildings are preserved in the center of town, and the Amherst village area is well-known for its history and beauty.

Amherst Town Hall 2 Main Street, AMHERST, NH 03031 603-673-6041 • www.amherstnh.gov

Bedford

About the area Welcome to Merrimack! The community is perfectly suited to host your family vacation or weekend getaway, and it’s ideally located as a launching pad for short trips to a wide variety of Granite State destinations. From Merrimack, you can easily visit Manchester, Boston or the natural wonders of the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. No matter your final destination, your journey begins here.

Bedford is known as an upscale bedroom community for those commuting to Manchester, Nashua, Concord and Boston. Recently it has also gained favor as an outstanding location for businesses. The town is home to Legacy Park, a 70-acre facility that includes soccer, softball and baseball fields; cross-country ski trails and warming hut; basketball courts; tennis courts and a skateboard park.

Bedford Town Offices 24 North AmHERST Road, BEDFORD, NH 03110 603-472-5242 • www.bedfordnh.org

Hollis

The Nashua River flows through the southeast corner of the town out of Pepperell, Mass., and into Nashua.

The Nissitissit River flows through the western part of the town. Hollis lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed. Hollis has a number of traditions and celebrations characteristic of old New England towns, including two harvest festivals and the annual “Old Home Days” celebration.

Hollis Town Hall 7 Monument Square, HOLLIS, NH 03049 603-465-2209 • www.hollisnh.org

Driving distance to select cities: Manchester, NH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 miles Boston, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 miles Portland, ME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 miles New York City, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 miles Montreal, Quebec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 miles

Litchfield

Litchfield is a suburban community of more than 8,000 residents with a strong agricultural heritage. The small town is situated near I-293 and the Manchester- Boston Regional Airport, which makes it ideal for residents who commute almost anywhere.

Litchfield Town Offices 2 Liberty Way, LITCHFIELD, NH 03052 603-424-4045 • www.litchfield-nh.gov

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Merrimack Chamber of Commerce 4 John Tyler Street, Unit H Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-3669 merrimackchamber.org

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Merrimack Police Department 31 Baboosic Lake Road Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-3774, Emergency: 911 merrimacknh.gov/police-department

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Merrimack Fire and Rescue Department 432 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-3690 merrimacknh.gov/fire-and-rescue-department

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Merrimack Public Library 470 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-5021 merrimacklibrary.org

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Merrimack Historical Society 520 Boston Post Road Merrimack, NH 03054 603-880-4343 merrimackhistory.org

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John O’Leary Adult Community Center 4 Church Street Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-6306 merrimacknh.gov/parks-and-recreation/ pages/john-oleary-adult-community-center

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Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department 116 Naticook Road Merrimack, NH 03054 603-882-1046 merrimackparksandrec.org

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Merrimack Post Office 510 Daniel Webster Highway Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-9405 uspspostoffices.com/nh/merrimack/merrimack

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Merrimack Town Hall 6 Baboosic Lake Road Merrimack, NH 03054 603-424-2331 merrimacknh.gov

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PARKS & RECREATIONAL FACILITIES 1

Twin Bridge Park

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Illustration by Candace Gendron

To Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

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Partake in the Perks of our Parks

Here’s a look at some of the community’s more beautiful spots, where to find them, and what you can expect when you get there.

Left: Residents enjoy the annual Summer Concert Series at Abbie Griffin Park; Above: Skateboard Park on O’Gara Drive; Below: The Dock at Wasserman Park

Abbie Griffin Park 6 Baboosic Lake Road Adjacent to Town Hall, numerous concerts and festivities are held in this centrally-located spot every year. Look for the gazebo, which is a popular spot for weddings and other outdoor events.

O’Gara Drive Recreation Area O’Gara Drive Directly across the street from the James Mastricola Upper Elementary School, this is where you’ll discover the town’s basketball courts and its skateboard park.

Bishop Field

Reeds Ferry Athletic Fields 15 Lyons Road This 35-acre site has five soccer fields, one youth baseball field, two softball fields and one lacrosse field.

178 Baboosic Lake Road Located at the corner of Baboosic Lake Road and Madeline Bennett Drive, visit Bishop Field for its soccer and lacrosse facilities.

Gibson Memorial Complex 15 Atherton Road Just behind the Public Works garage, it’s here you’ll find a lighted softball field, the Timothy Gibson Athletic Complex and two youth baseball fields spread out across 18 acres.

Jonathon Simeone ATV Park 19 Dumas Lane A legal, fun and safe place to ride, this park is maintained by the New Hampshire Right Riders.

Twardosky Field 44 Amherst Road Twardosky Field is home to two soccer fields and a softball field.

Twin Bridges Park 484-482 Route 3 A 27-acre park deeded to the town in 1928, this spot offers walking paths, a play area, little league fields, half-court basketball and picnic areas. It’s also home to the Merrimack Youth Association headquarters building.

Veterans Memorial Park 5 Veterans Park Drive A boat ramp onto Naticook Lake, play areas, athletic fields and picnic areas make this a scenic and popular spot in town.

Wasserman Park 116 Naticook Road Visit the 46-acre Wasserman Park for a chance to swim, fish, play tennis, basketball or volleyball, picnic, or use it to access the Horse Hill Nature Preserve nearby.

Watson Park 441 Daniel Webster Highway Gifted to the town by Harold and Barbara Watson, visit this beautiful spot to enjoy scenic river views, a butterfly garden, ice skating in the winter, or picnicking in the warmer months.

Weston Park 49 Turkey Hill Road A 5.8-acre spot near the geographical center of Merrimack, Weston Park provides opportunities for fishing, picnicking and, in the winter, sledding.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT MERRIMACKPARKSANDREC.ORG 8 m e rrimack magazi ne • 2019

Photo by Candace Gendron

From quiet meadows and placid vistas along the river to lively evening concerts and movies, Merrimack’s parks offer residents a perfect place to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the town.

2019 New Hampshire Magazine

Put your smile and dental health in our care z Preventitive, periodontal and restorative care (tooth colored fillings) z Children’s dentistry z Crowns, bridges, veneers (same day CEREC crowns) z Implant restoration z Dentures and partial dentures z TMJ and Bruxism treatments z Snoring and Mild/Moderate sleep apnea treatment z Tooth whitening z Clear Orthodontic appliance therapy z Emergency Dental Care

Dr. Audrey Herod, DMD

Dr. Erika Antonsson, DMD

Accepting New Patients 603-424-6131 merrimackdental.com

St. Joseph’s Merrimack Medical Center, 382 Daniel Webster Highway • www.merrimackdental.com

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Things to do Enjoy the exciting entertainment options nearby – there’s something for every member of the family.

Local sports Nashua Silver Knights Futures Collegiate Baseball League Team Holman Stadium; 67 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 603-718-8883; www.nashuasilverknights.com

The Merrimack Public Library invites you to stop by for a visit.

We have something for everyone!

Events and Classes for children, teens & adults • 3D Printer Friends of the Library Group • Cake Pans • Reading Therapy Dogs Downloadable eBooks, eMagazines & Hoopla Lego Kits • DVDs, BlueRay, & Games and much more!

Call: 603-424-5021 Click: merrimacklibrary.org Come in: 470 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, NH

New Hampshire Fisher Cats Eastern League AA Baseball Team Northeast Delta Dental Stadium 1 Line Drive, Manchester, NH 603-641-2005; www.nhfishercats.com

Cultural and entertainment venues Aviation Museum of NH 27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, NH 603-669-4820; www.nhahs.org Bank of New Hampshire Pavillion at Meadowbrook 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, NH 603-293-4700; www.banknhpavilion.com Capitol Center for the Arts 44 S. Main Street, Concord, NH 603-225-1111; www.ccanh.com Currier Museum of Art 150 Ash Street, Manchester, NH 603-669-6144; www.currier.org Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, NH 603-929-4100; www.casinoballroom.com Millyard Museum 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 603-622-7531; www.manchesterhistoric.org/ millyard-museum Palace Theatre 80 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 603-668-5588; www.palacetheatre.org SEE Science Center 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 603-669-0400; www.see-sciencecenter.org Symphony NH 6 Church Street, Nashua, NH 603-595-9156; www.symphonynh.org SNHU Arena 555 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 603-644-5000; www.snhuarena.com

10 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

Americans are catching onto the idea of ramen and other Asian noodle bowls as comfort food. At Hana Japanese Restaurant in Merrimack, find a whole tour of Asian soup that includes Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. For those looking for an introduction, this is a great place to sample a wide range of dishes.

Next time you feel the need for food therapy, consider one of these filling, satisfying, spicy bowls of noodle soup.

To view our full menu, visit us online at: hanamerrimack.com

Tonkotsu Ramen

Sushi Deluxe

7 Continental Boulevard, Merrimack, NH 03054 603-377-7253 | hanamerrimack.com Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 11:30 am–9:00 pm | Sun: 5pm–10 pm | Tues: Closed

BBQ Pork

Chicken Himmapan

Thai Cuisine is a true favorite for authentic Thai fare!

Our extensive menu features curries, noodles, stir-fries, and much more. Join us for lunch or dinner and we’ll provide you the friendliest service, the yummiest food, and a comfortable environment. Our fare is so authentic and delicious, it’ll transport you to the streets of Bangkok!

Merrimack Shopping Center, 6 Dobson Way, Merrimack NH 603-424-8035 | sweetgingerthai.com

Hours: Mon–Thurs: 11:30 am–9:30 pm | Fri: 11:30 am–10 pm | Sat: Noon–10 pm | Sun: Closed

Holly Morales, owner of the Merrimack location of 9Round Fitness, says the town is blossoming – allowing her business to flourish.

(Photos by Kendal J. Bush)

welcome to

Merrimack Longtime business owners, new entrepreneurs alike find success in town

I

t’s 6:30 a.m. on a Monday, and Holly Morales is throwing punches.

She’s also kicking, spinning and striking. As the owner of 9Round, a high-energy kickboxingthemed fitness gym at 416 Daniel Webster Highway, it’s what she does on most days. In fact, step inside this kickboxing playground, and you’ll likely find yourself burning calories and building muscle under the tutelage of “Hurricane Hols” and her team of trainers.

“Our trainers are always here on staff, so people can drop in and do their workout and there’s always someone here to guide them,” Morales says. “We have a kickboxing focus, which is unique, and we don’t have class times, which makes it easy for people to get in and out in half an hour.”

9Round is a specialized fitness center built around a kickboxing-themed fitness program. A 30-minute workout, it’s divided into nine, three minute ‘rounds’ that include cardio, interval and circuit training regimens.

“That’s what makes us unique,” Morales says.

“It’s the type of exercises and the convenience. The rotation changes every three minutes, so you just pop in.”

Morales, the longtime owner of Merrimack Virtual Bookkeeping Services, studied Muay Thai kickboxing for seven years before earning her second degree black belt. She was a charter member of 9Round when it first opened in August of 2017, and fell in love with the concept and the business itself. When the opportunity came up to take over ownership, she jumped at it.

“Being a member of 9Round already, I knew the people who were coming in,” she says. “They were my peeps. I have kids who grew up in the Merrimack school system, so I was familiar with a lot of people through that, as well. The town is like

a big family. People in Merrimack are very supportive. They watch out for each other.”

Morales took over in September of 2018, and worked with the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce to hold an open house — which helped her attract new members and exposed 9Round to businesses and potential members who may not have otherwise known about the unique fitness approach.

The result: membership is up. The youngest 9Rounder is 10 years old, the oldest is 60.

And when members achieve milestones (100 workouts/900 rounds, for example), they are invited to sign one of the bricks that line the walls of the gym.

“They usually leave a note of inspiration,” she says. “They tend to pick a brick near a favorite round or a place where they may have overcome a struggle.”

It’s another example of the community Morales has built within the town she chose to locate her businesses.

“I’ve lived in Merrimack for 17 years myself, and there’s no place like it,” Morales says. “In Merrimack, the people are just so friendly and welcoming. We’ve seen a huge increase in the development in town, and it’s a good thing.

Merrimack is blossoming.”

Just a few doors down, Jessica Sarno is taking a tray of whoopie pies out of the oven. Much like Morales, the owner of Sarno’s Sweets starts her days early.

“We usually spend most mornings getting the case set up for walk-ins during the day,” Sarno says. “I make my list, I see what I have going on for the weekends, which usually include specialty orders and cupcakes.”

Sarno’s Sweets is a small bake shop in the

Merrimack Village Mall Shopping Center that offers a delectable (and evolving) menu of cupcakes, cake pops, brownies, éclairs, macaroons, cakes and cheesecakes, all made fresh daily by the practiced hand of its skilled owner/baker.

“I was known for my custom cakes before opening the bakery,” Sarno says. “But what I really love doing is all different flavors of cheesecakes. I guess that would be our specialty.”

A quick look at the tempting varieties in the display case in the front of the 1,000 square-foot bakery reveals berry, key lime, chocolate, pumpkin and Oreo flavors, in addition to the classics.

Originally from Georgia, Sarno found her way to Merrimack after a culinary career that took her through Florida and then to her husband Derick’s w w w. me rri mac k c h amber.org 1 3

native Northeast. It’s here that she learned about the New England delicacy known as the whoopie pie — a discovery she quickly learned to perfect.

“Whoopie pies have been a huge thing,” she says. “They’re maybe our best-seller, which I never would’ve predicted.”

Six months after taking over the shop, Sarno says business is increasing. Word-of-mouth in a town supportive of small businesses has helped the entrepreneur grow her burgeoning bakery, and give her the confidence that she chose the right spot.

“It seemed like a great area,” Sarno says of choosing the location. “It’s a busy area. A lot of things are up and coming, right here. We had actually looked in this area years ago when we were looking to buy a house, so we already liked it.

It seemed like a good business opportunity and a good location.”

The space already had a small kitchen, perfect for what the 38-year-old baker had in mind — namely, an oven, a sink, a display case and refrigerators and freezers. With the equipment in place, a plan, and a set of culinary kills accumulated over a 20-year career in the business, Sarno opened the doors and welcomed residents into Merrimack’s own version of Willy Wonka’s factory.

“We really like the community,” Sarno says.

“Everyone has been really welcoming and friendly and supporting. They really seem to want small businesses to grow and have opportunity here. It’s a nice feeling that they want you to do well.

“It makes me feel like we’re on our way to becoming a well-established business.”

Even businesses that are established may occasionally need to seek out a new location. For Dr. Sajini Shetty, of Dental Designs of New England, it became a necessity when her practice outgrew its original space after 10 years in town.

She didn’t have to look far.

“2018 was the 10th anniversary of starting Dental Designs of New England,” she says. “I had outgrown my original space, and it was looking tired. I also wanted my office to reflect the type of care that we were already providing. We moved in December and officially opened in January 2019.”

Now located in the Merrimack Village Plaza, Dental Designs of New England is near St. Joseph’s Primary Care building and Convenient MD, making it a great addition to the health care providers in the plaza.

“I also wanted to create an office that is relaxing and comfortable for patients,” Shetty says. “As a dentist, I know not many people like coming to the dentist. So I wanted a spa-like atmosphere where people could forget about their anxieties.

The color scheme, the heated and massage seats, and TVs overhead with headphones help patients zone out.”

14 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

Jessica Sarno displays just some of the delicious treats she bakes daily at Sarno’s Sweets.

(Photo by Kendal J. Bush)

Looking for “a great community,” Shetty acquired an existing Merrimack-based practice in 2008. The larger employers like Fidelity, BAE, Anheuser-Busch and Elbit Systems would provide a diverse and educated patient population, she says.

Additionally, the thriving community of families and young people who call Merrimack home — combined with the opening of the Merrimack Premium Outlets — created a perfect situation for the practice.

“New Hampshire is a great place to do business,” Shetty says. “I chose to practice in Merrimack because it is a great small town nestled between two larger cities. I live in Massachusetts, which is a short ride away, and I can still enjoy all the things Merrimack has to offer.”

There was a time when Merrimack residents seeking a break from the heat would head to the next town over for a cool treat. Now, that drive is a lot shorter.

Hayward’s Ice Cream, which has been serving up homemade confections for generations, has opened a new location at the Merrimack 360 Shopping Center. According to owner Chris Ordway, grandson of founders Charles P. and Fredericka Hayward, the decision to expand into Merrimack — especially during a time of renewal at the former Shaw’s Plaza — was natural.

“It’s a great town — a growing town,” Ordway says. “It’s a town where people are branching out to live in, whether they’re working here or in Massachusetts or the Boston area. We saw a lot of potential in Merrimack.”

The original Hayward’s first started scooping ice cream on June 15, 1940. And for nearly 80 years, there’s been a member of the Hayward family behind the counter to welcome those on the hunt for some of the best ice cream in the Granite State.

“We see families bringing in new generations all the time,” Ordway says of longtime customers.

MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar Downtown Nashua (603) 595-9334 www.MTsLocal.com

Surf Restaurant Nashua (603) 595-9293

Portsmouth (603) 334-9855

www.SurfSeafood.com

Buckley’s Great Steaks

Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe

Merrimack, NH (603) 424-0995

Merrimack Hollis (603) 595-9334 (603) 465-5522

www.BuckleysGreatSteaks.com

www.BuckleysBakeryCafe.com

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Why Merrimack?

Kristen Brannen shows off a tower made up of five scoops of some of Hayward Ice Cream’s more colorful flavors.

(Photo by Kendal J. Bush)

“It is a great place to do business. The town has been easy to work with during the construction process. Other small companies are doing well in the area due to community support and the draw from neighboring towns and cities. Merrimack offers the benefits of bigger cities without the hassle of the big city.”

— Dr. Sajini Shetty, Dental Designs of New England

“It’s a good place to start a business. It’s a good place to have business. Merrimack is welcoming and friendly. Opening a business here has been an easier process than I thought it would.

I would tell others thinking about bringing their business to Merrimack to go for it.”

— Jessica Sarno, Owner, Sarno’s Sweets

“It’s still new to Merrimack, but we get people coming in who grew up going to Nashua and telling us that they love that we’re here now.

“They tell us they came in when they were kids, and now they’re bringing their kids. It’s a tradition people have, and now we’re able to grow that in Merrimack.”

The new 2,000-square-foot location adds a new wrinkle to the longtime area favorite, providing an indoor seating area to go along with the outside counter service. Step inside and visitors discover a beautifully-maintained, rustic, casual dining area leading to an open counter where hungry guests can place their order and watch their treats assembled just feet away. Outside, there are four walk-up windows, two patios and picnic tables draped with string lighting to illuminate everything once the sun goes down.

“It’s the atmosphere that makes this place

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special,” Ordway says. “The whole indoor dining area in the lobby makes it unique. It’s not something most places have around here. A lot of free-standing ice cream stands don’t do walk-up and dining — they usually have one or the other.

We can accommodate people either way.”

So far, that approach has proven to be a recipe for success. When the doors first opened in March, it didn’t take long for lines to form.

“We tried to do a soft opening,” Ordway says.

“We didn’t do any advertising, we just kind of opened up quietly and a lot of people found out very quickly. We got extremely busy. It was overwhelming. We flicked on the open sign, and that’s all it took.”

Since that day, residents have been able to indulge in the many treats, the renowned steamed hot dogs, grilled cheese and the evolving menu of handmade flavors that have drawn people to Hay-

ward’s for decades. (Ordway’s favorite is the classic French vanilla: “It’s that egg custard flavor.”)

“The Chamber really helped us with our grand opening,” he says. “We had a ribbon cutting and a number of Chamber members came for firstservice. It really got a buzz going and as people drove by they could see groups forming. Between that and the word of mouth at the Chamber, people knew we were coming in advance.”

As for others considering opening a business in Merrimack?

“I’d tell people to do it,” he says. “They picked the right area. Just make sure you check that you’re in the appropriate area for your business and do it right by the people of Merrimack. The people of Merrimack deserve to have things done right for them. Give them what they deserve and they’ll treat you well.” n

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Lumberjack Championships return to Merrimack events, other nights I’ll do all the sawing events.”

The entire event can trace its lineage back to a ruggedly traditional heritage, when such skills were an important part of thriving and surviving. Everything on stage during the weekend — the sawing, climbing, throwing and chopping — began as skills required by loggers, lumberjacks and arborists to complete their work.

“All of the events in this competition — everything you’ll see all weekend long has historical relevance,” event announcer Dave Johns says. “Everything you see on stage is based on actual things old time lumberjacks did in the woods.

“The origins came from the old logging camps where workers would be out there for months at a time. They’d start challenging each other: ‘hey, I bet I can cut that tree faster than you. I bet I can throw an ax better than you. I bet I can climb a tree faster than you.’”

And now, scores of competitors compete in events such as the underhand chop, ax throwing, the twoperson, three-board handicap jigger and the hot saw.

“One of the big events you’ll see at the Buschhhhh

Lumberjack Championships is the handicap three board jig — it’s the only event in the U.S. that does it this way,” Johns says.

Johns prefers to compete in the ax throw, but looks forward to watching the spring board competition, wherein a single competitor climbs a 9-foot tree by chopping notches, placing a sequence of spring boards and then cutting a block at the top.

More than 20 women are also expected to take part, and competitors will be arriving from throughout North America. Lumberjacks and jills will be traveling from Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and throughout New England and Canada, among other locations, to take part.

The competition has been expanded to start on Friday night, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. , and the available prize money has been increased. Parking is plentiful, spectators can visit the Biergarten, and food vendors, like Stone and Fire Wood Fire Pizza Catering, will also be on-site.

“People from in and around Merrimack will recognize a number of vendors,” Johns says.

“It’s going to be fun, exciting, and we’ll be able to see

Photos by Karen Bachelder

T

he roar of chainsaws and the thud of sharpened axes sinking into timber will once again fill the air as many of the top lumberjacks and lumberjills in the nation travel to Merrimack to compete in the Buschhhhh Lumberjack Championships this fall.

In what has become an annual event in town, scores of competitors arrive at the Anheuser-Busch Merrimack Brewery prepared to test themselves against iron, wood and horsepower. And with a full slate of favorites and a number of new events, a bigger purse and extended hours, this year’s competition is expected to draw even more spectators to the region.

“This is the second largest event of its kind in New England and one of the biggest in the country,” event organizer Ben Marshall says. “And it’s the biggest and first at a brewery as recognizable as AnheuserBusch.”

With the help of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce, and Able Ebenezer co-founder Carl Soderberg, in particular, the competition moved from nearby Hudson to the Biergarten at AnheuserBusch last year after outgrowing its former home. The first year of the event, nearly 40 competitors tested their skills during the championship. In 2018 there were 75 lumberjacks and lumberjills who traveled to Merrimack to compete. Attendance and participation is continuing to increase, Marshall says.

“Our family-owned company, Atomic Tree Service, is a sponsor, and we donate the wood every year,” the 30-year-old says. “Last year we needed 200 blocks — this year we’re estimating we’ll need 300.”

Each block — the wood chopped or sawn-through during the various competitions — is hand-picked from a collection of matched logs, cut and turned on a lathe so they’re all the same size, ensuring each participant is competing on equal footing. From there, it’s a matter of skill, conditioning and training.

“I try to get to the gym two to three days a week on top of working,” says Marshall, a regular competitor at a number of lumberjack events nationwide.

“At night, I may go home and put up a block of wood for each event and go through the different events.

I’ll mix it up — some nights I’ll work on all chopping

w w w. me rri mac k c h amber.org 1 9

some of the best lumberjacks and jills in the world.”

Organizers say people can expect to see renowned competitors like the highly-decorated Mike Sullivan, from Connecticut, and multiple title winner Dave Jewett, from New York. It’s proven a popular event and destination for Merrimack residents, and for the scores of fans who travel to take part in and watch the skilled athletes compete.

“From the first year, in 2013, to last year, it’s really blown up,” Marshall says. “We want it to be one of the biggest, and we want it to be a show where anyone who is someone wants to go to.”

Marshall’s best advice: bring the family, a camera, a chair or a blanket, and then prepare for a perfect day of competition.

“It’s a family event,” he says. “Ticket prices and food are very reasonable and extremely good. It’s a full day, and it’s less expensive than going to the movies. A lot of these competitors are world record holders.” n

Seeing Saws A number of physically-demanding events will be held during the two-day competition. Here are several of the challenges that lumberjacks and jills will face — and that spectators will see in action at the Buschhhhh Lumberjack Championships: Axe Throw: Competitors hurl axes overhand at a five-inch bullseye 20 feet away. The ax must make one full rotation before cleaving the target.

Hot Saw: Modified chainsaws slice through logs — three cuts, up-down-and up again — leaving three wood cookies. Fastest on the hot saw wins.

Single Buck: Participants must make one cut through a log using a single man cross-cut saw.

Springboard Chop: Competitors establish a cutting platform by cutting pockets into a 9-foot tree, placing springboards into the next notch as they make their way to the top.

Underhand Chop: Lumberjacks and jills stand atop a log and swing away. When the signal is given, he or she begins to chop through the log with a racing ax. Upon reaching the top, he or she must then chop through the log.

20 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

Photos by Karen Bachelder

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NH businesses stick to recycling despite glut Committed companies remain focused on sustainability

BY BOB SANDERS

change? Learn to adapt Faced with g yourself ’ stresses the importance of ‘reinventin NHBR event

there. We recognize the got us here won’t get us we are, and the contripeople who got us to where made, but inevitable characteris- butions all the people along the way have Adapting to change is an get us in order to survive. there’s also the acknowledgement that won’t tic each business must develop of the five panelists par- to where we need to be in the future.”

These were the wise words taking chances, such as “Leading Through Adapting to change means ticipating in NH Business Review’s April 16 at the Manches- investing in new technology and new ideas.

Change” event on Tuesday, that has been headVelcro, a worldwide brand ter Country Club in Bedford. the 1950s, had Reinventyears old? quartered in Manchester since “How do you get to be 100 vice president of a 20-year market advantage with its pating yourself,” said Mark Fryberger, 13 which PAGE Keene, CHANGE, in THROUGH Grocers ent for LEADING finance at C&S Wholesale “We like to say what started in 1918 in Massachusetts.

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98% of its waste.

Hypertherm Inc. recycles of Northern New Coca-Cola Bottling Company Hannaford’s 79% inEngland is headed for 96%. waste. cludes recycling all of its food their recycling proWhile municipalities rethink businesses — at grams in light of falling markets, the environment — least those that care about game. seem to be stepping up their the Northeast Re“Recycling rules!” proclaims a nonprofit orgasource Recovery Association, promotes recynization based in Epsom that cling. “But the rules have changed.” about the reBy now, many have heard selling at half cycling glut. Cardboard is and glass the price it used to. Mixed paper have to pay to once fetched cash. Now you blue get rid of them. And that single-stream such room? Well, recycling box in the break of the current heart the commingling is at recycling dilemma.

“We switched to single stream a long time ago,” said Colleen coFlaherty, communications ordinator for the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire. “We got higher rates of recycling, but RECYCLING, PAGE 14

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12 Reasons to love Merrimack

Merrimack is a great place to grow a business, put down roots, and it’s even an ideal place to spend your golden years. What makes it perfect?

We could go on all day, but we’ve narrowed it down to a dozen reasons why it’s easy to love living, working and growing in Merrimack.

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The Merrimack Walkabout From winding pathways that twist through wooded forests to rolling trails that skirt brooks and ponds, the trail system that weaves through Merrimack offers a diverse natural outlet for anyone hoping to immerse themselves into the meticulously curated surroundings. Trail runners, hikers, bikers, cross country skiers and snowshoers have discovered the beauty of Merrimack’s natural treasures.

The longest continuous trail — the Loop Trail, which weaves through the Horse Hill Nature Preserve — is four and ½ miles long, while beginners can try the Gateway and Red Maple Trails in Grater Woods.

Welcome to Cupcake Heaven Craving something sweet? Point yourself at one of several top-notch bakeries that whip up irresistible goodies day and night, right here in Merrimack. Three such shops — all located along the Daniel Webster Highway — create a variety of baked goods. From the gluten-free selections at Bite Me Kupcakez (look for the eye-catching pink shop) and the savory perfection of the sandwiches at Buckley’s Bakery and Cafe to the unmatched perfection of the cheesecakes and whoopie pies at Sarno’s Sweets, it’s difficult to drive through town without sinning just a little.

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Location, Location, Location Situated between two of the state’s largest cities — Manchester and Nashua — just 30 minutes from Concord and only a few miles from the Massachusetts border, Merrimack is an ideal spot for anyone seeking access to transportation centers, airports, businesses, shopping and government offices. It’s all just minutes away. flymanchester.com

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It’s a Business-Friendly Town Sole proprietorships, home-based businesses and companies with few employees sit alongside corporations with thousands of workers, and yet the town is a perfect fit for both. Meet with business owners and you’ll discover there’s an entrepreneurial spirit that runs through Merrimack. It’s a town that embraces networking, supports business and values connections, making it an ideal place to start or grow a business. Communicate with the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce and become part of a town where you can plan, build and hustle. merrimackchamber.org

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Safe and Sound The state’s eighth largest community is also one of its safest. We’ve got bicycle patrols; the Coffee With a Cop program; a prescription drug drop off box where residents can dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications; a safe exchange area located just outside the police station where residents can meet for child custody exchanges or to conduct online sales transactions; and a citizens police academy, among the other forward-thinking programs at the Merrimack Police Department. merrimacknh.gov/police-department

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Always a Full Dance Card From the farmers market on Church Street to Movies in the Park and the Summer Concert Series at Abbie Griffin Park, there’s always something to do every day of the week in Merrimack. Every year, the Anheuser Busch Brewery holds special events such as The Great American Ribfest and the Buschhhhh Lumberjack Championships. With community gatherings for the Fourth of July, Halloween and the Winter Carnival, there’s always a celebration to take part in. merrimackparksandrec.org greatamericanribfest.com facebook.com/buschhhhhlumberjack

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Early Education The town’s first year of full-day kindergarten has been a success, with parents and students enthusiastically embracing the opportunity for the first time at Merrimack’s three elementary schools.

Math, literacy, science and social studies are bolstered with ‘specials’ like art, music, library and computer time, and physical education. And now, the school board has revised its early-admission policy — students who are 5-years-old by Sept. 30 can join their friends in class starting this fall.

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Welcome to Shopping Heaven Boutiques, shops and restaurants — big and small — line the roadways and plazas throughout Merrimack. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, some new clothes, the right pair of shoes, a great beach read or just a reason to treat yourself, it’s somewhere here in town. And the best part — it’s tax free! premiumoutlets.com/outlet/merrimack

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Tee it Up Some of the finest golf in the region is right on our doorstep. Nestled beside the Souhegan River in nearby Amherst, the Amherst Country Club offers both 18 holes of championship golf and a nine-hole executive course with a lighted driving range, putting/chipping green and practice bunkers at its Ponemah Green. At Sky Meadow Country Club, challenge yourself on 18 holes of 6,590 yards of golf. It’s reputation has grown as long as its fairways: Sky Meadow has been rated as the No. 1 Golf Course in the State of New Hampshire by Golf Digest Magazine. playamherst.com skymeadow.com

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Sipping Central If you’re of-age and feeling slightly parched, there’s can be no more ideal location to turn than Merrimack. Able Ebenezer Brewing Company is a veteran-owned and operated craft beer brewer that produces revolutionary ales on one side of town, while Anheuser-Busch, one of the larger employers in Merrimack, recently completed a multimillion dollar expansion, allowing it to increase its already prodigious production capabilities. Just down the road, Djinn Spirits is creating unparalleled whiskeys, gins and liqueurs every day. Pro tip: drop in for a tasting at Djinn Spirits and chat with owners Andy and Cindy Harthcock to hear the fascinating story of how they’re producing Krupnik — a spirit crafted from a 500-year-old recipe first concocted by Lithuanian monks. ableebenezer.com anheuser-busch.com djinnspirits.com 24 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

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Granite – and Golden Stay active — or kick back and relax. The choice is yours when you retire here in Merrimack, where tax rates, proximity to world-class health care, endless dining, shopping, travel, recreation and cultural opportunities and easy access to mountains and the ocean make it a perfect place to spend your golden years. merrimacknh.gov/senior-citizens-club

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A Healthy Merrimack Access to top-notch care makes Merrimack a perfect spot to put down roots. In need of a routine check-up, a cleaning at the dentist or even some expert, long-term care? It’s all right here. The list of healthcare options is extensive and diverse: ConvenientMD can look at that bump or bruise, Derry Imaging can scan your aches and pains and St. Joseph Hospital can provide unmatched medical expertise, among many other healthcare options. convenientmd.com/locations/merrimack-nhurgent-care-03054 merrimackdental.com dentaldesignsofnewengland.com derryimaging.com derrymedicalcenter.com healthymerrimack.com hhhc.org (Home Health & Hospice Care) snhhealth.org stjosephhospital.com n

Make it a Baker’s Dozen Merrimack’s New Highway Garage When the snow starts flying, time can be of the essence. Now, Merrimack is more prepared than ever to address that yearly challenge – and a host of others – thanks to its new 14,000-square-foot highway garage.

After a year under construction, the town’s new $3.3 million highway garage was opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony in May. The new facility houses the Department of Public Works highway staff, which is responsible for Merrimack’s roads, bridges, parks, cemeteries, drainage infrastructure and plowing; and its equipment maintenance staff, which is responsible for upkeep on all of the town’s vehicles, including police, fire, public works and government vehicles. Those tasks and responsibilities are now centralized in the new facility, improving efficiency and effectiveness, Director of Public Works Kyle Fox says.

“It’s turned out to be a beautiful building,” Town Council Chairman Tom Koenig said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s turned out to be a beautiful complex that we can be very proud of for many years into the future.”

The town’s Department of Public Works employs

A&E

62 people; 27 of those will now work out of the new building.

“The biggest change is that we now have a facility that can fit all of our employees,” Fox says. “And one of the key things is that in the old building, the offices were part of the work space. So the fumes and the odors from the diesel vehicles and the maintenance work would seep into the office areas.

The new building is really two distinct buildings attached to each other – the equipment maintenance bay is completely separated environmentally from the office areas.”

Just months into construction, the town was able to put it into use during a January snowstorm, which marked the first time workers and trucks were dispatched from the new building. A number of trucks were pre-loaded with sand and salt to help clear roadways before the storm hit, which is a marked improvement from the older process.

“We couldn’t pre-load with sand and salt previously, when the trucks were outside, because the moisture from the snow would cause it to freeze,” Fox says. “We’d have to clean the trucks off, warm

13

them up, get them loaded from the south shed oneby-one – which could be a 30-45 minute process – before we got everyone out the door. Now, we can have all the trucks ready, and we can get people right out on the road.”

Additionally, the town expects to see savings due to the improved conditions allowing for a longer lifespan for its vehicles.

“Another benefit is that we’ll likely keep these trucks two years longer,” Fox says. “They won’t be out in the elements year-round now. We can expect two additional years of life from them.”

The funding for the new facility was raised through a bond passed by voters.

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A Tale of Two Towns

Merrimack’s largest employers help boost local economy

B

y 7 a.m., on most weekday mornings, Exit 10 from the Everett Turnpike starts to come to life.

Many of the commuters turn at Spartan Way and onto the Fidelity Investments campus, while others head further down the Daniel Webster Highway past Merrimack Technology Park before turning into Anheuser-Busch or even a little further down to BAE Systems.

During that daily commute, the thousands of people who come into Merrimack pass ­— and stop into — shops, retailers and other service providers.

It’s just one of the benefits of having large singlesite employers located in the town limits.

“When you have a daytime population that swells as much as it does, it benefits area businesses,” says Tim Thompson, Merrimack Community Development director. “It certainly helps, economically.”

With roughly 27,000 residents over its 33.4 square miles, Merrimack is the eighth most populated municipality in the state. But that number

26 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

grows to nearly 39,000 when Merrimack’s top 10 largest employers turn on the lights each day and workers begin to arrive, putting it fourth — just under Concord — in terms of population.

The economic impact those employers and their workers bring to the town and the region is substantial. According to New Hampshire Employment Security’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau, Merrimack’s largest employers are Fidelity Investments, Connections (formerly PC Connections), BAE Systems, the Merrimack Premium Outlets and the Merrimack School District. Those employers alone bring nearly 10,000 people into town, every day.

Fidelity Investments established its Merrimack site in 1996 and employs more than 6,000 people — including 1,400 technologists who deliver solutions to personal, workplace and institutional clients. Merrimack is also home to Fidelity’s Fixed Income Investment Management group headquarters.

“The economic impact is one of those things

that’s hard to quantify,” Thompson says. “But for example, Fidelity’s daytime employment base puts 6,000 people on their campus. That’s 6,000 people moving through town, going out and grabbing lunch, taking care of errands and utilizing local businesses. There’s a spinoff affect to having those employees here. It benefits the town’s service providers.”

Fidelity additionally taps into the local community by inviting farmers from the area to come on-site once a week to provide access to the latest harvest; local restaurants to come on-site to provide fresh and rotating cuisine, like sushi and Indian fare; and local food trucks to visit campuses throughout the year. Workers also often explore the dining options in and around the area — including just across Industrial Drive at another of Merrimack’s largest employers, the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

More than 900 people are employed at the nearly 100 retailers at the Merrimack Premium Outlets, which opened in June of 2012. The

560,000 square feet of retail space is home to retailers such as Tory Burch, Bloomingdale’s Outlet Store, Theory, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th and Kate Spade New York, along with a roster of dining options that includes Buckhead Grill, Chicken Now, China Max and Green Leaf’s, among others. In addition to the groups of shoppers and diners who visit the destination from the region, more than 150 tour groups visit the center each year.

“We are proud to be an integral part of the business community and a contributor to the local and regional economy,” Vincent Cosco, general manager of the Merrimack Premium Outlets says.

“The center is also a hub of tourism in New Hampshire, welcoming visitors throughout New England as well as Canada, China and Europe — driven by our tax-free shopping experience.”

Two miles away, BAE Systems, employs more than 1,300 people at its Merrimack site. BAE, a global defense, aerospace and security firm, contributed $1.1 billion to the New Hampshire economy in 2018. That amount, measured by aggregate employee salaries, subcontracts and charitable donations, includes $978.8 million in payroll and benefits to more than 6,000 New Hampshire-based employees; $135 million awarded for subcontracts and purchase orders to 246 suppliers in the state, including $109.1 million to 186 small businesses; and $1.3 million in charitable funds from the company and its employees to local organizations.

Included in the charitable donations is $471,000 in financial support of higher education, high schools and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. As part of the company’s commitment to STEM, BAE Systems donated $265,000 to New Hampshire-based FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology).

The top 5 employers in Merrimack, according to New Hampshire Employment Security’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau: • Fidelity Investments: 6,000 employees • Connections, Inc.: 1,077 employees • Merrimack Premium Outlets: 900 employees • BAE Systems: 816 employees • Merrimack School District: 800 employees *Data as of December 2018

“We are committed to supporting the New Hampshire region and beyond by leveraging our rapid growth in 2018 to offer new, high-tech jobs across an expanding footprint in the communities in which we live and work,” said Terry Crimmins, president of BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector. “We start this year with powerful momentum, as we continue to grow, innovate and increase our manufacturing capacity to deliver high-quality, trusted products to meet the commitments to our customers around the world.”

The donation is the latest in a long line of company support for FIRST Robotics, which spans more than 25 years. BAE Systems reinforced its commitment to FIRST in 2019, with the recent launch of a nationwide annual FIRST Robotics Scholarship and Internship Program for high school seniors.

The company’s recent growth has helped fuel ongoing impact, including more than 1,100 new hires in New Hampshire last year. The increased headcount has pushed operating space to a total of 2.6 million square feet in multiple facilities across New Hampshire to support projected growth in the areas of electronic warfare, threat management, precision munitions, undersea, space, cyber and autonomy. BAE Systems has more than 700 active job openings in business development, engineering, operations, program management, manufacturing and other key areas.

A little further down the Everett Turnpike and then a few miles along Amherst Street brings the more than 1,000 employees of Connection, Inc. (formerly PC Connection) to the information technology solutions provider’s global headquarters.

This past year, Connection reported a 6.6% increase in revenue to $2.7 billion, resulting in $64.6 million profit. The company started as a direct mailer, selling computer hardware and software to individuals and small businesses. It now earns more revenue moving toward cloudbased services, and working with Fortune 1000 companies (43%), according to the company’s financial statement.

The result: Connection, and the other large employers in town, have found a stable, welcoming home in Merrimack.

“Merrimack is strategically located between the two largest cities in the state,” Thompson says. “It provides good access to transportation — major roadways, rail, great access to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport — it makes Merrimack an attractive place for economic development.

“Then you have to factor in the quality of life. The demographics show a relatively higher median income in the community than other communities of similar size, and the education level of residents makes the town attractive to businesses who are looking at different locations.” n

More than 900 people arrive to work each day at the nearly 100 retailers in the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

BAE Systems, a global defense, aerospace and security firm, employs more than 1,300 people at its Merrimack location.

Employees enjoy some of the amenities at Fidelity Investments’ Merrimack campus, which is home to its Investment Management Group headquarters. w w w. me rri mac k c h amber.org 2 7

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Apparel EmbroidMe of Nashua (603) 879-9998; embroidme-nashua.com

Djinn Spirits (603) 262-1812; djinnspirits.com

Attractions Anheuser-Busch, Inc. (603) 595-1202 budweisertours.com/locations/merrimack-newhampshire.html New Hampshire Fisher Cats (603) 606-4177; nhfishercats.com Automotive Dealerships & Service Gate City Collision (603) 493-9472; gatecitycollision.com b Banking Institutions Digital Federal Credit Union (603) 424-8345; dcu.org Franklin Savings Bank (603) 934-4445; fsbnh.bank Northeast Credit Union necu.org People’s United Bank (603) 883-8557; peoples.com TD Bank (603) 440-6106; tdbanknorth.com Triangle Credit Union trianglecu.org

28 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

Brewing Companies Able Ebenezer Brewing Company (603) 490-1716; ableebenezer.com

Animal Welfare Agency Humane Society for Greater Nashua (603) 889-2275 ext. 27; hsfn.org

603.888.1982 WorldAcademyNH.com

Baseball New Hampshire Fisher Cats (603) 606-4177; nhfishercats.com

Building Supplies Elegance in Stone (603) 424-4249; eleganceinstone.com Merrimack Building Supply (603) 424-7001; merrimackbuildingsupply.com Modular Flooring Solutions (603) 505-8225; modularfloors.net c Careers Opportunity Networks (603) 883-4402; opportunitynetworks.org Childcare Centers YMCA of Greater Nashua (603) 598-1533; nmymca.org Chiropractors Family Chiropractic of Merrimack and Wellness Center LLC (603) 262-9200; healthymerrimack.com Cleaning and Janitorial Wendi’s Cleaning Service 603-673-4266; wcs-cleaning.com/ Coaching Services Pathways Navigation (978) 263-7614

Contractors Patterson Construction, Inc. (603) 424-4731; patterson-nh.com d Dentists Dental Designs of New England (603) 429-2199; dentaldesignsofnewengland.com Merrimack Dental Associates (603) 424-6131; merrimackdental.com

Dine NH... Common Man Merrimack

Diagnostic Imaging Derry Imaging Center (603) 537-1311; derrymedicalservices.com e Education - Public & Private Schools Merrimack High School (603) 424-6200; merrimack.k12.nh.us/Merrimack High.cfm Electricity - Energy Consulting Eversource (800) 662-7764; eversource.com/Content Embroidery or Silk Screening EmbroidMe of Nashua (603) 879-9998; embroidme-nashua.com Environmental Services Nashua Regional Planning Commission (603) 424-2240 ext. 28; nashuarpc.org/about

Lunch & Dinner Daily • Bar’n Grill • Events & Catering Menus, directions, gift cards and Company Store at theCman.com 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, NH . (603) 429-DINE . 3 miles north of Merrimack Premium Outlets

f Financial Service Providers Cummings Financial, LLC (603) 424-7100; cummingsfinancialnh.com Digital Federal Credit Union (603) 424-8345; dcu.org Edward Jones- Perry Radford (603) 429-3833; edwardjones.com/perry-radford Fidelity Investments (603) 791-8412; fidelity.com Fitness 9Round Merrimack 603-420-8145; 9round.com/fitness/MerrimackNH-x2832 YMCA of Greater Nashua (603) 598-1533; nmymca.org Florists Merrimack Flower Shop & Greenhouse (603) 424-3145; merrimackflowershop.com g Golf Courses Sky Meadow Country Club (603) 888-9000; skymeadow.com h Hauling JDog Junk Removal & Hauling (603) 377-6534; jdogjunkremoval.com Health Insurance Northeast Delta Dental (800) 537-1715; nedelta.com w w w. me rri mac k c h amber.org 2 9

Your Hometown Specialist Helping you find a place to call home!

Home Care Agencies Home Health & Hospice Care (603) 882-2941; hhhc.org Hotels/Inns & Hospitality Courtyard by Marriott Nashua (603) 880-9100 marriott.com/hotels/travel/mhtnc-courtyard-nashua/

Joey Lee Howe, REALTOR email: joeylee.howe@verani.com website:

Hampton Inn Bedford (603) 623-2040 ext. 453 hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index. jhtml?ctyhocn=MHTBF

joeyleehowe.verani.com cell:

603-582-6900

Holiday Inn Express & Suites (603) 429-3600; hiexpress.com/merrimacknh

office:

603-434-2377

Residences at Daniel Webster (603) 424-8100; residencesatdanielwebster.com i

Open for Lunch & Dinner

ICE CREAM Hayward’s Ice Cream haywardsicecream.com

Voted BEST SEAFOOD in the area for 26 years!

Voted Best Lobster Roll in N.H. (New Hampshire Magazine)

603-424-5221

Voted Best Seafood & Friendliest Waitstaff (Nashua Telegraph)

www.lobsterboatrestaurant.com

453 Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack, NH

(Exit 11 off Rt. 3, only 1 Exit noRth of PREmium outlEt mall of mERRimack)

800-887-5973 603-882-2941

INDUSTRIAL COMMISSIONING Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc. (603) 227-5200; boyleenergy.com Insurance Advantage Insurance (603) 262-3300; abinh.com Northeast Delta Dental (800) 537-1715; nedelta.com j Junk Removal JDog Junk Removal & Hauling (603) 377-6534; jdogjunkremoval.com l Legal Services Joseph E. Mitchell, Attorney at Law (603) 424-7370 m Manufacturers BAE Systems (603) 885-7941; baesystems.com

The Community Hospice House Merrimack, NH

Bringing Exceptional Healthcare Home Your trusted local expert and employer of choice We have openings for RNs, LNAs, Physical Therapists, and more!

Visit us at www.hhhc.org 30 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

Marketing & Graphic Design StoreyManseau LLC storeymanseau.com Media Organizations Telegraph Publishing Company (603) 594-1204; nashuatelegraph.com Medical Facilities & Physicians ConvenientMD (603) 471-6069 convenientmd.com/locations/merrimack-nh-urgentcare-0305 Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic (603) 424-4713; dartmouth-hitchcock.org Southern NH Medical Center (603) 577-2000; snhmc.org St. Joseph Hospital (603) 882-3000 ext. 63208; stjosephhospital.com

Moving And Storage College Bound Movers / MI-BOX Southern New Hampshire getmibox.com/locations/new_england Municipal Organizations Merrimack Police Department (603) 424-3774; merrimacknh.gov/police-department Merrimack Public Library (603) 424-5021; merrimacklibrary.org Town of Merrimack (603) 424-2331; merrimacknh.gov n Nonprofits Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity (603) 883-0295; nashuahabitat.org Home Health & Hospice Care (603) 882-2941; hhhc.org Rotary of Merrimack portal.clubrunner.ca/2943 St. Joseph Community Services, Inc. (603) 424-9967; mealsonwheelsnh.org United Way of Greater Nashua (603) 864-0202; unitedwaynashua.org YMCA of Greater Nashua (603) 598-1533; nmymca.org o Oil Petro Home Services (603) 812-9549; petro.com p Photography Long Hill Photography (603) 801-7473; longhillphoto.com POWER TOOLS Stihl stihlusa.com Printing Services The Copy Shop (603) 882-9111; thecopyshop.com Promotional Products EmbroidMe of Nashua (603) 879-9998; embroidme-nashua.com Publishing and Media McLean Communications, Inc. (603) 413-5154; mcleancommunications.com r Real Estate - Agents & Brokers Joey Lee Howe, REALTORÂŽ (603) 582-6900; joeyleehowe.verani.com Richard Jean (603) 204-8630; centralrealtynh.com Real Estate/HOUSING Gilbert Crossing Apartments (603) 262-3344; gilbertcrossing.com

ONLY AT THE YMCA

There’s a unique combination at your Y. Little ones build skills and self-esteem. Adults connect while strengthening body and mind. The Y offers everything from weights and equipment to kids programs that nurture potential through learning and play.

At the Y, your membership means more!

YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA:

JOIN TODAY!

www.nmymca.org

Merrimack Branch 603.881.7778 Nashua Branch 603.882.2011 Westwood Park Branch 603.402.2258

w w w. me rri mac k c h amber.org 3 1

Banana, Cherry, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, Vanilla and more!

BITE ME KUPCAKEZ IS A GLUTEN, DAIRY AND NUT FREE BAKERY AND CAFE. JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, TUESDAY — SATURDAY.

Real Estate - title closing agents STS Commercial Closing Services, LLC (603) 867-7617; stscorp.com Restaurants Buckley’s Great Steaks, Inc. (603) 424-0995; buckleysgreatsteaks.com Hayward’s Ice Cream haywardsicecream.com

WE’VE BEEN BAKING UP DELICIOUS GOODIES SINCE 2011.

Lobster Boat GFM Corporation (603) 424-5221; lobsterboatrestaurant.com

4 MOUND COURT MERRIMACK, NH 03054 CALL US: 603-674-4459 WWW.BITEMEKUPCAKEZ.COM

The Common Man (603) 429-3463 thecman.com/restaurants/common-man-merrimack/

TUESDAY - FRIDAY 9:30AM-5:00PM SATURDAY 8:30-5:00PM

Retail - Storefront

54 Fax: (603) 424-80

70 Tel: (603) 424-73

Lindt Chocolate (603) 778-4138; lindtusa.com s Security - Home/Office

Joseph e. MiTchell aTTorney aT law

One Source Security & Automation, Inc. (603) 645-5969; onesourcesecurity.com

604 D.w. highway po Box 446 4 ck, nh 0305 iMa Merr

law oFFice oF p.c.

Joseph e. MiTchell law counselor aT

il.com

email:nhlaw81@gma

t Telecommunications Comcast Business Services (603) 327-4743; business.comcast.com Consolidated Communications (603) 656-1567; consolidated.com Trash Disposal JDog Junk Removal & Hauling (603) 377-6534; jdogjunkremoval.com Travel and Tourism Eagle Eye Travel (603) 424-6332; eagleeyetravel.net Mickey Guru Travel Company (603) 494-3602; mickeyguru.com u Utility Service Liberty Utilities (603) 391-5898; libertyutilities.com Petro Home Services (603) 812-9549; petro.com utility and chemical facility construction

We Deliver Quality Building Products

Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc. (603) 227-5200; boyleenergy.com

Merrimack Building Supply , Inc. is a leading distributor of commercial and residential building products. Established in 1985, Merrimack has maintained an impeccable reputation by providing our customers with top quality products and services. > Acoustical Ceilings

> Exterior Finishes

> Drywall

> Plaster / Compounds

> Insulation

> Division 10

> Barricade Walls

> Steel Framing

> Tools

> Lumber / Fire Treated

> Architectural Doors, Frames, and Hardware

NH: 603.424.7001

MA: 508.533. 6905

32 merrimack mag a zi ne • 2019

www.merrimackbuildingsupply.com

W web services/web design ThingaMaWebs Web and Media Solutions (978) 399-4474; thingamawebs.com y Youth Development Opportunity Networks (603) 883-4402; opportunitynetworks.org

THE WAY TO CARE FOR GREATER NASHUA STARTS AT DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK

2300 Southwood Drive, Nashua, N.H.

From primary to specialty care, Dartmouth-Hitchcock knows having a compassionate health care team nearby is important. With locations across northern New England, you can find doctors you trust with all your family’s needs. Healthy starts here, and it starts now at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

Find your provider at www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/findaprovider

More locations than any other health care provider in New Hampshire