2008 Resource Guide

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Concord is more than a state capital; as insiders and residents know, it is also a thriving cultural center and fast becoming a shopping hub for central New Hampshire. Perfectly accessible in the center of the state, Concord offers a plethora of options for those looking for a home goods shopping experience. I took a friend (always the best way to shop), and we made an afternoon of exploring the city’s many offerings—plus we found a few great places to stay and dine along the way.

Bartlett's Design  An elegant building on Main Street is home to interior designer Susan Bartlett’s successful venture into retail. An elegant mix of richly upholstered furnishings and both classic and unique accents, the multi-room showroom is laid out in a series of staged vignettes set in a home-like environment with a library of fabrics to peruse in the backroom. Catching my eye were the bold mirror above the fireplace and the contemporary table lamps, which set off the classic and transitional style furniture beautifully.

Interior Additions  Simon Pearce, and lots of it, is the primary reason to visit this little shop across from the capital and its winking golden dome. The shop has one of the larger selections of the glassmaker I’ve seen outside an official showroom. I also liked their selection of cotton rugs from Dash & Albert; several of these colorful striped rugs would be perfect for that spot on the floor in front of the kitchen sink.

Pompanoosuc Mills I’ve always liked the quality of the items from Pompanoosuc Mills furniture, but I also enjoy visiting the Concord showroom of this Vermont furniture maker for the comfortable atmosphere and the number of home items for sale that aren’t just furniture; they offer some very reasonably priced bedding in contemporary designs that compliment the mill’s famously clean lines and tongue-n-groove craftsmanship.

Bread & Chocolate  Across from Bartlett Design, this little bakery feels like a British tea room. The smell of chocolate that greets you when you walk in is nearly overwhelming to the hungry shopper. This creamy swan was almost too cute to eat—but we managed.

Company C  Located a little off the beaten track, the Company C headquarters is a warehouse-sized store full of colorful and contemporary design focusing on rugs, bedding and pillows. Their area rugs are notable not only for their fresh originality, but also for the company’s stand on not using child labor in their creation through a certified program called Rugmark. Rug pricing was average, but I was really drawn to their plush softness—most wool rugs feel scratchy to the touch, but I found several wool styles that were much softer than the average bear. Before you leave, check out the back corner for great deals on markdowns.

The Viking  This little shop, also on Main Street, is a surprising find and well worth a visit. New owner Jena Wise describes the Viking as a general gift shop, but if you can find your way past the gigantic selection of Vera Bradley handbags to the back of the shop you’ll find an unexpectedly fine offering of dishware. The shop’s focus is Scandinavian and western European brands. I found some rich blue English Spode, as well as a few other lines I was not familiar with before but am now, including iittala Finnish glassware and Orrefors Swedish crystal, the latter of which some consider to be amongst the finest in the world.

Staying over in Concord? The Centennial is a Victorian-era hotel brought into the 21st century with contemporary style. Modern in muted grays and whites, the Granite Restaurant, where we stopped for lunch, offers an updated selection of American fare at reasonable prices.