How are things going with the Historic Shoppes of Downtown Manchester?
I think they’re going really well. We have approximately 12 to 13 merchants that meet on a weekly basis. We’re working on the Holiday Shop Hop, which is part fundraiser for an area nonprofit, by donating two non-perishable food products for the New Hampshire Food Bank. Every participating store will be offering a 10-percent discount or some kid of promotion if people donate two non-perishable items. [The event takes place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and precedes the Spirit of the Season Holiday Parade.] We’re trying to make events for the whole family. You can do your holiday shopping, sample some products and then stay for the parade. What are the other downtown merchants saying about the holiday season? I think everybody is staying really positive. I don’t see a lot of negativity. I think people would rather go to the mom-and-pops rather than the big chains. Why should people head downtown to shop rather than driving over to a mall? I think it’s the service. You don’t ge
