Wolfeboro's Origin Dates it as the Oldest Summer Resort in the United States.
Today's Business Owners Help Maintain Wolfeboro's Long-Lived Popularity.
Wolfeboro's Main Street is one of the most picturesque streets in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Many of the local businesses and restaurants enjoy stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Restaurants such as Garwoods and Jo Greens allow diners to enjoy the views and take in the ambiance and historic architecture. (The photo to the right was taken outside of Garwoods in November 2015. It was a surprisingly warm day with 75 degree weather and a calm lakes at Garwoods and all across Winnipesaukee!).
Tucked along Wolfeboro's side streets are many other charming commercial properties, including boutique cafes and specialty shops. Some of the cache of living on roads such as Sewall Road, Forest Road, and Main Street is the proximity to the quaint downtown amenities Wolfeboro offers.
The below interviews serve as an introduction to some of the local business owners in Wolfeboro NH . While they all come from different backgrounds, there is a common thread to their stories - what brought them to New Hampshire's Lakes Region and how their day to day experience has redefined their expectations of life on Lake Winnipesaukee. Learn more about these local owners and their businesses below. When you are are strolling through Wolfeboro, stop by and meet them for yourselves!
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Beveridge Beer and Soap Shop - Lisa Beveridge
51 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH
This shop specializes in selling craft beers from the New England area. There is also a small taproom with five to six craft beers on tap and a menu that features PB&J and PB&Fluff. Lisa also makes homemade soap, several of which are made with beer!
How long have you been in business?
Two and a half years
How long have you lived in the Lakes Region?
13 years
Are you originally from here? What brought you the Lakes Region?
It's beautiful. My husband's grandparents lived up here and we wanted to get out of the city. You come to visit a summer home and you kind of get attached.
What was the driving force behind starting your business?
I wanted to do something for myself, have my own shop.
Do you have a business philosophy.
Drink good beer.
What separates you from other similar businesses in the area?
There aren't any similar businesses right now, so I am pretty unique to this area.
What would you like potential customers to know? Anything new for the future?
There are always new things going on, new events. Winter and Summer beer fest are happening. New beers are coming in every week. Our soap line is expanding.
What do you like to do in your time off?
Work (laughs). I don't have a lot of time off.
What are the top three reasons why people should visit the Lakes Region?
- Peace and quiet
- Really nice small businesses, especially in Wolfeboro. Cool businesses throughout the Lakes Region, great restaurants, and new shops are opening up.
- Come see me!
Find out more about Beveridge Craft Beer and Soap Co.
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Sabol's Art Studio - Gregory W. Sabol, Owner and Artist
76 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH
How long have you been in business?
We have been here for six months. We bought the old building, tore it down and built this one.
Where do you live in the Lakes Region?
We live in Effingham on Province Lake.
What drew you to the Lakes Region if you weren't originally from here?
I'm from the area.
What was the driving force behind starting your business?
I had studied art at the University of New Hampshire and sat in on classes at the Art Institute on Commonwealth Ave in Boston, where my brother was studying. I had owned my own businesses for thirty years and then my wife, Alice, (of seven years now) saw my art and encouraged me to get back into it. I am glad she did. We sold the business and built the studio.
What would you like potential customers to know?
My art is here to enjoy. Each one tells a story, but it is here for everyone to enjoy.
What do you like to do in your time off?
My wife and I enjoy history and traveling. We have done mission work in Honduras and Haiti. I have traveled to Russia and Israel. I belong to the Rotary and we believe in giving back.
What are your top reasons why someone should vacation in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire?
- It is a bubbly place. You can meet people from all walks of life. I have met people from Russia, England, and more. You can sit outside at a coffee shop and talk to great people.
- The art community here is expanding; more art studios are opening in Wolfeboro; more art events like Art Walk and Paint Wolfeboro are happening than ever before.
- The lakes and you are close to the mountain and to the ocean.
Find out more about Gregory Sabol and Sabol's Art Studio.
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From Scratch Bakery - Katie Johnson, Owner
36 Center Street, Wolfeboro Falls, NH
From Scratch Bakery is a small town bakery run by Local, Katie Johnson, who uses high quality and fresh ingredients. This bakery offers employment to folks with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Her sister, Kristen, who has Down Syndrome, works at the bakery.
How long have you been in business?
We opened on June 1, 2015.
How long have you lived in the Lakes Region?
All my life! I grew up in Wolfeboro and graduated from Kingwood. I did go away for awhile (chuckles), but I came back. (Katie attended the University of Rhode Island and received a BS in elementary education. She later attended Johnson and Wales for baking and pastries.)
What is the driving force behind starting your business?
The bakery allows me to combine my creativity along with my love of helping people. People with disabilities may face a unique set of challenges, but they also have incredible talents and skills to offer. There aren't a lot of employment opportunities for them in the community.
What is your business philosophy?
A workplace where employees can use their individual strengths, get help when they need it and don't have keep to a breakneck pace. A worker of any ability level would like that.
What would you like potential customers to know? Is there going to be a new product for your business in 2016?
Wedding cakes! We do wedding cakes.
What do you like to do in your time off?
(laughs) I have no free time. I am heading up to Kingswood today for career day. There is always something to do.
Top three reason to vacation in the Lakes Region?
- It is beautiful and a great place to be outside
- The people are friendly
- The skiing
Learn more about Katie and From Scratch Baking Co.
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Country Bookseller - Karen Baker, Owner
23 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH
How long have you been in business?
It will be 22 years on July 1st.
How long have you lived in the Lakes Region?
22 years; I moved here to open the shop.
What drew you to the Lakes Region, if you weren't originally from here?
I wanted to open a book store, so I crisscrossed the state looking for a small community that could support a bookstore. I fell in love with Wolfeboro. I am originally from Upstate New York but spent time in California and was living in Connecticut when I decided to open the business!
What was the driving force behind starting your business?
I was an English major working in the corporate world and I was not happy. I went to a seminar and they asked us to write what would be on your tombstone and I thought only, here lies Karen. Then they asked what we wanted to be written and I knew I wanted more. A friend gave me the book, Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow, so that's when I decided to open my own business.
What is your business philosophy?
Books are like food for the brain. If you help someone learn to enjoy reading, you give them the world.
What would you like potential customers to know?
We are here seven days a week and we serve locally roasted coffee and locally baked pastries. We are always willing to do special orders.
What do you like to do in your time off?
I love to read and spend time with friends. I love going out to eat and, of course, I love to read.
Top reasons why someone should vacation in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire?
- A great bookstore
- Fresh air and fabulous outside activities.Friendly people. It's a throwback in time, to a gentler, slower paced lifestyle.
Find out more about The Country Bookseller.
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There are currently 126 properties, including residential homes, mobile homes, and condo listings in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The average listing price is $913,648. The median listing price is $378,500.
Interested in living in Wolfeboro? Feel free to search Wolfeboro waterfront homes, Wolfeboro single family homes, and land for sale in Wolfeboro.
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