NAshua, NH: A Horror Story!

When I lived north of Boston - I used to go to Nashua to buy more high priced items to save on the taxes. Besides that there really isn't anything nice about it.

The way I look at it, the savings in gas and time more than compensate for the 5% tax.

There is also the problem of servicing major appliances purchased out of state.

Not major appliances - anything expensive, but still able to carry easily in a car - for example we once picked up an end table from Jordan's. This was several years ago before gas prices increased and I lived close to Nashua. Now I wouldn't make the extra trip - I live too far.

I couldn't find the LLBean outlet store because it had moved across town. I went into a store in the mall where it had been in 2002 -- David's Bridal -- which seems to cater to giantesses.

I thought of that old puzzle: what if all life ended immediately and an explorer from another planet came here in so lapse of time. HEre are these large buildings, arranged in squares or lines that face parking lots, filled with merchandise. Would explorers from the future see these buildings as emporia or temples?

Shoulda gone to the Mall in Salem, NH off exit 1 on 93 (Rockingham MALL)

I generally try to avoid malls.

I'll bet you love Bostons Back Bay!

Oh, I like Newberry Street, which struggles not to be an outdoor mall. However, I understand that even the big chains there are losing money and keep their stores open largely for the advertisement value.

I do like Charles Street, which is mostly antique stores. When the tension builds, I go to look at antiques and think, if you survived, so can I.

Harvard Square is just about not worth visiting any longer. The unique clothing stores are almost gone. the restaurants are okay, but, most of the book stores have disappeared. It's sad.

Oh, I like Newberry Street, which struggles not to be an outdoor mall. However, I understand that even the big chains there are losing money and keep their stores open largely for the advertisement value.

I do like Charles Street, which is mostly antique stores. When the tension builds, I go to look at antiques and think, if you survived, so can I.

Harvard Square is just about not worth visiting any longer. The unique clothing stores are almost gone. the restaurants are okay, but, most of the book stores have disappeared. It's sad.

ANother reaction to the death of small business in the US:

Date Posted: 07/25/2006 10:02 AM


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Although I think I am the only resident of MA here, this is a good thread for a requiem.

Once upon a time, capitalism meant something. It no longer does as it has run amok. Big chains are everywhere while consumer choice and business initiative are going the way of the dinosaur.

At one time, Harvard Square was a fun place to shop and people watch. There were independent boutiques where a woman could buy clothes that had panache and so many bookstores that there was a pamphlet describing them. Food wasn't the Squares strong suit but the vendors were independent and it, too, was unique. No longer. The little merchants are gone and there are perhaps only three of four booksellers and huge chains dominate and you can order the same pizza you can in Chicago, which, to my way fo thinking, isn't a good thing.

People who loved HS went on to Davis Square in neighboring Somerville where there is a top notch music club that features folk, blues, alternative rock, salsa dancing on Sunday night and a single woman can enjoy the music and feel safe. There's an IRish pub with Sunday sessions and great food. An independently owned second run theatre hosts live music acts that are not stadium ready and a second hand shop offers great clothes for people on my budget. There's real shop made ice cream. An Italian grocer. There is also the Someday CAfe, a coffee house furnished with cast off couches and chairs and tatty carpet where the espresso is honest and the tea is organic.

The effect of this cafe is such that when the inevitable Starbucks came in, they came in a big square room with couches and chairs and tiny tables and a gas fireplace. I have always boycotted this Starbucks and bought my beverages at the homely Someday. It has been there for 13 years, and, I have to confess, that it took me three or four years to work up the courage to enter this den of youthful hippness with my grey hair!

The doors of the Someday are slated to close next month as it becomes a creperie. I like crepes. I applaud small businessmen like the owner of the crepe shop. However, I like having a Starbucks alternative.