2014 BOB Award Winners
The seventh annual NHBR readers' poll of the best B-to-B companies in the Granite State.
We at New Hampshire Business Review are delighted to welcome you to the results of our seventh annual BOB Awards, which honor the Best of Business in New Hampshire for 2014. The mission of the BOB Awards is to find the Granite State’s most stand-out businesses: the ones that offer the best customer service, that pay attention to details, that are willing to go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional customer experience. In other words, BOB-winning businesses offer nothing less than outstanding products and services. Since BOB voters are other businesspeople, being named a BOB business really says something about the high caliber of the winners. But the BOB Awards truly celebrate all businesses in New Hampshire; a place that nurtures the Best of Business every day.
Best Advertising Agency: Millennium Integrated Marketing
Best Digital Media Agency: Millennium Integrated Marketing
150 Dow Street, Manchester
603-792-2200
www.mill-im.com
With offices in Manchester and Boston, Millennium Integrated Marketing is a full-service strategic advertising and public relations agency, offering market research, corporate branding, creative design, interactive technology, search engine optimization, and more for clients across all industries. All of its work is completed in house, and as such is structured to provide the highest level of client service with expedient turnaround.
Best Public Relations Agency: GY&K Marketing
121 River Front Drive, Manchester
603-625-5713
www.gykmarketing.com
GY&K is a full-service, mid-size and independent marketing innovation company that’s headquartered in Manchester with additional offices in Boston, Mass. and Los Angeles, Calif. Its integrated team works synergistically in the areas of strategy & planning, branding & design, editorial services, digital, earned message planning & placement/public relations, social media relations, paid media planning & buying, experiential, multimedia, and data & analytics. GY&K Antler is its social, experiential and interactive boutique, and its in-house Emmy Award-winning video production team – Big Brick Productions – produces commercials, documentaries, music videos and more.
Best Video Production Company: Granite River Studios
10 Tinker Avenue, Unit E,
Londonderry
603-568-7623
www.graniteriverstudios.com
A forward-thinking video production company offering a range of turnkey and a la carte services to its clients — from concept and scriptwriting to shooting, editing, and duplication. Its award-winning team specializes in the art of emotional story telling, using a combination of the spoken word, lighting, imagery, color, and most of all, music. Granite River strives to develop strong relationships with its clients, and through this synergy creates powerful film and video productions that have real and lasting impact on the minds of viewers.
Best Accounting Firm: Howe, Riley & Howe, CPA
660 Chestnut Street, Manchester
603-627-3838
www.hrhcpa.com
For more than 50 years, Howe Riley & Howe has offered tax, audit and litigation support and accounting consulting services through the use of the most up-to-date technologies. Whether a for-profit company or a charitable organization, Howe Riley & Howe has experienced staff to assist with your accounting needs.
Best Architectural Firm: Lavallee Brensinger Architects
155 Dow Street, Suite 400, Manchester
603-622-5450
www.lbpa.com
The architecture firm Lavallee Brensinger has nearly 40 years of innovative design experience. Collectively its staff has designed more than $3 billion dollars of new construction and renovation projects across a wide spectrum of market sectors, including health care, laboratory, education, corporate office, athletic, and civic projects. Its success comes from its unwavering commitment to client service and an endless pursuit of creative solutions and quality work.
Best Engineering Firm: TFMoran Inc.
48 Constitution Drive, Bedford
603-472-4488
www.tfmoran.com
TFMoran Inc. is a regionally recognized land planning, civil engineering and
landscape architectural firm that has provided continuous service to private and public clients since 1968. Committed to responsible, sustainable development, TFMoran is a leader in green technology and claims many of the region’s “firsts,” including the first commercial use of porous pavement, the first green roof, the first commercial use of bio-retention, the first commercial use of grass-pavers and xeriscape plantings, among many others.
Best General Contractor: Harvey Construction
10 Harvey Road, Bedford
603-624-4600
www.harveyconstruction.com
Harvey Construction has built a solid reputation based upon trust, technical competence and the determination to serve clients with ingenuity and speed. Its expertise in the construction of sophisticated facilities includes educational facilities, hospitals, government buildings, office buildings and other structures.
Best Mechanical Contractor: Granite State Plumbing & Heating
10 N. Riverdale Road, Weare
603-529-3322
www.granitestateplumbingandheating.com
Granite State Plumbing & Heating Inc. has been providing HVAC and mechanical systems installation and service since 1983. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Comfort Systems USA, Granite State Plumbing and Heating focuses on the mid-market commercial industrial and institutional sectors, while caring for customers, employees and the environment.
Best Electrical Contractor: Longchamps Electric Inc.
700 Harvey Road, Manchester
603-625-5954
www.longchampselectric.com
Longchamps Electric Inc., now one of the largest electrical and communications systems contractors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, was founded more than 30 years ago by master electrician Robert O. Longchamps. Longchamps is a full-service electrical contractor capable of handling projects of all sizes and scope. The firm also provides design-build services as well as project fast-tracking, on-call services, telecommunications and back-up generator installation.
Best Cell Phone Provider: Verizon Wireless
Locations throughout New Hampshire
140 West Street, New York, NY
800-837-4966
www.verizonwireless.com
Verizon Wireless has the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network as well as coverage in more than 200 countries. With a variety of plans tailored to businesses, Verizon Wireless can keep your company connected to customers down the street or across the country. In the past several years, Verizon has expanded its “lightning-fast” 4G LTE network into many New Hampshire towns and cities.
Best Telecommunications Provider: Comcast
One Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA
800-COMCAST
http://www.comcast.com
Comcast Corp. is one of the nation's leading providers of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, with 21.7 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers. Backed by industry-leading, 24/7 business-class support, Comcast provides advanced communication solutions to small and mid-sized organizations to help them meet their business needs through its Comcast Business Services.
Best Corporate Moving Company: Ray the Mover
1 Allard Drive, Manchester
603-669-7170
www.raythemover.net
Established in 1937 by Raymond Allard, Ray The Mover is a third-generation family-owned and -operated business. As a premium service mover, it utilizes a large fleet of modern vans and equipment, palletized warehousing and carefully selected van crews. The company has a network of over 300 destination agents throughout the United States to assist corporate clients. Additionally, Ray The Mover is one of the top-rated military carriers in New England, serving military personnel who are being relocated throughout the country.
Best Courier and Delivery Service: Granite State Shuttle Service
760 Central Avenue, Dover
800-633-9222
www.granitestateshuttle.com
Established in 1987 with two couriers and two vehicles, Granite State Shuttle Service has grown to over 150 vehicles, ranging from small sedans to larger cube trucks, and over 150 employees who strive to ensure its customers are professionally served. It provides pickup and delivery service to virtually all of New England on a daily basis, covering the entire state of New Hampshire, the Interstate 95 corridor from Kittery to Portland, Maine, along with areas of Vermont and Massachusetts.
Best Commercial Real Estate Broker: Keller Williams Realty
Offices throughout New Hampshire
512-327-3070
www.kw.com
Based in Austin, Texas, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest residential real estate company in the United States by agent count, with eight offices in New Hampshire in Bedford, Concord, Dover, Keene, Londonderry, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Wolfeboro. Its commercial real estate arm, KW Commercial, delivers industry-leading education, top-of-the-line technology and unparalleled support to its agents and brokers, helping them to make your commercial transaction swift, efficient, and most importantly, profitable.
Best Waste Removal Company: Waste Management Inc.
Offices in Londonderry, New Hampton, North Swanzey and Rochester
1001 Fannin, Suite 4000, Houston, TX
800-847-5303
www.wastemanagement.com
Waste Management provides solid waste collection services as well as transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services to New Hampshire and across the country. Waste Management also is a leader in waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy practices in the United States.
Best Waste Removal Company (Local): Pinard Waste Systems
32 W. River Road, Hooksett
603-623-6937
www.pinardwaste.com
New Hampshire-based Pinard Waste Systems is the largest privately owned waste-handling company in the state. Headquartered in Hooksett, it is known for its customer service and proactive approach in fostering environmentally sound practices.
Best Executive Search Firm: KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-792-2345
www.kbwfinancial.com
KBW is the leading provider of finance and accounting staffing services for companies and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, specializing in permanent, temporary and temporary-to-hire services. Since it was founded in 2005, KBW has grown rapidly throughout the region, being named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies for the past five consecutive years.
Best Staffing Service: The Nagler Group
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-637-1492
www.naglergroup.com
The Nagler Group is a leading staffing firm focusing on administrative and human resource recruiting for employers and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It offers a full suite of temporary and direct-hire staffing services with a dedicated staff focusing exclusively on the local community.
Best Art Gallery for Corporate Art: McGowan Fine Art
10 Hills Avenue, Concord
603-225-2515
www.mcgowanfineart.com
McGowan Fine Art has been serving the art needs of northern New England for nearly 35 years, offering a distinctive selection of New England artists, both emerging and established, in a variety of mediums, styles and price ranges. It offers something for everyone, from the first-time buyer to the experienced collector.
Best Barber Shop for Men: Lucky's Barbershop & Shave Parlor
50 S. State Street, Concord
603-715-5470
www.luckysbarbershop.biz
No “stylists,” no “salon,” this is a real traditional barbershop, just like the one your daddy went to – only better. Reconditioned antique barber chairs housed in a renovated tin-ceilinged shop, you can get a haircut and shave for a bit more, but not much, than two bits. And yes, it has the blue-and-red striped barber’s pole outside.
Best Styling Salon for Women: Not So Plain Jane's Salon & Spa
155 Dow Street, Suite 102, Manchester
(603) 622-5971
www.notsoplainjanes.com
Not So Plain Jane’s is located a beautifully renovated historical mill and offers state-of-the-art services for hair, skin, nails and body. All haircuts begin with a personal consultation and a cleansing massage, and are completed with a blow-dry style. Other treatments include customized body massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Special packages are also available.
Best Clothier for Men: George's Apparel
675 Elm Street, Manchester
603-622-5441
www.georgesapparel.com
This full-service men’s clothing store in Manchester has it all – from suits to ties, accessories and outerwear. All suits and sport coats come with free alterations for the entire life of the garment. A knowledgeable staff, professional fittings, a huge inventory and in-house alterations make shopping for a high-quality suit easy and painless.
Best Clothier for Women: Alapage
25 S. River Road, Suite 301, Bedford
603-622-0550
www.alapageboutique.com
Alapage, located at Bedford Square, has been offering the latest clothing designs as well as accessories, gifts and shoes since 1989. Its Jean Bar offers a wide range of styles, fit and lengths to fit almost any woman from designers such as 7 for All Mankind, True Religion, Christopher Blue and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans.
Best Private Golf Course: Manchester Country Club
180 S. River Road, Bedford
603-624-4096
www.manchestercountryclub.com
Originally designed by Donald Ross and built in 1923, the 18-hole course at Manchester Country Club plays an average of 6,348 yards with wide tree-lined fairways, small undulating greens and water hazards that will test novice and experienced golfers alike. MCC’s course has hosted several championship tournaments and has also been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best courses in the state.
Best Public Golf Course: Derryfield Country Club
625 Mammoth Road, Manchester
603-669-0235
www.derryfieldgolf.com
Derryfield Country Club is a 115.5-acre, 18-hole public golf course located in the heart of Manchester. Established in 1932, Derryfield is one of only three municipally owned golf courses in the state of New Hampshire. Located on the property at the Derryfield Country Club, you will find a fully stocked golf shop, as well as the Derryfield Restaurant & Lounge, a full-service restaurant and bar. The restaurant’s Deck, a popular nightspot during the summer, features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Best Hotel for Business Travel: Hilton Garden Inn, Manchester
101 S. Commercial Street, Manchester
603-669-2222
www.hiltongardeninn.com
Just minutes from the Manchester Airport, the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester overlooks the baseball stadium of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, is within walking distance of the Verizon Wireless Arena, and is just steps away from some of Manchester’s best restaurants. It offers amenity-filled guest rooms, including automated self check-in, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and a 24-hour business center with secure printing and an executive boardroom.
Best Sporting Event to Take Clients To: New Hampshire Fisher Cats
1 Line Drive, Manchester
603-641-2005
www.nhfishercats.com
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were founded in October 2003 as the AA Eastern League Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. In the first season, the Fisher Cats played at historic Gill Stadium, located on Manchester’s east side, and won the 2004 Eastern League Championship. The team moved to its current home in 2005 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, formerly Merchantsauto.com Stadium, in downtown Manchester on the banks of the Merrimack River. The ballpark, which seats 6,500 people, regularly hosts theme nights to support local nonprofits.
Best MBA Program: University of New Hampshire
105 Main Street, Durham
603-862-3000
www.gradschool.unh.edu
University of New Hampshire offers a full-time, fast-track MBA, an Executive MBA, as well as a flexible, part-time MBA (with classes offered on the Manchester and Durham campuses and online), which lets working professionals earn their degrees at their own pace in as little as 20 months or as long as six years. Instituted in 1996, the part-time MBA is the university's most popular MBA offering, and was recognized in 2012 as one of the best of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Its full-time MBA program boasted a 95 percent job placement rate in 2012.
Best Online Degree Program: Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Manchester
800-668-1249
www.snhu.edu
Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 180 accredited online programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Programs are designed to be flexible, fitting in with students’ schedules and budgets, while maintaining the school’s tradition of academic excellence.
Best Local Bank for Small Business: Bank of New Hampshire
Locations throughout New Hampshire
62 Pleasant Street, Laconia
603-524-1212
www.banknh.com
Formerly Laconia Savings Bank, Bank of New Hampshire changed its name in 2012 to better reflect its statewide focus. It is New Hampshire's largest independent bank and, since its inception in 1831, has grown to 21 offices statewide with more than $1 billion in assets. Because the bank is a mutual organization, it doesn't answer to stockholders and can focus on the success of its customers, communities and employees.
Best Regional Bank for Small Business: TD Bank
Best Regional Commercial Lender: TD Bank
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1701 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, N.J.
888-751-9000
www.tdbank.com
One of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., TD Bank offers a broad array of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services to nearly eight million customers through its extensive network of 1,300 convenient locations. TD provides business solutions to companies of all sizes. Its small business banking division offers hassle-free accounts and personalized services, as well as a dedicated small business representative with every account. Its commercial banking division offers treasury management services, loans and lines of credit, leasing and equipment finance, and more.
Best Local Commercial Lender: Centrix Bank
Locations throughout Southern New Hampshire
1 Atwood Lane, Bedford
603-647-4446
www.centrixbank.com
Centrix Bank has been serving small businesses in New Hampshire since 1998. Today, it has more than $907.7 million in total assets as of December 2013. A state-chartered, FDIC-insured bank, Centrix has the diversity and experience necessary to serve its business banking customers. Centrix is headquartered in Bedford, and has full-service branches in Concord, Dover, Manchester, Milford and Portsmouth, with a loan production office in Nashua.
Best Credit Union: St. Mary's Bank
200 McGregor Street, Manchester
603-669-4600
www.stmarysbank.com
Founded in 1908 as the nation’s first credit union, St. Mary’s Bank has been offering an alternative to traditional banks ever since. As a credit union, Street Mary’s members own the institution, meaning decisions are made based on the best interests of the members. St. Mary’s offers a diverse array of financial products for businesses, including checking and savings accounts, commercial loans and SBA financing.
Best Investment Firm: Fidelity Investments
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1 Spartan Way, Merrimack
603-791-5000
www.fidelity.com
Fidelity Investments is one of the world’s largest providers of financial services, with assets under administration of $4.6 trillion, including managed assets of $1.9 trillion. Founded in 1946, the firm is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial intermediary firms.
Best Florist: Chalifour's Flowers, Gift & Gourmet
46 Elm Street, Manchester
603-623-8844
www.chalifours.com
Whether it be a magnificent vase arrangement of roses for someone special in your life, birthday flowers or a heartfelt note of appreciation to business clients, you can rely on Chalifour’s decades of experience in bringing the very best that flowers can offer. Since 1940, Chalifour’s has expertly arranged, packed and hand-delivered flowers, plant and gourmet gift baskets to your destination.
Best Corporate Event Caterer: Tidewater Catering Group
250 Commercial Street, Suite 2021, Manchester
603-668-6111
www.tidewatercatering.com
Tidewater Catering Group is a full-service, off-premise catering and event planning company located in Manchester’s historic Millyard. Tidewater can cater large corporate events or the most intimate affair, paying close attention to every detail of your event. Its team of experienced professionals works with you to accommodate and adapt to all your requests in food and service, ensuring that every detail of the function is perfectly executed.
Best Networking Event: Tri-City Expo
www.tricityexpo.com
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, 603-224-2508
www.concordnhchamber.com
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 603-666-6600
www.manchester-chamber.org
Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, 603-881-8333
www.nashuachamber.com
The Tri-City Expo, an annual collaboration between the Manchester, Concord and Nashua Chambers of Commerce, features more than 200 exhibitors from all over the state, and welcomes more than 1,200 attendees.
Best Small Venue for Meetings and Events: Bedford Village Inn
2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford
603-472-2001
www.bedfordvillageinn.com
The perfect setting for your corporate meeting, dinner or retreat in New Hampshire, the Bedford Village Inn works with you to cater and customize every aspect of your corporate meetings, whether it's a simple breakfast gathering or a private dinner featuring wine tastings with its certified sommelier. Its Great Hall accommodates meetings and conferences up to 225 people, and its function spaces are equipped with high-speed Internet, audiovisual equipment, video conferencing capabilities and more.
Best Medium Venue for Meetings and Events: Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Avenue, Concord
603-225-0303
www.grapponeconferencecenter.com
With the largest ballroom and function space in the Concord area, the Grappone Conference Center is an ideal destination for your corporate event. All meeting rooms offer high-speed Internet access, individual lighting, sound, heat and air conditioning controls. Its dedicated team of event planners and culinary experts assist with every detail of your event, from technical audiovisual needs, complex floor plans to unlimited food and beverage possibilities. Its Granite Ballroom comfortable accommodates up to 500 guests.
Best Large Venue for Meetings and Events: Radisson Hotel Manchester
700 Elm Street, Manchester
603-625-1000
www.radisson.com
With its unbeatable downtown Manchester location and over 65,000 square feet of flexible, well-appointed meeting, banquet and exhibit space, the Radisson Hotel Manchester/Center of New Hampshire hosts many of the state’s largest networking events and meetings. It has the capacity for up to 2,500 people to gather, with indoor parking (great on those snowy days), high-speed wireless Internet, and full-service audiovisual support on site.
Best Electricity Provider: Public Service of New Hampshire
780 No. Commercial Street, Manchester
603-669-4000
www.psnh.com
PSNH, a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, is the state’s largest electric utility, providing service to more than 400,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns in New Hampshire.
Best Local Health Club: Executive Health & Sports Center
1 Highlander Way, Manchester
603-668-4753
www.ehsc.com
The Executive Health and Sports Center has been inspiring, motivating and educating people to be healthy, active and well for life for more than 30 years. With a staff of 200 professionals and more than 100,000 square feet of space on two floors, the facility offers a state-of-the-art cardio theater, aquatics and fully equipped training areas to help you feel and look your best. Street Fun and fresh fitness classes run the full spectrum from aerobics to racquetball to yoga.
Best Hospital: Elliot Hospital
1 Elliot Way, Manchester
603-669-5300
www.elliothospital.org
The cornerstone of the Elliot Health System — the largest provider of comprehensive health care services in Southern New Hampshire — is Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility in Manchester. Established in 1890, the hospital offers surrounding communities caring, compassionate and professional patient service regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual preference, or ability to pay. The hospital is Greater Manchester’s designated trauma center, and is also home to a cancer center, urology center, and has one of only three Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the state.
Best Health Insurance Provider: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
3000 Goffs Fall Road, Manchester
603-695-7000
www.anthem.com
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, New Hampshire’s largest health benefits company, is a member company of WellPoint Inc., whose mission is to improve the lives and the health of the people and the communities it serves. The company delivers a number of health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products, including pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts.
Best Commercial Insurance Provider: Cross Insurance Agency
Best Employee Benefits: Cross Insurance Agency
Locations throughout New Hampshire
800-999-7345
www.crossagency.com
Headquarted in Maine with nine offices in New Hampshire, Cross Insurance Agency offers experience in all facets of insurance protection – and more than 400 knowledgeable employees – so it can always assemble the team best suited to meet its clients’ business and personal insurance needs. Its business products are tailored for a range of industries and include property, general liability, business interruption income, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, professional liability and more. Its fully staffed employee benefits division represents more than 1,500 employee benefit clients through Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and each client is assigned a minimum of two Cross representatives: an account executive, whose principal responsibility is front line contact, and a benefits specialist, working in a day-to-day fashion with each client.
Best Office Cleaning Service: The Cleaning Guy
PO Box 115, Goffstown
603-487-2468
www.thecleaningguynh.com
For more than 30 years, The Cleaning Guy has been providing unmatched commercial cleaning services out of the greater Manchester area to residences and businesses across the state. Its mission is to clean for health – that is, cleaning to keep facilities healthier places to work. It provides services such as daily and weekly office cleaning, carpet, window and floor care with the very best, high-quality equipment.
Office Supplies: W.B. Mason
12 Murphy Drive, Nashua
888-926-2766
www.wbmason.com
Since 1898, the dedicated people at W.B. Mason have been passionate about bringing their amazingly low prices, superior delivery and outstanding personal service to businesses of all sizes for all of their office products needs. Headquartered in Brockton, Mass., W.B. Mason has grown to become the largest, privately owned office products dealer in the United States, with over 30 locations spanning 11 states, with everything you need for your office, from supplies and furniture, to break room and janitorial goods.
Best Office Furniture: Staples
Locations throughout New Hampshire
500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
800-378-2753
www.staples.com
New England-based Staples Inc. opened its first office supply superstore in 1986 and today is the world’s largest office products company with more than 1,800 stores in North America. From pens, paper, data CDs – and, yes, staples – Staples offers a wide range of office products and solutions.
Best Payroll Service: ADP Payroll Solutions
One ADP Blvd., Roseland, N.J.
800-225-5237
www.adp.com
ADP is one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging more than 55 years of experience, ADP offers a wide range of services including human resources, payroll, tax and benefits administration solutions. ADP’s easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to companies of all types and sizes.
Best Locally Owned Payroll Service: Trivantus Inc.
582 Chestnut Street, Manchester
603-624-7788
www.trivantus.com
Trivantus is a locally owned and operated payroll processing company specializing in streamlining employers' outsourcing needs. Through advanced payroll technology and unsurpassed customer service, Trivantus allows employers to focus on what's most important – their businesses.
Best Copy Services: Printers Square
105 Faltin Drive, Manchester
603-623-0802
www.psquare.com
Printers Square has been providing commercial print and design services for 20 years. Since its inception, Printers Square has been dedicated to providing excellent service and print quality. Printers Square offers high-speed digital printing. Extensive pre-press analysis ensures your print job meets your specifications, while online job tracking informs you about your job every step of the way.
Best Long-Run Printer: Spectrum Printing
95 Eddy Road, Suite 101, Manchester
603-627-0042
www.spectrummarketing.com
The Spectrum Marketing Companies take full-service printing to the next level. Its commercial print division has a wide range of equipment specifically designed to fulfill a diverse range of requirements. From elaborate 4-color brochures and direct mail to basic stationery and business cards, Spectrum can manage your company’s brand across all your needs. Locally delivered on Spectrum’s private trucking fleet or nationally distributed to multiple locations, you can rest assured that your printing projects will arrive on time.
Best Short-Run Printer: RAM Printing, Inc.
5 Commerce Park Drive, East Hampstead
603-382-7045
www.ramprinting.com
RAM Printing, a family-owned and -operated, full-service offset printing company, has been in business for 35 years. Located in East Hampstead, RAM Printing is a part of RAM Companies, which also includes RAM Mailing Service, Hampstead Print & Copy and GuestMark International, which provides specialized print services and products for the hospitality industry.
Best Promotional Products Supplier: Say it in Stitches
128 Hall Street, Suite B, Concord
603-224-6470
www.stitchesnh.com
Say it in Stitches is a promotional product distributor with a mission to help you create long-lasting relationships with your clients through the power of promotional products. Promotional products are used by virtually every business in America, and Say it in Stitches can supply your company with every possible promotional product – such as pens, mugs, t-shirts, wristbands or lanyards – from more than 3,000 suppliers.
Best Commercial Signage: Jutras Signs
711 Mast Road, Manchester
603-622-2344
www.jutrassigns.com
Founded in 1940, Jutras specializes in illuminated signs, including neon, as well as non-illuminated signs, banners, awnings, flags and other signage. In addition to design services, Jutras also offers a complete repair shop with the ability to maintain and service virtually any sign.
Best Auto Dealership: AutoFair Automotive Group
Dealerships in Nashua, Manchester and Stratham
603-634-1000
www.autofair.com
For more than 20 years, AutoFair has served the New Hampshire and surrounding areas as a new and used auto dealership. With services such as an online Car Finder, AutoFair’s Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen and Pre-Owned dealerships work hard to make your vehicle shopping experience an enjoyable and memorable one. AutoFair also takes pride in serving the community, and is a founding member of the Manchester Charitable Foundation.
Best Auto Fleet Dealership: Grappone Automotive Group
Route 3A, Bow
800-528-8993
www.grappone.com
As fourth-generation, family owned automotive group specializing in commercial vehicle and fleet sales since 1924, Grappone Automotive Group’s commercial trucks and fleet vehicle departments make sure that your vehicle or truck can handle the job.
Best Auto Luxury Dealership: Tulley BMW
170 Auto Center Road, Manchester
888-453-4380
147 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua
888-461-8281
www.tulleybmw.com
With locations in both Nashua and Manchester, Tulley BMW treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. Its experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm about its range of new and certified pre-owned BMWs. Both facilities also have BMW Service Centers, which are staffed with experienced, BMW-trained technicians who will quickly diagnose and remedy any areas of concern and get you back on the road quickly and safely.
Best Car Service: Grace Limousine
PO Box 3510, Manchester
603-666-0203
www.gracelimo.com
Family-owned and -operated from Manchester since 1990, Grace Limousine is committed to providing the best in personal, special event and corporate transportation. More than just transportation, Grace’s fleet includes Lincoln sedans, a stretch Navigator, a 1956 Rolls Royce Bentley and “green” vehicles such as the Lexus SUV hybrid, as well as stretch limousines equipped with LCD TV’s and DVD players.
Best Business Startup Competition: Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation-to-Market Competition
paulcollege.unh.edu/paul-j-holloway-innovation-market-prize
Named in honor of New Hampshire Entrepreneur Paul J. Holloway, the Holloway competition is open to all students of the University System of New Hampshire. Established in 1988, the competition presents cash awards to winning teams and runners-up who demonstrate a solid plan for bringing an innovative product or service to market. The rigor of the competition maximizes educational value, prepares students for the realities of the business
world, and helps to generate new business opportunities.
Best Young Professionals Network: Manchester Young Professionals Network
Established in 2004, the Manchester Young Professionals Network is New Hampshire’s first and largest young professionals’ networking organization, supporting nearly 3,000 young professionals in the Queen City. Through monthly and sometimes weekly events, MYPN aims to create business and social opportunities, support professional development and welcome new and existing young professionals to the Manchester community. MYPN also hosts one of the start’s largest business startup competitions, the New Hampshire Startup Challenge, which provides cash and in-kind services to winning business plans.
Best Bankruptcy Law Firm: Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
1000 Elm Street, 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com
Members of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group at Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green represent clients in every aspect of business bankruptcy and insolvency, including closely and publicly held debtors, post-petition lenders, other secured and unsecured creditors, and more. Both inside and outside of bankruptcy cases, its members advise those buying and selling troubled businesses' assets, including related real estate and intellectual property interests.
Best Corporate Law Firm: Devine Millimet & Branch
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com
Devine Millimet attorneys offer legal counsel to businesses and individuals throughout New Hampshire and New England, handling legal issues for businesses of all types – from small and emerging LLCs to large national corporations. In 2013, Devine Millimet’s Small Business Team was recognized with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Hampshire Small Business Champion Award for its Business Launch Initiative, which provides free business formation services to startup businesses in New Hampshire.
Best Employment Law Firm: Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
1000 Elm Street, 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com
Sheehan Phinney is a full-service business law firm representing local, national and international clients with innovative approaches and practical solutions. Founded in 1937, Sheehan Phinney has grown to four offices throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts and is known for professional excellence, practical counsel and commitment to both its clients and the communities it serves. Sheehan Phinney offers an annual Employment Law Review and Update for businesspeople to stay appraised of recent developments in the law, on topics ranging from social media and Internet security to managing temporary workers and independent contractors.
Best Intellectual Property Law Firm: McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton
900 Elm Street, Manchester
602-625-6464
www.mclane.com
McLane's Intellectual Property Group helps companies to manage and execute their intellectual property strategies. It advises clients on a sweeping range of issues – including intellectual property development, protection, licensing and litigation. McLane attorneys focus on U.S. and foreign trademark and copyright law, patent procurement, e-commerce and Internet law, domain name/cybersquatter disputes, technology development, and trade secret protection.
Best Real Estate Law Firm: Devine Millimet & Branch
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com
Devine Millimet's real estate attorneys represent a wide variety of developers, owners and lenders with complex legal needs in the acquisition, permitting and development of major real estate projects throughout New England. Whether clients are pursuing growth, redevelopment or diversification, Devine attorneys and staff bring to clients a practical approach to success in all manner of real estate development projects and transactions.
Best Tax Law Firm: Devine Millimet & Branch
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com
The Tax Practice Group at Devine Millimet provides clients with a broad range of services to handle any potential tax issue. The firm assists clients with all civil (non-criminal) aspects of federal and state taxation including tax planning, audit strategy, administrative appeal and litigation. Devine Millimet combines practical, creative solutions with the necessary experience and expertise to help business owners come to sound and reasonable tax resolutions that work for their company.
Best After-Work Bar (Greater Manchester): Strange Brew Tavern
88 Market Street, Manchester
603-666-4292
www.strangebrewtavern.net
Best After-Work Bar (Monadnock Region): Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
77 Main Street, Keene
603-357-4492
www.margs.com
Best After-Work Bar (Greater Concord): The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com
Best After-Work Bar (Greater Nashua): The Peddler's Daughter
48 Main Street, Nashua
603-821-7535
www.thepeddlersdaughter.com
Best After-Work Bar (Seacoast): The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com
Best After-Work Bar (North of Concord): Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery
135 Main Street, North Woodstock
603-745-3951
www.woodstockinnnh.com
Best Business Dinner (Greater Manchester): Hanover Street Chophouse
149 Hanover Street, Manchester
603-644-2467
www.hanoverstreetchophouse.com
Best Business Dinner (Greater Nashua): The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com
Best Business Dinner (Greater Concord): The Common Man Concord
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com
Best Business Dinner (Greater Salem): Tuscan Kitchen
67 Main Street, Salem
603-952-4875
www.tuscanbrands.com
Best Business Dinner (Seacoast): Surf Restaurant
99 Bow Street, Portsmouth
603-334-9855
www.surfseafood.com
Best Business Dinner (North of Concord): Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille
40 Andover Road, New London
603-526-6899
www.flyinggoose.com
Best Business Dinner (Monadnock Region): Giorgio's Mediterranean & Italian Restaurant
524 Nashua Street, Milford
603-673-3939
www.giorgios.com
Best Business Lunch (Greater Manchester): Cotton
75 Arms Street, Manchester
603-622-5488
www.cottonfood.com
Best Business Lunch (Greater Nashua): The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com
Best Business Lunch (Greater Concord): The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com
Business Lunch (Seacoast): The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com
Best Business Lunch (North of Concord): Horsefeathers
2679 White Mountain Hwy., North Conway
603-356-2687
www.horsefeathers.com
Best Business Lunch (Monadnock Region): Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
77 Main Street, Keene
603-357-4492
www.margs.com
Best Cup of Coffee (Greater Manchester): The Bridge Café
1117 Elm Street, Manchester
603-647-9991
www.thebridgecafe.net
Best Cup of Coffee (Greater Nashua): Riverwalk Roasters Coffee House
35 Railroad Square, Nashua
603-578-0200
www.riverwalkroasters.com
Best Cup of Coffee (Monadnock Region): Prime Roast Coffee Company
16 Main Street, Keene
603-352-7874
primeroast.wordpress.com
Best Cup of Coffee (Seacoast): Breaking New Grounds
14 Market Square, Portsmouth
603-436-9555
www.bngcoffee.com
Best Cup of Coffee (Greater Concord): Bread & Chocolate
29 So. Main Street, Concord
603-228-3330
Best Cup of Coffee (North of Concord): White Mountain Café
212 Main Street, Gorham
603-466-2511
Best Cup of Coffee (Greater Salem): Village Bean
33 Indian Rock Road, Windham
603-434-2326
www.villagebean.com
EDITOR'S PICKS
People You Want Answering Your Calls When You’re Not Available: Always on Call Answering Service LLC
117 Manchester Street, Suite 1,
Concord
603-229-4299
www.alwaysoncall.com
Always On Call provides comprehensive, personalized telephone answering service 24 hours a day, every day, both locally and nationwide to a variety of industries and business professionals, giving you peace of mind knowing that calls placed outside your office hours are being handled by skilled, trained professionals who understand the ins and outs of your business. Additionally, it provides call patching and conferencing, overflow and remote receptionist services, message dispatching, alarm monitoring, and other services that make Always on Call a true extension of your business.
Best Effort to Upgrade N.H.’s Workforce Skills: WorkReadyNH
www.ccsnh.edu/workforce-training/workready-nh
WorkReadyNH, an initiative of the Community College System of New Hampshire and the state, has two main goals: to help job-seekers and career builders improve their skills, and to help companies find qualified employees. Through the program, workers get a chance to improve their basic workplace skills and earn a National Career Readiness Certificate and a community college certificate – signals that the participant has mastered key work-related skills and is ready to become a valuable employee. As of the end of 2013, WorkReadyNH already had 919 graduates, with nearly 2,000 more registered.
Best Place to Get Your MacBook Repaired (or Replaced): Small Dog Electronics
1500 South Willow Street, Manchester
603-836-0003
www.smalldog.com
Small Dog is an Apple Authorized Service Provider with certified technicians who can troubleshoot, diagnose and repair qualifying Apple products, in or out of warranty. It also carries a full stock of the latest and greatest Apple products, including new and refurbished Macs, iPads and iPods. Small Dog’s Business Solutions Team provides products, services and solutions for small businesses, including point-of-sale solutions, networking, data storage, digital signage, and much more.
Surest Way to Find Out If You Have Vertigo: Alpine Adventures
41 Main Street, Lincoln
603-745-9911
www.alpinezipline.com
On 300 private acres on Barron Mountain in Woodstock, Alpine Adventures runs three year-round zipline tours that are designed for everyone from first-time zippers to extreme thrill-seekers. Its biggest zips rise up more than 225 feet above the forest floor and reach more than 1,600 feet in length. But catching air on the mountain is only part of the fun; guests are transported to the courses in Swiss army transport vehicles called Pinzgauers, which emulate low-speed roller coasters as they navigate the mountain’s treacherous off-road terrain.
Most Enviable Office Food: Dyn Inc.
150 Dow Street, Manchester
www.dyn.com
Dyn is a company known for its culture, and for good reason: its office has everything from an indoor climbing wall and putting green to arcade games and an office gym. But one of its strongest selling points to prospective employees is its grub. On top of a fully stocked kitchen replete with packed snack drawers, drinks and beer on tap, Dyn has a private farm-to-table café that features locally sourced, seasonal breakfast and lunch offerings at cost – from omelets and burritos to burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Best Place to Hit the Links in Snow Season: Atkinson Resort & Country Club
85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson
603-362-8700
www.atkinsonresort.com
When New Hampshire’s golf courses are coated in a mask of snow, you can keep your skills sharp in the off season at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club, which has four of the most sophisticated virtual golf simulators in all of New England. With 35 courses of varying difficulties from which to choose, players have the option of match play scoring, foursome scoring or scramble scoring for two to four players.
Best New Store Dad’s Been Waiting For: Bass Pro Shops
2 Commerce Drive, Hooksett
603-541-5200
basspro.com
In February, premier outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops opened its long-awaited first store in New Hampshire, delighting dads and the outdoorsy alike with its wide selection of hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor cooking gear. The whole store is decked out to evoke the feeling of being deep in the woods, complete with a 5,000-foot fish tank teeming with local fish.
Best New Public/Private Partnership: N.H. Aerospace & Defense Export Consortium
Launched by the N.H. International Trade Resource Center last year, the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Consortium, or NHADEC, was formed to unite the roughly 300 New Hampshire companies that work in the aerospace and defense industry, with the aim of helping them increase their foreign exports, share expertise and make business connections. The consortium has already found success, with more than 70 member companies and a recently signed agreement to strengthen its ties with Aero Montreal, one of world's premier aerospace clusters.
Promotion We’re Most Excited About Raising a Glass To: BrewNH
Beer tourism is on the rise nationwide, and a new nonprofit group in New Hampshire – BrewNH – aims to capitalize on that trend by promoting New Hampshire as a destination for craft beer lovers. A joint effort of the Beer Distributors of New Hampshire, Granite State Brewers Association, and N.H. Departments of Travel and Tourism and Resources and Economic Development, BrewNH’s website offers a map of New Hampshire breweries, beer events around the state, social media postings and more.
Most Fun – and Mobile – Way to Sample Local Craft Beer: Granite State Growler Tours
603-964-0284
www.nhbeerbus.com
Hop aboard “Greta the Growler Getta,” a 14-passenger van that roams for foam, taking riders to visit breweries around the New Hampshire Seacoast (and, as of recently, greater Manchester as well). Riders get a history lesson on the region’s rich brewing past, all while getting to sample beer and fill growlers at some of the state’s newest (and most adventurous) microbreweries.
Best Way to Satisfy Pretty Much Any Food Craving You Might Have: Door-to-Door Delivery
500 Commercial Street, Manchester
603-531-3663
d2ddelivery.com
Don't feel like going out to eat, yet disappointed that your favorite restaurant doesn't offer its own delivery service? Door to Door Delivery delivers meals – from individual entrees to full corporate catering orders – from some of your favorite Manchester-area restaurants directly to your home, office, dorm, hotel, or even corporate meeting. The company has partnered with a wide range of restaurants in and around the Queen City – serving up Greek, Italian, Chinese, American cuisine and more – ensuring that virtually any craving can be satisfied, just by placing a simple phone call or online order through its user-friendly website.
Best Place to Reawaken Your Creativity: Port City Makerspace
603-373-1002
www.portcitymakerspace.com
Port City Makerspace is a community workshop where, for a low monthly fee, members can tinker, hammer, repair and let their inner creativity take hold. Open to the public, Port City has a wood shop, welding and metal shop, areas for repairing electronics and bikes, a 3D printer and more, and offers classes to those looking to learn a new skill.
Best Offline Social Network for Young Professionals: New Hampshire Sports and Social Club
603-518-8257
www.nhssc.com
Who says kickball is just for kids? The New Hampshire Sports and Social Club runs recreational sports leagues in Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua, the Seacoast, and Concord, providing young professionals with a way to get active while making new friends. Sports include ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, softball, kickball, soccer, flag football and the aforementioned kickball (played with a big red ball, just like you remember it).
Best $10 Kickstarter Investment: Any N.H. Movie Theater Raising Money to Go Digital
Very soon, small movie theaters all over New Hampshire will have to make the switch from 35mm film to digital projection in order to keep screening the latest releases. It’s a high cost burden for any theater to bear, but especially so for small community movie theaters, so many of them are turning to their loyal customers and crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter to raise the funds for digital conversion. If you want to see your hometown theater survive, throw it $10 (which might even secure you some popcorn or soda at a future movie).
Most Anticipated Reason to Stop and Stretch Your Legs: Hooksett Rest Areas
http://www.thecman.com/image-category/hooksett-rest-area/27.aspx
By spring of 2015, the rest areas off Interstate 93 in Hooksett will be transformed into brand ambassadors for New Hampshire. Built with energy efficient and sustainable features, each rest area will house an interactive visitor center, revamped liquor store, food court run by The Common Man, dog-walking area and country store.
Brightest Idea Emerging Out of Concord Last Session: Pathway to Work
www.nhes.nh.gov/nhworking/pathwaytowork
Pathway to Work is a voluntary program that allows the unemployed to continue to receive unemployment benefits while working full time to start a business in New Hampshire, providing the startups with a needed financial springboard to get them on their feet. More than 50 businesses have been formed in the state since it went into effect in July 2013.
Simplest Way to Store Your Stuff: MI-BOX Storage
Locations throughout New Hampshire
866-642-6999
www.getmibox.com
Want to get rid of clutter either around the house or the office, but the hassle of renting a moving truck or making multiple trips to a storage unit holding you back? MI-BOX eliminates those inconveniences by transporting its DuraPlated, weather-sealed storage units, in any size of your choice, directly to your door. Along with that ease, it also gives you options on where to store your packed-up stuff; either in one of their storage facilities or, if you have the space, right outside.
Company You Want Organizing Your Fun Run: Millennium Running
68 Technology Drive, Bedford
855-867-8280
www.millenniumrunning.com
As a company based around promoting healthy lifestyles and unique, first-class races and events, it’s no surprise that Millennium Running’s staff is made up of All-American, Olympic Trial qualifying athletes. But don’t let that intimidate you. Since 2010, the race event management company has coordinated events all over the state for runners and walkers of all fitness levels – and has raised more than $200,000 in funds for local organizations and nonprofits.
Program That’s Putting Advanced Manufacturing on the Radar Screens of N.H. Students: AMPed (Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships in Education) New Hampshire
An initiative of the Community College System of New Hampshire, AMPed NH is working to train thousands of New Hampshire residents for high-skill, high-wage advanced manufacturing jobs – helping not just workers to land good jobs, but making New Hampshire a more desirable place for manufacturers to locate and grow their companies. What’s not to be amped about?
