NHBR About Town: Week of February 27, 2026
Business and event happenings around the state of NH
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Merrimack-based specialty retailer Brookstone Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy as early as Sunday, with plans for its acquisition by another specialty retailer, Spencer Spirit Holdings, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper, citing people familiar with the situation, said Spencer Spirit – owner of the retail chains Spencer's and Spirit, is looking to complete paperwork over the weekend.
Spencer Spirit is expected to pay about $120 million for the company, the Journal said.
Brookstone was taken private in 2005 in a $445 million deal.
Business and event happenings around the state of NH
The Latest is a roundup of the comings and goings of the movers and shakers in NH's business community
A federal judge heard opening arguments Monday, February 9, in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2024 state law that requires first-time voters in New Hampshire to show proof of U.S. citizenship when they register.
What employers should know for the upcoming cap season
On February 11, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the largest enforcement settlement under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), resolving claims that The Walt Disney Company failed to adequately honor consumers’ opt-out rights — a core tenet of modern privacy law.
Our post-pandemic business environment has brought about myriad challenges that make cash flow forecasting much more difficult than it was five years ago. Many businesses are navigating supply chain challenges, volatile demand and lingering inflation — all key indicators of future cash flow.
For a long time, workplace wellness was viewed through a fairly narrow lens: reminders to schedule an annual physical, a blood pressure screening, maybe a gym reimbursement. Those efforts still matter. But “wellness” has expanded, because the way we work and live has changed.
What employers are getting wrong, and how to fix it before it becomes a claim
Collaboration can ensure the Granite State’s ski industry remains vibrant and resilient