Manchester - City hosts community forum to discuss Hollow Neighborhood Revitalization Plans

City officials hold Community Forum on Thursday, Feb 9^th to discuss future revitalization plans for Hollow Neighborhood

The Community Improvement Program Division of the Department of Planning and Community Development will be hosting a community forum this Thursday, February 9^th at 7:00pm in the Elliot Hospital Community Room to discuss revitalization plans for the Hollow Neighborhood.  The Hollow Neighborhood encompasses Lake Ave, Spruce Street, Cedar Street, Belmont Street, Hall Street and Massabesic Street.  The community forum is open to all residents and business owners.

Recent improvements in the Hollow Neighborhood include a repainted exterior, new exterior stair tower and the addition of an elevator in the Oddfellows building located on the corner of Lake Ave and Hall Street.  The City is planning on implementing further redevelopment that will get this historic building back in action as a place of business.  Further revitalization plans for the area include the construction of a new duplex on Lake Ave and the redevelopment of the former Oven-Poppers building on Spruce Street. 

During the community forum residents and business owners will be presented with the revitalization plans for the neighborhood and have the opportunity to ask questions from city officials, including Ward 5 Alderman Ed Osbourne.  In addition, business owners will be presented with an opportunity to grow their businesses or improve their building facades through programs sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.

Residents and business owners are highly encouraged to attend.  For more information about the community forum please contact Brian Keating, Planning & Community Development Department, 603-624-6450.

Cedar & Oak Opens First Retail Store in Downtown Manchester

Cedar & Oak specializes in handcrafted all American-made furniture and will hold a ribbon cutting on Dec 8^th

Manchester, NH – Cedar & Oak, a furniture manufacturer that specializes in creating handmade solid fine wood furniture using only American made components, will be celebrating the opening of their first retail location on Thursday, December 8^th at 10:15am with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The retail store is located at 379 Elm Street, next to the Music Mill and Van Otis Chocolate.

Cedar & Oak started in 2002 in the garage of owner Michael Rousseau where he began to sell his hand-crafted furniture to furniture stores throughout New Hampshire.  In 2008, Rousseau decided to expand operations and opened a manufacturing facility at 21 West Auburn St in downtown Manchester.  His expansion was made possible with a $22,000 loan made through the City of Manchester’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), which is administrated by the Manchester Economic Development Office (MEDO).  “The initial RLF loan allowed me to purchase all new equipment, which in turn allowed me to streamline the manufacturing process and provide the highest quality products to my customers” stated Rousseau.  The loan also allowed Rousseau to expand the number of furniture stores selling his products.  Currently, Cedar & Oak furniture to available in more than 50 locations throughout New England and upstate New York.   In 2010, Rousseau began to explore the possibility of opening a retail store and combining it with a new manufacturing facility.  “I never envisioned opening a retail store when I started the business in 2002, but the timing just seemed right, despite the economy” stated Rousseau.  To assist with the opening of the new retail store and to hire additional workers Cedar & Oak received a $41,000 RLF loan.  In the past year Cedar & Oak has hired two employees bringing their workforce to six and Rousseau intends to hire additional workers once sales at the new retail location begin to pick up.

Cedar & Oak is well known for its “green manufacturing” practices and commitment to using only American-made products in the construction of their furniture.  “We take a lot of pride that all our furniture is 100% made in the USA and more than 90% of the products used to make our furniture come from right here in New Hampshire.  We are also an environmentally friendly company using only VOC compliant finishes” stated Rousseau.   Owner Michael Rousseau believes so strongly in supporting locally made products that he is offering New Hampshire made products in his store.  “We are offering our customers the ability to buy furniture made by New Hampshire craftsmen and purchase other New Hampshire made products such as Peterborough baskets and locally made jellies, jams, pottery and candles.  As a small business owner using only American made components, I make every effort to support other New Hampshire small businesses”. 

The public is encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, December 8^th at 10:15am.  The store is currently open for business.  For store hours and additional information about Cedar & Oak please visit their website at http://cedarandoak.com/.

Manchester - Extreme Pita's Grand Opening is set for Saturday, October 22nd

Manchester, NH – This isn’t your typical food court establishment.  Extreme Pita is the newest store to open at the Mall of New Hampshire and will be hosting a Grand Opening on Saturday, October 22^nd at 11:00am.  Extreme Pita is known for their commitment to creating a unique product bursting with fresh and healthy ingredients.

“We have a commitment to provide our customers with a healthy and high-quality product”, stated Rashmi Juneja, owner of Extreme Pita at the Mall of New Hampshire. “To show our commitment to our customers and to celebrate our Grand Opening we will be offering all our pitas at half-price on Saturday”.  Menu items include Philly Cheese Steak, Grilled Chicken, Gyros, Falafel and much more.  All pitas are made fresh to order.  Extreme Pita also offers a variety of great tasting Flat Baked Pita’s, fresh salads, soups, and drinks.  “We want to offer our customers a healthy alternative to pizza and burgers, which is what you normally find at food courts”, stated Rashmi.  “We are the first franchise to open in New Hampshire but I don’t think it will be the last.”

Extreme Pita is located in the food court at the Mall of New Hampshire and is open during normal mall hours, Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-9:00pm and on Sundays from 12:00pm-6:00pm.  For more information about Extreme Pita please visit their website at www.extremepita.com or call the store at 603-647-7482.

Manchester - Entertainment Schedule released for 2011 World's Championship Chili Cookoff

2011 WCCC entertainment scheduled filled with live music, public contests and family activities

Manchester, NH – The entertainment schedule for the 2011 World’s Championship Chili Cookoff has been released.  Rock 101 helped secure the main stage entertainment which is presented by AutoFair.  Many bands that performed last year are back again including local favorites, the Tom Dixon Band, the Matt Chase Band and Mama Kicks.  The Manchester Monarchs and New Hampshire Fishercats are sponsoring the Kid’s Zone which will feature inflatable playhouses, games, activities and appearances by team mascots Fungo and Max. 

The WCCC has many events that encourage public participation.  The Mr. Hot Sauce Contest sponsored by Bigram Yoga of Manchester and the Miss Chili Pepper Contest sponsored by Not So Plain Jane’s provide attendees with the opportunity to strut their stuff on the main stage for the chance to be named this year’s Mr. Hot Sauce or Miss Chili Pepper.  Margaritas of Manchester is sponsoring a Jalapeño eating contest on Friday, Sept 30^th at 3:30pm.  Attendees can sign up to participate in these contests at the event.

This year’s WCCC entertainment lineup includes a 2^nd Stage on Elm Street which will feature performances by many local dance and entertainment groups including, the NHIA John Sargent Choir, the Manchester Community Music School, Master An’s Taekwondo, Cunniffee Academy of Irish Dance, Jazzercise and many more.  Magician Gary Bessette and an Onion Decorating Contest sponsored by the National Onion Society are also scheduled for the 2^nd stage. 

The 2011 WCCC takes place at Veterans Park from Friday, Sept 30^th – Sunday, October 2^nd.  The event hours are Friday, Sept 30^th, 12:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday, Oct 1^st, 11:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday, Oct 2^nd, 11:00am-4:00pm.  Tickets are $5.00 if purchased before the event and $7.00 if purchased at the event.  Each ticket includes five chili samples during public sampling hours and one dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to one of four partnering charities.

For a complete list of activities happening at the 2011 WCCC or for ticket information please visit www.yourmanchesternh.com/chili or contact Chris Wellington at 603-624-6505.

MEDO - Manchester 2011 World's Championship Chili Cookoff tickets are now available

2011 WCCC tickets will be available online or at select locations throughout Manchester

Manchester, NH – Tickets are now available for the 2011 World’s Championship Chili Cookoff (WCCC) which is coming to Veterans Park in downtown Manchester from Friday, September 30^th- Sunday, October 2nd.  Tickets are $5.00 if purchased before the event and $7.00 at the gate.  $1.00 from every ticket sold will be donated to the events’ supporting charities: Families in Transition, the Greater Manchester YMCA, New Horizons and the Manchester Rotary.  Last year the City of Manchester was able to donate more than $20,000 to participating charities.

This is the second consecutive year that the City of Manchester will host the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff.  The WCCC is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and is the culmination of more than 200 chili cook-offs that are held throughout the country.  The WCCC will name a World Champion in three divisions: red chili, chili verde and salsa.  The Red Chili winner will take home a $25,000 grand prize and the coveted Bronze Pot Trophy.  Last year’s Red Chili Champion was Tom Hoover from Ohio (picture attached).

Tickets and parking passes can be purchased online by visiting the 2011 WCCC website, www.yourmanchesternh.com/chili.  Tickets will also be available for purchase at locations throughout Manchester, including all supporting charities offices and City Hall. 

For more information about the 2011 WCCC and a complete list of locations to purchases event tickets visit www.yourmanchesternh.com/chili or contact Chris Wellington at 603.624.6505.

Locations to purchase 2011 WCCC Tickets:

Manchester City Hall One City Hall Plaza Manchester, NH Info Booth (1st Fl) Mayors Office (3rd Fl) 603-624-6505	YMCA of Londonderry 406 Rockingham Rd Londonderry, NH 603-437-9622	YMCA of Greater Manchester 30 Mechanic St Manchester, NH 603-623-3558
New Horizons   199 Manchester St          Manchester, NH                  603-668-1877	Families in Transition OutFiters Thrift Store 394 Second St Manchester, NH 603-641-6691	Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce 54 Hanover St Manchester, NH 603-666-6600
Families in Transition OutFITers Thrift Store 5 Market Lane Concord, NH 603-219-0027	YMCA Allard Center 116 Goffstown Back Rd Goffstown, NH 603-497-4663	Parking Division 25 Vine Street Victory Garage Manchester, NH