As the housing bubble burst and trillions of dollars’ worth of toxic mortgages began to go bad in 2007, fear spread throughout Wall Street. Shockwaves continued throughout the economy and in September 2008 another investment bank was on the verge of collapse. The American economy was in grave danger of a complete meltdown.
Fast forward and let’s take a look at today’s local economy in Laconia, NH. We went through a major recession…what commercial activity have we seen during the past seven years?
A lot! I drove around the city yesterday and the list is HUGE!
Here’s what’s new:
Walgreens • CVS Pharmacy • Dunkin’ Donuts • Holy Grail Restaurant & Pub • 405 Pub & Grill • Burrito Me • Local Eatery • Taco Bell • Fratello’s Ristorante addition • Irwin Motors Hyundai expansion • Toyota/Ford expansion • Cantin’s Chevrolet expansion/renovation • Aroma Joe’s Coffee • Lakeside Roast Beef & Seafood • Nothin’ Fancy Breakfast, Bar & Grill • Dairy Queen • McDonalds restaurant renovation • Laconia Sun headquarters • new strip plaza at former Summerfields • new fire department addition • new middle school • new Huot technical center at Laconia High School • new high school athletic stadium • buildings at Lakes Region Community College • Funspot indoor golf • Faro Italian Grill restaurant • Gulbicki’s & Son new building • Hannaford’s Supermarket relocation & expansion • Walmart expansion • Weathervane Restaurant • Paws Antiques • Weirs Beach self-storage • Bluegill Lodge at Meredith Bay • The Townhouses at Meredith Bay • Awkwa Marina Yacht Club restaurant & lounge • Watermark Marine Supply • new Paugus Bay Marina showroom • Five Star Golf Carts & utility vehicles • Marriot Town Plaza Suites • NH 1 Media Center • former Sundial Shop building reconstruction • Live Green Cafe • Christmas Island Steakhouse • Christmas Island Resort Condominiums • Former sandbar restaurant demolition • Advanced Auto Parts • Platinum Salon & Spa • Case & Keg Convenience Store expansion • The Insurance Outlet • Laconia Antique Center •Jacob’s Ladder Roast Beef & Tavern • Angel’s in the Attic consignment shop • Petco • Dollar Tree • Valvoline Quick Stop • Greenlaw’s building sale • Bead Divine• Studio Colony Gifts • Total Security • Compare-a-Quote Insurance • Lake Street Home Services • Monkey Trunks • Woodshed Roasting Co. • Laconia Country Club improvements • Big Daddy’s Signs• Lakes Professional Center• Cross Insurance addition • Laconia Eye & Laser center • Happy Cow Ice Cream • Nirvana Skincare • Cumberland Farms in Weirs Beach • Pitman’s Freight room • Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook • Stages Dance Studio • GNC Store • Eased Edges Hearth Stove & outdoor Living, and the list continues….
Bottom line; Laconia should be proud of its local business and commercial expansion during the past seven years. Things are really looking up and we’ve got some nice buildings and improvements that have been constructed!
Please feel free to visit www.s21794.p694.sites.pressdns.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market. Frank Roche is president of Roche Realty Group in Meredith & Laconia, NH and can be reached at (603) 279-7046.
