New England
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The New England region includes small businesses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. In this region, Maine and Massachusetts had the most small businesses nominated. (Note that although they tied, Massachusetts had more businesses from different communities.)
You can check out the complete list of businesses nominated for GOBankingRates’ Small Business Spotlight in this region below.
Regional Nominees
- Conn-Professional Water Services (Seymour, construction): “They are quickly growing, donate time and money to many organizations. Stay professional and on schedule.”
- Cromwell Country Store & Workshop of Walk by Faith Doggie Bakery (Cromwell, shopping/retail/pet supplies): “This small business is doing something good for the community … dogs and customers can go into the bakery and watch treats be baked, they can help bake and it has a country store and you can make gift baskets.”
- Fine Print of New England (Newington, printing): “… these two men produce quality printing for many loyal customers … They do what they say they can, and at some of the lowest prices available.”
- Hot Pots (Hartford, soul food restaurant):
More on Hot Pots:
“This is by far the best soul food restaurant in New England. From their macaroni & cheese to their fish. Banana pudding. Sweet tea. Everything is home made. Cajun food, everything! You name it, they have it! I love their food! The customer service is excellent! You go once, you will be hooked as I am!”
- Kelly’s Crystals Boutique (Torrington, crystal store): “[T]hey are the most amazing wonderful kind loving people and how they have items made by local artists is wonderful.”
- Patti’s Treasures & Antiques (Windsor, antique shop): “The store has everything from Depression Glass to vintage clothing. Also, an astounding amount of antique jewelry and an unusual amount of crystal jewelry.”
- Salon Citrine (Wilton, hair salon): “Salon Citrine is an oasis in my busy life. I leave feeling refreshed, stylish and ready to conquer any challenge. The owner Jeanine Sierianski is a true artist designing both cut and color.”
- The Dog House Eatery (Waterbury, seasonal outside eatery): “This is a very family environment with lots of love, laughs and loyal owners and family.”
- 44 Degrees North Restaurant & Pub (Milbridge, restaurant): “Excellent food. Friendly atmosphere and employees.”
- Burkettville General Store (Appleton, mom and pop store): “They have the best food in the state of Maine for a mom and pop store.”
- Common Ties (Lewiston, social services/mental health/resources): “The agency covers clients in need of housing, mental health services; medications; food; substance abuse; recovery; and saves lives.”
- Delano Seafood Market (Waldoboro, seafood sales):
More on Delano Seafood Market:
“This business is the best market in Lincoln county Maine for extremely fresh Maine seafood and they also have a food take out called Delano seafood shack. Such a great place to eat all types of sandwiches, seafoods and other delicious food.”
- Higher Grounds (Portland, coffee hut and marijuana): “Great hot chocolate.”
- My Dad’s Place (Jay, convenience pizza): “This business is all about doing the right things. MDP is always putting the community and its customers first.”
- State Lunch (Augusta, gastro pub): “Not only did this small local business open the week before the state declared all pandemic requirements in 2020, but they have managed to stay open, gain popularity, maintain a wonderful place in the community and take tremendous pride in the plates and beverages they serve.”
- Trillium Gift Shop (Biddeford, clothing/jewelry/gifts): “Owner is a talented craftsman. Makes most of the jewelry for sale in the store.”
- Webb’s Market (Lewiston, convenience store): “The people are very friendly and professional. They make the best food and they’re almost always busy.”
Massachusetts
- Bob Denley’s Foreign Car & Park Street Tire (Lee, auto repair shop): “He is a smart man. And always there to help someone. Works very well in what he loves to do.”
- Chocolate Cafe (Eastham, coffee/novelty): “Family oriented, friendly staff and owner.”
- Cyber Surf Shop (Chicopee, computer repair store): “The owner work 7 days a week open from 10 to 8 p.m., offers free pickup and delivery and same-day service and extra care and setup for the elderly.”
- Ginger Roots Kitchen (Stoneham, plant-based gluten-free meal prep service):
More on Ginger Roots Kitchen:
“This is a growing business that caters to the plant based and gf eaters with the most delicious meals for all seasons. Great breakfast, delicious soups and entrees. Delivering to Massachusetts, Boston and north and southern New Hampshire. When people feared leaving home Ginger Roots delivered good nutritiously fresh meals.”
- Kelley Maid & Janitorial Cleaning Service (Orange, residential & commercial detailed cleaning service): “The owner Kelley is very knowledgeable and professional. Her and her team got to any and all the nook and crannies of my home.”
- MySmartRenter.com (Concord, instant, confidential landlord screening system to protect renters): “… innovated the only credentialed landlord credit background screening system to help protect and shield renters, off-campus students, potential roommates, veterans.”
- Pickled Deli (Somerset, deli): “Opened and stayed open through the struggling pandemic.”
- Seaside Wine & Spirits (Pocasset, liquor store): “… very welcoming and friendly … going above and beyond in doing actions to local needs.”
- Viability (Springfield, day program): “They have nice work and they have the best worker in the entire place.”
- Bob’s Pizza and Subs (Nashua, dining): “Throughout the whole pandemic they have stayed open serving our great customers. Also won top place to eat in 2020.”
- DeFrancesco Southern New Hampshire Quality Roofing & Siding (Derry, general contracting): “Steve will do one roof a year for free! He is always helping people in the community! He cares about his customers. He tries to make sure every customer is happy.”
- Glorious Possibilities (Nashua, decor/antiques/interior design & group classes):
More on Glorious Possibilities:
“Gloria and her husband Pete brought the first and only business of this type. They treat every customer as a friend. It is a happy place. They lost their son at a young age and somehow found the ability to bring joy to others through his memory. He is certainly very proud of his family.”
- Guiding Light Realty (Derry, real estate): “Deborah Stripling, Broker of Guiding Light Realty, gives reduced rates to Veterans and their families, and all of those who had to work during the COVID-19. This includes police, fire, medical staff, postal workers and yes, all employees who continued to serve their communities.”
- Liquid Therapy Brewery (Nashua, brewery): “15 different brews, indoor/outdoor dining and Thursday night is trivia night! Food is amazing! Owner is always in as he brews alone. You are treated like family!”
- Yestramski Electrical Services Inc. (Contoocook, generator/electrical): “They are a family-run business who also treat their customers as such, welcoming them into their ‘family of customers.'”
- Reach for the Top Therapy Services (Dover, non-profit pediatric therapy): “This non-profit business sees over 1,500 children a month to help kids with disabilities & injuries to overcome and/or understand how to live functional lives moving to better and brighter futures. They see kids from both Maine and New Hampshire.”
- Rosie’s Restaurant (Tamworth, dining): “They have the best food the service is first rate and a friendly atmosphere is always a line out the door waiting to go in and the prices are fair.”
- All Property Management, LLC (Central Falls, apartment and housing rental): “Successful family business providing affordable housing to the community built on hard work, sweat and tears without any handouts or assistance despite extensive hardships.”
- Blue Wave Poetics (Pawtucket, production/entertainment): “Extremely professional company that is growing rapidly. In less than one year and they already opened a second location.”
- Pump House Music Works (Wakefield, music venue and guitar school): “It gives local people an opportunity to see and hear different types of music while giving the musicians a chance to perform.”
- Sandy Bottom Bait & Tackle (Coventry, fishing gear and bait):
More on Sandy Bottom Bait & Tackle:
“The owner is really knowledgeable helpful friendly fresh live bait, he’s been around a loooooong time. He’s not just a small businessman, he’s a friend to all.”
- Caledonia Spirits (Montpelier, distillery): “Caledonia Spirits was founded by a beekeeper and built on the idea of connecting consumption of alcohol to agriculture. This business is built on environmental stewardship, social responsibility and continuous learning.”
- Green Mountain Fireworks (Alburgh, fireworks retail store): “A local seasonal fireworks retail store that serves all people including people with disabilities. They go above and beyond with service for people who need fireworks and they do displays at promotional discounts.”
- Kid Logic Learning (Burlington, caregiving): “They help working families with 100% child care while working 1st and 2nd shift.”
- The Pick and Shovel (Newport, hardware store/laundromat/ice cream shoppe): “This small business is a gem for society.”
- RecycleBalls (South Burlington, non-profit tennis ball recycling):
More on RecycleBalls:
“The number of used tennis balls discarded each year has a huge environmental impact. This company came up with a machine that separates the fuzz on a tennis ball from the rubber. The fluffy stuff is used as footing for horse arenas, and the chips of rubber are used for new tennis courts. I think they need recognition for their efforts.”
Check out all the other regions and their small business nominees:
- East North Central: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin
- West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
- New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
- South Atlantic: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
- Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
- West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
- Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
- Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington
And check out more of the featured small businesses:
- Sister-Owned Visual Studio Captures the Art of Authentic Storytelling
- This Midwest Mom Credits Her Daughter for Inspiring Her Bath & Body Business
- Meet the Ohio Grandmother Who Launched a One-of-a-Kind Candle Company During the Pandemic
- Louisiana Woman Turns Her Passion for Creating Gift Baskets Into a Small Business
- A Musical Couple Teaches Kids of All Ages How To Rock Out
- This Virginia Hair Supply Store Wants To Give Everyone the ‘Courage To Be Beautiful’
- Former Stay-at-Home Mom Turns Her Love of Coffee Shops Into a Business
- Arizona Couple Turns a Family Ranch Into a Lavender-Filled Oasis
- Japanese Burger Restaurant Provides a Respite for Patrons Amid the Pandemic
- Atlanta Children’s Theater Trains the Stars of Tomorrow
- A Tennessee Coffee Shop Is Paying It Forward By Boosting Other Small Businesses
- A Soul Food Cafe in Atlanta Serves Up a Sense of Community
- A Family-Run Cafe in West Texas Transforms Into a Legendary Country Music Venue
- A Zero-Waste Store Grows in Brooklyn
- Music Industry Vet Opens a Record Store in Cleveland
- A Pandemic Job Loss Inspired This Coffee Shop Owner To Make His Dream a Reality
- Single Mom Makes Custom Candies as a Sweet Side Hustle
- North Carolina Performance Venue Survives a 421-Day Closure Amid the Pandemic
- A Texas Photographer Captures All of Life’s Meaningful Moments
- New Jersey Fitness Studio Provides a Haven for Women To Get Fit and Have Fun
- A Family-Run Cooking School Teaches Kids To Love Healthy Foods
- There’s a Moving (and Sweet) Story Behind This Marshmallow Specialty Shop
- Trusting ‘Crazy Ideas’ Has Helped This Honolulu Boutique To Thrive
- A Handmade Bow Company Brings Some Extra Sparkle to Indiana and Beyond
- Meet the Husband and Wife Team Behind an Innovative Pest Control Company
- This Ohio Burger Joint Treats Every Customer Like Family
- A Dream Fulfilled: Restaurateur Brings Caribbean Flavors To Colorado Springs
- After Working at the Top Bakeries in the Country, She Opened Her Own
- This Recent College Grad Is Already Making an Impression on the Photography World
- A Family-Run Burger Joint in Omaha Adds Value (and Deliciousness) To Its Local Community
- Single Mom Makes Throwing ‘FabuLESSevents’ Affordable
- This San Diego Performing Arts School Teaches a Hip-Hop Education Curriculum
- This Company Is Bringing Inspiring Messages to the World Through Its Talented Speaker Roster
- This Black-Owned Skincare Line Is an Expression of ‘Love for the Earth and Humanity’
- This Bakeshop Brings a Taste of the Philippines to the West Coast
- This Alabama Baker Is Bringing a Slice of Heaven Down to Earth
- This Ohio Cake Boutique Will Create the Custom Dessert of Your Dream
- This West Coast Vintage Garage Invites Customers To Step Back in Time
- Former Pizza Shop Manager Now Makes Organic Food for Dogs
To return to the Small Business Spotlight page click here.