New Business: Winni Rum Shack brings island vibe to Laconia; Wendy's to open two new spots

Mar. 1—A LITTLE TASTE of paradise has arrived at Weirs Beach.

Keith and Monique O'Leary opened Winni Rum Shack across the street from Funspot, which claims to be the largest arcade in the world, off the Daniel Webster Highway in Laconia.

The place, which opened at Tiki Plaza, offers "a low-key vibe, Island-inspired food & largest selection of Rum & handcrafted Rum concoctions in the region," according to its Facebook account.

Keith O'Leary said the area has a lot of traditional or biker-themed restaurants, and they wanted to bring something new in hopes of drawing more people to the popular tourist spot on Lake Winnipesaukee.

"They are saying, 'Hey, this feels like I am in Florida,'" he said. "The vibe that people are getting from Winni Rum Shack seems to be hitting the spot. People are really excited about it."

The weekends have "just been killer," with O'Leary having a tough time staffing the restaurant to keep up with demand.

The O'Learys also own and operate the Craft Beer Xchange out of the Lawrence Manor, an old resort property, which is home to the Witches Brew Pub and the Weirs Beach Beer Garden. The place opened in 2020 during the COVID-19.

The signature drink is the Winni Painkiller, made with Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut and freshly grated nutmeg. The name of the drink is trademarked.

"That's really been taking off," O'Leary said. "People have been coming in specifically for the Winni Painkillers."

The place has a full liquor license, but specializes in rum, of course.

"I would say that I have over 80 different rum options," O'Leary said. "I have 15 different sipping rums that you either sip them straight and neat or you put one ice cube in and you enjoy the rum just like that."

The full menu is focused on island-inspired foods, including Cuban sandwiches, Jamaican jerk, bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp dishes.

Tropical attire hasn't quite caught on yet with the clientele.

"It has been so cold, but they are already talking about throwing on their Hawaiian shirts and coming out on a Friday night," O'Leary said.

The couple wants to help promote Weirs Beach as a destination with its variety of businesses.

"We want to be a part of the fabric of the Weirs Beach area that is undergoing this revitalization," he said. "We want people to know that it's not the Weirs Beach of old. There are a lot of new and exciting things going on."

Family Dollar to Flip Side

Also in Laconia, The Flip Side restaurant opened in the former Family Dollar and will serve up breakfast and lunch for now.

The renovated space includes live-edge wooden countertops and custom-made booths. The menu features omelets for $7.99 and classic breakfast and lunch plates. Don't forget to check the specials.

The restaurant, which opened on Feb. 15, has a greater purpose.

"The goal is to provide a place where people with developmental challenges, disabilities and physical challenges and disabilities can be employed, empowered and a part of the community," a Facebook post reads.

Wendy's to expand

Wendy's is ready to expand with two new locations in North Conway and Claremont.

The restaurants are being developed under the company's build-to-suit program, which will be owned and operated by a franchisee. The program is designed to empower franchise owners and spur expansion, according to a news release.

The North Conway restaurant will be part of a project at 1657 White Mountain Highway, which also includes space for another 5,460-square-foot restaurant and shops.

The proposed 2,228-square-foot Wendy's is designed to have 36 seats and a drive-thru.

Chicken with a twist

A new chicken place, Crispy Delight, opened at 62 Crystal Ave. in Derry. The cuisine features "chicken with a Chinese twist." The menu features chicken burgers, popcorn chicken, tenders, wings, cheese sticks, onion rings, waffle/french fries, scallion pancakes, dumplings, spring rolls and bubble tea.

The Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 21.

New digs

The New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet opened in a new spot in Nashua.

The liquor commission relocated the outlet at the Westside Plaza to the former Pier 1 Imports in the same plaza. The building is 12,500 square feet

Since 2012, the commission has renovated, relocated or built more than 40 New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet locations in 36 communities, according to a news release.

A new 20,000-square-foot outlet is planned for the Market Basket Plaza on the Keene/Swanzey border.

If you have an interesting business or commercial real estate story idea email reporter Jonathan Phelps at jphelps@unionleader.com.