New Business: Ziggi's opens 1st NH location in Meredith; other coffee chains continue to expand

Jan. 20—THE OPTIONS for coffee keep growing with a new chain opening its first Granite State location in the Lakes Region. The brand has been around for 20 years, but is just starting to appear in New England.

Ziggi's Coffee opened in Meredith last week with Derek Beaudoin and Andrew Button as franchise owners. The only other New England location is planned for Saco, Maine, and the next closest is Clayton, North Carolina. The Saco store is "coming soon," according to its website.

The concept is a drive-thru and walk-up window, which has been a growing model in the coffee world in recent years.

Beaudoin said the two looked at several franchise opportunities before choosing to bring the brand to 337 Daniel Webster Highway.

"Ziggi's truly stood out to us over the rest. The diverse menu, the welcoming atmosphere, and the brand recognition were key factors that drew us to opening our own Ziggi's," Beaudoin said in a statement.

Ziggi's — founded in 2004 in Colorado — specializes in "only the finest roasted coffee," according to a news release. The brand has 80 locations nationwide and 200 additional planned.

A grand opening in Meredith is planned for Jan. 27.

Coffee in the air

With a similar concept, Aroma Joe's continues to expand in New Hampshire.

Construction is underway at the Mobil gas station at 1095 Hanover St. in Manchester in the spot of a former Nadeau's Subs. Accommodations are being made for a drive-thru on the building.

This comes after the city's third Aroma Joe's opened at 527 Hooksett Road with on Jan. 8.

Aroma Joe's was founded in 2000 and has 113 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.

Since 2019, Aroma Joe's has promised to only use Rainforest Alliance Certified beans in its bean blends.

Running on Dunkin'

Does the Southern New Hampshire University campus run on Dunkin'?

"Of course it does!" the college wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. A Dunkin' location opened in the school's Academic Center. A sign on the wall reads "SNHU runs on Dunkin'"

It doesn't have a drive-thru, but it's sure to drive plenty of foot traffic.

Closing chapter

Open for more than a decade in Portsmouth, Book & Bar, a full-service bookstore, restaurant, bar and live entertainment venue, is closing for good on Jan. 28, according to the bar's social media. The shop has a curated selection of more than 10,000 new and used books.

The business opened in 2012.

"For over a decade Book & Bar has been more than a business; it has been a home away from home for so many people: readers, writers, thinkers, drinkers, poets, and performers," a post on its website says.

Sustaining the business had become challenging and the closing was unavoidable, the post says.

"To each person who contributed to this journey — our dedicated staff, loyal patrons, talented performers, and the community at large — we owe an immense debt," the post continues. "Without your ardent support, warm smiles, your music and your conversations, Book & Bar would not have flourished. We extend to you our heartfelt gratitude."

The shop is located in Portsmouth's old Custom House and Post Office, designed by Ammi Young and built in 1860, according to its website. The building is on the market for $5.8 million, but the listing is unrelated to the closing.

All American

Helen's Place, an American restaurant, opened on Jan. 13 at the Rumbrook Plaza in Grantham. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, pizza and entrees like Butler's Baby Backs ($19).

The logo features a brick oven with the slogan, "Feels like family, tastes like home."

The restaurant opened in the former space of the Farmer's Table Cafe, which relocated to the Newport Golf Club.

"I thank all of my guests and friends for the past 3 years in Grantham," wrote Farmer's Table owner Randy White on Facebook in September. "I certainly hope to see you all in Newport soon!"

The Farmer's Table opened on Oct. 7.

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