Press Kit

Good News from Mt Washington Valley, NH – June 5, 2019

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331,  PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

A Baker’s Dozen Out-of-the-Big-Box Shopping Experiences in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway, NH – Mt Washington Valley has been named one of the best shopping experiences in Northern New England, for its fabulous collection of outlets and the shops in North Conway, NH.  Drawn to New Hampshire for its tax-free shopping, the region offers more than 200 shops, outlets, boutiques and stores in one of the last states in the country to hold out on sales tax.  With Settlers Green’s outlet complex the anchor on North Conway’s shopping strip, and the White Mountain Independents - collectively marketing independently owned stores - there’s plenty of talk about shopping in Mt Washington Valley, NH. 

Every shop, store and outlet in Mt Washington Valley offers up a fine collection of unique fashion, gift, food, athletic, art, kitchen or specialty items.  The list of offerings goes on and on.  Yet there’s a collection of shopping experiences in Mt Washington Valley that are outside the box, offering either unique items or an amazing shopping experience.  Browse all of Mt Washington Valley’s retailers at www.MtWashingtonvalley.org.  Simply click on SHOP for a complete list of tax-free shopping opportunities in the Valley. 

Let’s take a look at some of these more extraordinary shopping adventures in Mt Washington Valley.  

Train shop at Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway, NH – For “trainiacs” big and small, there’s a treasure trove of train-related toys, books,  and more here.  You’ll find train themed gifts, ornaments, pens, and so much more.  It’s the “little train shop that could” and an ideal retailer for the train collector and lover in the family.   You’ll also find train items and “Cog Items” at the Mt Washington Cog Railway’s gift shop too.  Add in a ride on either of these trains and you’ve had the most memorable day for those who love trains.

The Handcrafters Barn, North Conway, NH – Considered one of the country's largest and most creative craft galleries, this post and beam barn in North Conway Village offers up more than 150 artisan booths.  It’s like a 24-7 craft fair with everything from funky to fine, country to contemporary, and even some delicious offerings too.  Don’t miss this virtual emporium of gifts, foods, home décor, jewelry, toys, apparel and so much more.  And don’t miss the next door Country Cottage, replete with foods and home décor too.  You can’t miss these two buildings – they’re the pink cottage and barn just outside North Conway Village.

Custom labeled wines at White Mountain Winery, North Conway Village:  Taste several different custom made wines and choose one for that for your special day or gift.  Next, work with staff to customize a memorable label for your wine and purchase as much or as little as you want.  The customized wines are perfect for weddings, parties, anniversaries, birthdays, and more.  Your one-of-a-kind label on the wine you’ve chosen makes this a unique gift or collector’s item. 

Beggar’s Pouch, North Conway, NH – Since 1978, the leather workers here have been creating leather goods in the gambrel roofed building found in North Conway Village.  This is a working leather shop – watch the artisans here at work as they create everything from belts to backpacks, and hats to handbags.  Need a belt for Uncle Jo with a 50+ inch waist?  No problem.  Special orders are a specialty here.  Family owned and operated, the Beggar’s pouch celebrates 40+ years of specialty leather working by hand here. 

The Penguin Gallery of NH, North Conway, NH – They call this a “destination gift store”, and indeed, you’re likely to spend hours poking through this gift gallery. With over 10,000 unique and trendy items in the store, you'll find a lot more than just penguins. But for those who collect them, you will find some adorable penguins in all shapes, sizes and materials here.  From gadgets to greeting cards and a wide range of hilarious kitchen gadgets, this is the place to go for that hard-to-shop-for. Don’t miss the New Hampshire Wine Store section of this gallery, filled with not only New Hampshire-made wines, but also wine gifts made by New Hampshire artisans.

Four Your Paws Only, North Conway, NH - Also known as the "local canine hangout," this award winning, pet-friendly store caters to pets and their owners. Look for unique pet themed gifts, a pet bakery with handmade/small batch/natural ingredient treats your dog and cat will drool over. There’s an in-store Puppy Playroom where they host walk-in Doggie Playgroups every Saturday and Sundays,  at no charge too.

Ravenwood Curio Shop, Jackson, NH – Drive through the Jackson Covered Bridge and the whimsical stone and wooden cottage will surely catch your eye.  Inside, the whimsy continues with a collection of everything from pottery to glass work to artworks.  In the summer months customers can walk through the gardens of Ravenwood. There you will enjoy the enchanting fantasy world of wizards, dragons, fairies and elves.

REI Co-op, North Conway, NH: Outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open its first New Hampshire location at Settlers Crossing in September 2019. This will be REI’s first-ever outdoor experience center, offering 25,000 square feet of  gear rentals, high-end equipment demos and guided outdoor experiences along with the REI products everyone loves and knows from their other stores. It’s an outdoor experience inside a brand new retail store.

Mt Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center gift shop, North Conway, NH - For weather junkies, the gift shop at the Weather Discovery Center is pure heaven!  You’ll find a wide range of weather-related gifts, instruments, books, astronomy oriented things, and unusual items. The bonus here is that you get to visit the Weather Discovery Center too – the only museum in the country totally dedicated to weather.

White Mountain Puzzles, Jackson, NH - For over 30 years, White Mountain Puzzles has crafted the highest quality puzzles for the entire family to enjoy.  Imagine a store filled with colorful jigsaw puzzles from recognized artists, available for all ages and all levels of difficulty. From jigsaw puzzles (their specialty) to intellectual puzzles, books and more you’re surrounded by perfect puzzles for all ability levels here.

Cigar Shenanigans, North Conway, NH – Put together a humidor that cigar aficionados die for, with a fine selection of spirits, and you’ve got a great place to purchase then enjoy a cheroot (and also to find out what that word means!)., With a huge walk-in humidor, room for private parties and entertainment, and a cozy fireplace lounge, those who love cigars will feel right at home whether you are a cigar enthusiast, or not. The folks here travel the world to learn more about cigars and their culture.  Visit here to have your questions answered.     

Settlers Green playscapes & paintings, North Conway, NH – Settlers Green and Settlers Crossing offer the largest collection of outlets in the region in one village setting.  Stroll through this collection of 60+ outlets, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the  locally and regionally created sculptures, playscapes - like a musical playground- selfie-spots and beautiful murals and gardens. There’s even a fabulous stone ping pong table for shoppers’ use.  Add in coffee shops, restaurants, the SoakingPot Infusion Spa, and you see that they’ve elevated the shopping experience here to new levels. 

Our General Stores:  You’ll find two general stores and a five and dime in Mt Washington Valley. Zeb’s General Store in the heart of North Conway Village offers the largest collection of New England made specialty foods in the country plus so much more! Everything you find here is made in New England, from food to soaps and lotions, toys, books, kitchen gadgets and more.  Venture up through the Jackson Covered Bridge and right beyond is Flossie’s General Store & Emporium, filled with affordable souvenirs, unique home décor, artworks and toys.  Both offer a nostalgic look back to yesteryear complete with wooden floors and penny candy counters!

To learn more about shopping, shopping vacations and visiting Mt Washington Valley, NH go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-367-3364.  To learn more about visiting tax-free New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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Photo credited to WiseguyCreative.com – please use this photo credit if you use this photo.

Additional photos available online at the MWV Flickr Gallery or request photos from Marti Mayne at PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org.