Press Kit
Mt Washington Valley businesses report strong and positive July 4th sales
Good news from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – July 9, 2019
Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org
WARM WEATHER & 4-DAYS OF FESTIVITIES DREW RECORD CROWDS TO MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH FOR JULY 4TH WEEKEND
North Conway, NH – With a sunny forecast and a four-day weekend for most, Mt Washington Valley, NH was a magnet for July 4th holiday vacationers. An estimated record-breaking 10,000 people gathered in Schouler Park for July 4th entertainment and fireworks, according to Conway Police. Businesses throughout the valley reported a strong holiday weekend with as much as 37-percent increases in sales over last year.
“When a holiday falls on a Thursday and we get a warm weather forecast, we know we’ll have a good weekend in Mt Washington Valley,” observed Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Add to that a packed event schedule, four days in a row of fireworks, and sunny and warm weather, and we have everything we need for a very successful holiday weekend, which we had,” finished Crawford.
The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce conducted an informal post-holiday weekend survey of member businesses and heard positive feedback from virtually everyone who responded. Retailers in North Conway Village were particularly happy with the increases in sales they saw from large crowds.
Deborah Jasien, Owner/Maker at Fields of Ambrosia BATH-BODY-AROMA in North Conway Village told the chamber that she observed huge traffic on the 4th & 5th of July and then a 25-percent increase in sales over last year on July 6th and 7th. She attributed the increase to cooler and cloudier weather on the weekend, driving business into the stores.
Timothy W. Psaledakis of Jewelry By Tim and Friends, also in North Conway Village, told the chamber that sales doubled over last year for the first week in July. “The favorable weather certainly did help and the heat only encouraged the shoppers to spend more time in the air conditioned stores,” said Tim. In addition, he attributed his sales increases to the addition of hand engraving and “while-you-wait” service options, explaining that people actually bring items while on vacation to be re-pronged, sized or engraved while they wait.
On the lodging side, Jen Kovach co-owner and innkeeper at the Snowvillage Inn shared that the inn saw a 10-to-15-percent increase in room sales over last year. “Between July fourth falling on a Thursday and the weather being spectacular, folks came to the area. People were here to go to weddings, getaway weekend, camp pick up, guided adventures like kayaking and mountain biking, and just relax, hike and dine. We noticed folks were traveling multi-generationally too,” Jen told the chamber.
The Inn at Thorn Hill reported a 20% increase in room sales over last year for the four days around the holiday. “We had an abundance of British/ Great Britain guests in who were on a Boston - North Conway - Acadia circuit. They chose all four and five diamond hotels to stay at for an unbelievable four nights at each location,” Steve Lambert, Inn at Thorn Hill partner/innkeeper, told the chamber. “Plus, our water seeking guests, coming from Boston, Connecticut and New York City are increasing as they enjoy the cooler nights and access to waterfalls here - they’re landlocked in their respective cities and love the proximity to forests and water we offer,” finished Lambert.
Visitors hit Mt Washington Valley’s attractions and golf courses over the four-day weekend too. Beth Scrimger, Owner of Mystery NH, shared that business was up by 28-percent for the week. Chances are people wanted to spend some time inside air conditioned places during the hot sultry days.
Jonathan Rivers, of Indian Mound Golf Club told the chamber that amazing weather contributed to a strong weekend there. “Golf plus food and beverage was fantastic - better than expected for such hot weather. It was another great holiday weekend with lots of happy golfers,” he shared.
Lauren Hawkins, Director of Marketing at Story Land, shared that sales were even with 2018, and that both years have been considered very strong. “Overall the weather has been similar the last two years - hot and humid. Overall the week of 4th of July was great with comparable attendance and overall park spending,” she finished.
At Cranmore Mountain Resort, Becca Deschenes, Director of Marketing, revealed that the entire first week of July, through the holiday weekend was strong. “For the week we were up 15-percent over the same period last year. Looking at just fourth of July visit, we were up 37-percent in admissions. On the 4th we held our annual Americana Celebration, with live music from local band, Shark Martin, BBQ and yard games. We saw a good turnout from not only guests in the park, but guests coming in just for the event which is good to see it grow finishing up its 3rd year,” she told the Chamber. “Overall it’s been a strong summer and we’re pacing ahead of last summer’s visits, and our budgeted numbers,” she finished.
Visitors also hit the restaurants in Mt Washington Valley. Genn Anzaldi, owner of J-Town Deli & Country Store in Jackson, had nothing but positive comments about the July 4th holiday weekend. “The weather was perfect for folks and the 4th falling on a Thursday was wonderful! It was a perfect storm for maximum customers… and gas prices stayed low, too! And we have a wonderful staff to boot,” she told representatives at the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.
And at Max’s Restaurant and Pub at Snowvillage Inn in Eaton, dinner reservations were up significantly according to Jen Kovach. “Our diners were our inn guests, off the street (finding us on Yelp and Trip Advisor), and our summer locals bringing their family up for the Max's Experience: Drinks on the porch then dinner in the mountain-view dining room,” she said.
All indicators – including lower-than-last-year gas prices, strong consumer confidence and long range bookings – show that Mt Washington Valley is poised for a very strong summer and fall for area businesses. The all-important weather and not-to-be-discounted weather forecast will be a final determining factor for summer sales in Mt Washington Valley.
For complete trip planning resources and information, visit www.MtWashingtonvValley.org or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep. To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
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Photos of July 4th celebrations in Schouler Park and over Jackson Covered Bridge are provided by Wiseguy Creative and the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. They may be used, but credit to WiseguyCreative.com must be included and is a condition for use of these photos.