Press Kit

Good news from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – December 3, 2019

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

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY BUSINESSES REPORT STRONG THANKGIVING WEEKEND

They came, they shopped, they skied, they ate and they relaxed

North Conway, NH – Between the recent announcement by USA Today’s 10Best that North Conway is one of the top two ski towns in North America and the town’s reputation for tax-free shopping and outdoor adventure, the whole Mt Washington Valley region has enjoyed good notoriety over the past month.  Add in early snow and ski resorts opening by mid-November, and there have been plenty of draws for visitors to the Valley throughout November.  The Thanksgiving weekend was no exception, with businesses reporting to an informal survey from the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce that the weekend was strong. 

“With six less shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, shoppers were perhaps more determined than in past years to come to not only the perfect shopping destination, but one that’s tax-free too,” commented Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.  “Mt Washington Valley offers a little something for everyone – 200 tax-free outlets and shops, ski resorts, indoor attractions, fabulous lodging and dining.  Early season snow has added to the spirit of the season too,” noted Crawford.

The entire month of November has been very strong for Settler’s Green, shared Laura Lemieux, Director of Marketing. “The Bring A Friend celebration was a total hit; it was a perfect start to the holiday shopping season,” said Lemieux.  “We've really had a great fall overall starting with a record-breaking Columbus Day Weekend for many stores and restaurants. Overall, sales were up over last year for most stores on Thanksgiving weekend anywhere from 5 to 15-percent on Black Friday. On average, traffic was up about 10-percent on Black Friday, too” she reported.

Timothy Psaledakis, owner of Jewelry by Timothy Psaledakis and Friends, located in North Conway Village described the weekend as “record breaking”.  “We topped all numbers for the 25 years I’ve been a jeweler in this valley,” he told the Chamber. “We held our only sale of the year on Small Business Saturday, offering a stunning selection of fine jewelry including  sapphires from Montana, along with tourmalines from Maine set in 14kt, 18kt gold and platinum. Folks drove from as far as Rhode Island and Connecticut to wait outside our door - some as early as 7:00am for doors to open at 10:00am,” reported Tim excitedly.

Lodging Chamber members reported that guests came to the Valley to shop and unwind.  “We had a gang of gals rent the Inn for two nights.  They were here to shop and relax,” said Cat Pucci, co-owner of the White Birch Inn of North Conway.  Charlie Mallar, co-owner of the 1785 Inn told the chamber that his guests were mostly there to here to relax, sit by a fire and work on a puzzle. 

Jen Kovach, co-owner of Snowvillage Inn told the chamber the inn and restaurant were sold out over the Thanksgiving weekend, “Many guests went on a hike one day and then went into town to do some shopping on the other,” she shared.

The Conway Scenic Railroad benefitted from all the shoppers in the region too.  “We were up 37-percent over last year’s Thanksgiving Day weekend,” Susan Logan, Manager of Marketing and Events at Conway Scenic Railroad, told the chamber  “We added cars because of demand, and Friday and Saturday were essentially sold out.  Sunday was up 90-percent over Sunday last year.  Having more seats accounted for much of that, but I also think that, because Thanksgiving was a week closer to Christmas this year, there were more people in town, shopping and getting into the “Christmas spirit,” Logan reported.

With all the pent-up energy for shopping, Cranmore Mountain Resort finished the weekend slightly behind last year for skiing and riding but the Tubing and Mountain Adventure Park were rocking. “We finished slightly  behind last year for skiing and riding.  Yet the tubing and the Mountain Adventure Park were far ahead of last year, finishing 35-percent over last year's holiday week,” said Becca Deschenes, Director of Marketing for Cranmore Mountain Resort.  “Last year we had a lot of natural snow on the ground, which could account for the difference in skiers.  However, overall it was a great weekend, and a strong start to the season,” she finished.

And despite big Thanksgiving dinners, shoppers got hungry over the holiday weekend.  Ken Donabedian, General Manager of Priscilla's Country Kitchen in North Conway, told the chamber that sales were 3-percent up over 2018 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend.  He also observed that the 6:00 to 9:00am hours were not as busy with shoppers waiting to start a little later this year.

For more information on shopping, skiing, winter adventure and getaways to Mt Washington Valley, visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org .  To talk to a vacation concierge, call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH).  To learn more about year-round New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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 Photo shows Black Friday shoppers at Settlers Green.  Settlers Green photo.