It also creates higher-level roles in management for Nashua residents (GM, Executive Chef etc...). Chain restaurants (on
Amherst ST and DW highway) don't always have these roles and their profits are often shipped out of the city/state to
their parent location. For example, Go to Chillis and your profits are going to Texas, go to Applebees and your profits are
going to California. | have nothing against chain restaurants, I’m sure some Nashua residents also work there, but they
simply do not hire many “executive” roles locally.
In addition, restaurants require a lot of upkeep. There is a lot of wear and tear when you are serving thousands of
people per week. Add 30% in sales generates work not only for restaurant staff but our food suppliers, local farms,
liquor store staff, beer suppliers, truckers, cleaners, linens (Falvey), plumbers, electricians, hardware stores,
merchandise, Uber drivers, taxi, handymen, babysitters, musicians, artists, ... the list goes on.
Locally-owned restaurants are more likely to use local help for these needs when we can. | use Wells for plumbing
(Nashua company), MintPrintworks for my staff uniforms (Nashua company), Loren Morse for my electrical (Nashua
company), All Clean for my cleaners (Nashua company), Bellevance Beverage (Nashua), Alphagraphics (Nashua), Falvey
Linen (Nashua) and the list goes on. It’s not just about the people that work at the restaurant, but those that work to
support restaurant operations.
6.) Charitable Contributions. Locally owned (downtown) businesses are much more likely to make local charitable
contributions. The more profits, the more contributions. Front Door Agency, Soup Kitchen, Jenny Fund, and many
youth sports programs are just a few ways we have recently contributed to.
7.) NH collects 8.5% meals and entertainment tax. This is strictly for restaurants, hotels and hospitality. No retail or
other service industry (law, dental, pharmacy, etc...) is required to pay M&E taxes. This represents A LOT of money
the state can send back to local municipalities to off-set property taxes and other needed projects. Literally millions per
year.
8.) It’s bad for retail?!? This talking point is grossly inaccurate. It’s good for all. You know what's bad for
retail...Amazon. You know what's bad for retail... mask mandates. You know what's bad for retail...being closed when
thousands of people are walking by your store at night and on weekends. The barriers have zero negative impact on
downtown retail success...unless you consider increased exposure and advertising to potential shoppers negative. The
majority of retail establishments downtown remain open during the day during the week (when the majority of our
population are working). That is a choice. The barriers have ZERO impact on travel during the day (9am-Spm)...literally
zero. Astute and agile retail business owners have thrived over the last few years. See MyOptic, DesignWares,
Camaraderie. In fact, retail psychology 101 says if someone puts more effort into getting to your establishment, they
are far more likely to buy something and spend more money when they do. Individuals sitting in cars on Main St are
literally looking at your storefront for longer periods of time. Larger retailers pay millions for such exposure! As far as
parking, if “customers” can’t walk two blocks to get to your shop no offense but they probably don’t value you!
9.) Slows down traffic. People shouldn’t be ripping down Main St at 50mph. This is a family community, | want to see
families, kids dogs walking downtown. Not sure why anyone would promote speeding down Main St...it’s just
wild. Unless you are going to Main St, you should not be on Main St. It seems so simple and intuitive to me...not sure
why people want it to be a thruway. Probably just because it is convenient for them. It’s weird and frankly it’s
selfish.
10.) Downtown should be a place to go to, not to go through. A good Main St is the destination, not part of the
journey.
Posted by Stella Blu 2/28 on FB/Insta
The past two years have presented enormous challenges to our community driven mostly by the pandemic and related
economic uncertainties. One of the bright spots of this period was the expansion of outdoor dining in downtown
Nashua. It allowed individuals the opportunity to come together to dine, shop, walk and enjoy the outdoors during the
precious moments of a New England summer. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Nashua to enjoy this unique
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