a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
 
 
The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local! 
 
 
 
 
Good Afternoon! 

We want to take a moment to thank all of you who have donated to help support our mission over this past week. With many worthy causes out there, doing great work in the community, we appreciate you putting some of your support behind our organization and work. This Giving Tuesday we raised about 20% of our year end fundraising goal, breaking $1,000 in donations! This funding will be especially important in the months ahead, as we regroup and plan for 2021, generate alternate programs for the spring, and hope for a return to some of our larger scale events and popular fundraisers next summer. Thank you! From all of your friends here in Downtown Nashua! 

We’ll continue to work to keep the good energy going in our community, and hope you get a change to enjoy some of the alternate offerings this month that we”ve put together, like the Dazzling December holiday lighting contest and map, the Distrx self guided public art tour, and other fun and exciting things you’ll find here in The Downtowner. 

​​​​​​​Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, 

Paul Shea

Executive Director
Great American Downtown

If you’re able to help support our work, and donate towards our year end fundraising goals – please consider making a donation here. 

 
 
 
            
 
 
 
For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
 
 
Explore our website
 
 
Photo of the Week
 
 
 
 
Our photo of the week, taken by Great American Downtown’s Program Coordinator Jenn Annand, shows some of our enthusiastic shoppers from last week’s Plaid Friday event.
We’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to the hundreds of folks who joined us to Shop Small and keep our buying dollars in the community. Our neighbor-owned small businesses took a big hit in this difficult year, and they were extremely grateful to see you all. Many told us this was their best Plaid Friday turn-out to date – so THANK YOU!
If you have more holiday shopping to do, please consider strolling our beautiful Main Street shops in Downtown Nashua, and help our community continue to thrive!
 
 
 
 
Do you have some great pictures of our vibrant Downtown you’d like to show off? Post them to our Facebook page, or send them to us by email! We love to share images that capture the beauty and excitement of Downtown Nashua. 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
TONIGHT: WEBINAR TO DISCUSS NEW RAIL TRAIL
 
 
 
 
What is the Souhegan Valley Rail Trail? – public webinar
7 pm Thursday, Dec. 3
Imagine a place where walkers, runners, bicyclists, wheelchair users, inline skaters, horseback riders, and more—of all ages and abilities—feel safe to move throughout the Souhegan Valley for transportation and recreation.
The Friends of the Souhegan Valley Rail Trail will be hosting a webinar to discuss the prospect of a 16-mile rail trail through the heart of the region.
The Hillsborough Branch rail line is for sale from East Nashua to Wilton Center, offering the chance to include a rail trail in the right of way. This could provide a vital alternative transportation corridor for the entire region.
For more information, visit the Facebook event page, and register below!
 
 
PRE-REGISTER NOW!
 
 
 
FRIDAY: TRY OUR WINNERS’ COOKIES!
 
 
 
 
Congratulations, Amelia and Becca!
National Cookie Day!
Friday, Dec. 4
FRIDAY IS NATIONAL COOKIE DAY! Come to Downtown Nashua and try the two Judges’ Choice cookies from our Nom Nom November Kids’ Cookie Recipe Contest!
Our friends at Jajabelles and Riverwalk Cafe will bake and have available for purchase 5-year-old Amelia’s Candy Bucket Cookies (at Riverwalk) and 13-year-old Becca’s Rocky Road Cookie Bars (at jajaBelles). Be sure to stop by and enjoy these treats by our talented local kids!
CONGRATULATIONS to all our wonderful young bakers! Check out the free downloadable booklet of all 24 recipes by clicking below!
 
 
COOKIE RECIPES!
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
SATURDAY: SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO NASHUA!
 
 
 
 
Santa in the Park
Noon–2 pm
Greeley Park bandshell
100 Concord Street
Santa’s coming to town!
Come join us at the Greeley Park Bandshell and meet him!

Drop in anytime to visit with Santa and take a photo with him! All children will also receive a free gift!
Please note all social distancing and mask guidelines will be followed. Masks are required at all times (except during photo op with Santa) and social distancing is required when possible.
Ho ho hope to see you there!
 
 
 
 
DOWNTOWN NOTES
 
 
 
 
Martha’s has live music, and takeout and delivery
Starting this week, Martha’s Exchange Restaurant and Brewery, at 185 Main Street, will offer delivery service again. They will also continue to offer you takeout and curbside pickup.
Their full menu, seasonal specials, 16-oz. cans, 32-oz. Crowlers and 64-oz. Growlers are all available to be dropped off at your door!
Call in your order or click HERE for online  ordering. 
Happy Hour 
4–6 pm Monday–Friday (bar only).  
$6 apps and BOGO drinks.
Burger Monday
All day every Monday.
$12 deal: 8-oz. burgers and 16-oz. draft beer.
 
 
 
 
Scontsas will be open extra hours for holiday shopping
Scontsas Fine Jewelry and Home Decor, at 169-173 Main Street, announced it will be open daily with extended hours, for your holiday shopping needs.
The landmark Downtown Nashua business will be open seven days a week:
11 am–5 pm Mon.–Wed.
11 am–6 pm Thur.–Fri.
10 am–4 pm Saturdays
Noon–4 pm Sundays
Be sure to stop in and see their wide variety of stunning jewelry and sophisticated home decor. Phil and Amalia Scontsas and their friendly team look forward to seeing and assisting you!
 
 
 
 
 
DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL HOLIDAY EVENT!
 
 
 
 
Fortin Gage presents Gerald Charles Dickens
exciting virtual event!
Since 2009, during the holiday season, Fortin Gage Flowers and Gifts has partnered with Byers’ Choice LTD to bring Gerald Dickens â€“ great-great grandson to the renowned author – to Nashua to perform A Christmas Carol, along with other classic works by Charles Dickens. It’s become a tradition so many of you look forward to, as do we!
Unfortunately, Gerald’s US tour will not take place in 2020, but we do have great news for you today! Gerald recently filmed his one-man adaptation of his great-great grandfather’s beloved A Christmas Carol, and Fortin Gage is a 2020 local sponsor for the film scheduled for release on Thanksgiving Day.
Fortin Gage continues its 12-year annual commitment to return a portion of the proceeds from A Christmas Carol right back into our community. In 2020,

Nashua PAL and Great American Downtown will be the recipients. 
All tickets will be available via a special link from Fortin Gage. Using that link will ensure their ability to share proceeds from this streaming event with GAD and Nashua PAL. That information will be shared on Thursday!
Rental of the film for 7 days will be offered for $20 for your whole family to enjoy. We’ll share links and more information in the coming days on the Great American Downtown page. 
Gerald is an absolute delight and consummate performer. Stay in the loop with us and Fortin Gage, and be sure to tune in!
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTN: WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
 
 
 
 
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Every year, Nashua Transit promotes the state DBE program – a certification for small businesses owned by women or minorities, giving them an equal opportunity to compete for state and local contracts.
Are you a female or minority small business owner? You may be eligible for DBE certification! The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is a federally funded program administered by the Federal Transit Administration and is intended to provide contracting opportunities to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged groups and individuals. There are many benefits to becoming a certified DBE, including:
  • Free business development services.
  • Access to training & networking opportunities.
  • Compete for federal contracts on a level playing field.
  • Receive bidding information for upcoming projects.
  • A business listing in the state’s DBE directory to help your company gain access to even more contract opportunities.
For more information or to find out if you’re eligible for DBE, please contact:
Larisa Djuvelek-Ruggiero
NH DOT DBE COORDINATOR
7 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03302-0483
Phone: 603-271-6612
 
 
LEARN MORE
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND!
 
 
 
 
Above: Ralph Allen
 
 
 
 
Martha’s Exchange Restaurant at 185 Main Street has live entertainment Saturdays from 8–10 pm, with Matt the Sax.
Fratello’s at 194 Main Street has live entertainment Mondays–Thursdays 5:30–8:30 pm and Fridays and Saturdays 5:30–9 pm.
This weekend:
Thursday – Ralph Allen
Friday – Jeff Mrozek
Saturday – Dough Thompson
Sunday – Chris Cavanaugh
 
 
 
 
ARE YOU A DOWNTOWN VENUE
PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC?
LET US KNOW!
Please email us at [email protected] with your upcoming musicians, so we can share the info with our readers!
 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
 
 
 
 
Great American Downtown is a Nashua based 501c3 Nonprofit Corporation that provides coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Learn all about our wide variety of programs here.
We’re happy to share information about your upcoming event in and around Downtown Nashua! If you would like to submit an event to be featured in The Downtowner, or are interested in any other sponsorship and marketing opportunities through Great American Downtown, contact our Downtown Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].
 
 
 
 
DowntownNashua.org    â€¢   [email protected]   â€¢   603.883.5700