Independents Week, July 1-7, celebrates our region’s strong entrepreneurial spirit. Our uniquely local independent businesses offer great deals and fun events all week!
We’re making a choice about the future of the Seacoast: Our proudly independent entrepreneurs provide us with a robust diversity of goods, services, time, talent, knowledge, passion, and jobs. They build our economy, add local character, and support community because it’s their home, too. They even have a widespread impact on health and well-being—did you know, places with a greater proportion of small businesses have higher voter participation?
When we spend here, our money sticks here: Every dollar spent at a locally owned, independent business goes on to generate 2-3 times more economic activity in our communities than a dollar spent at a national chain, and benefits all of us much more than a dollar spent elsewhere. That’s a lot of energy to power our local economy, all year round.
Thousands of visitors and locals are exploring the Seacoast this week, investing in our future and spreading the word. Use the list below of participating businesses and holiday deals to plan your #IndieWeek adventures!
Here’s some fun things to get you started…
Dover
Dover Fireworks
Henry Law Park and the surrounding downtown areas are the best locations to view the fireworks on Monday, July 4. Starting at 7 p.m., enjoy a performance by the 39th Army Band at the Rotary Arts Pavilion. Fireworks pop at 9:15.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
Through July: The Mini Maker Faire returns on Saturday, Aug. 27, and early-bird tickets are just $8 per person in July (kids under age 6 are free). Makers are the epitome of independents—people who are crafty tinkerers, artistic engineers, or garage hobbyists who want to show what they are making and share what they are learning. Get tickets, or sign up as a Maker or vendor yourself, at www.makerfairedover.com, and save the date on August 27!
Kittery
Just Us Chickens
Locally hatched hand crafts, gifts and cards
Through July: Valerie Allen is the artist of the month for July, a graphic designer who has also pursued a love of painting in acrylics. Meet Valerie and see what else is new this summer at an opening reception on Friday July 8, 4-7 p.m.
Portsmouth
3S Artspace
A space to enjoy, inspire and propel creativity
Enjoy $5 tickets to see And the Kids on Friday, July 1 — just use the code “independence”
Abode Home
Summer fun is on sale: Outdoor rugs, furniture, dinner & drinkware, picnic & grill accessories, string lights, lanterns, beach totes, frozen treats & ice-cream makers and more. Mention Independence Week, and get 20% off regular prices through July 7!
G. Willikers! Toy Shop
Family fun, family run
Waldo is back in Portsmouth! 25 small Waldos will be hidden in downtown during the month of July. Pick up your passport at G.Willikers! or at the Portsmouth Public Library Children’s Room to begin your scavenger hunt.
A&G Homebrew Supply
Live free and brew
Win a FREE INTRO TO HOME-BREWING CLASS for TWO! Stop into A&G to enter our free raffle between July 1-7 (closed for the holiday July 3-4). No purchase necessary. $40 value.
RiverRun Bookstore
Locally owned. Locally operated. Locally involved.
We have an amazing collection of used books, most of them in like-new condition. From July 1 through July 7, all used books will be “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” (the least expensive book is free).
Portsmouth Fireworks
Gather Sunday, July 3 around South Mill Pond, located across from Portsmouth City Hall. Rain date is Tuesday July 5th at 9:15 p.m.