PORTSMOUTH — The owners of Bell Farm Shops, a gift shop in York, Maine have opened a second location in Portsmouth. The shop is in the former Colby’s location and features garden themed gifts, backyard bird supplies, seasonal gifts and home décor, accessories, candles, bath & body, cards, jewelry and more.
They have had a second location in the back of their mind for a while and have seen a few locations over the years, but they were not actively looking. One day they were out with the kids for breakfast and saw that it was for lease. They checked it out the next day and just went for it. They signed the lease on Nov. 15, and with a lot of help they were able to open for Black Friday.
They are very excited to be part of the community in Portsmouth. When they moved here from New Jersey eight years ago, they lived in Portsmouth and they are happy to be reconnected to the area. They felt it would be a great fit since there isn’t anywhere you could get bird houses or feeders in Portsmouth and that is their specialty.
They recognize their location could present some challenges, not being directly downtown, but they hope the word will spread! Since they opened quickly, they still have some catching up to do, like creating a website.
As for their York store, they are in full Christmas swing! They have the full Christmas experience with Christmas trees at Saint Nick’s Tress in the back, holiday themed coffee drinks at their food trailer and of course, a fully decked out Christmas shop. They have seen a little crossover between stores, but mostly new faces!
WELLS, Maine – Partners Bank announced the recipient of November’s Employee Donation of the Month. Jane Cooper, Assistant Branch Manager of the Portsmouth location, was the employee selected to choose the organization to receive $1,000 from Partners Bank. Without skipping a beat, she selected the Safe Haven Humane Society in Wells, Maine.
“I chose them because I am a self-described ‘crazy cat lady,’” Cooper quipped. “I have been supporting this no-kill cat shelter for years.”
The appropriately named Safe Haven Humane Society is a sanctuary for felines and is operated by 80 volunteers. Their approach to rescuing is unique. While most animal shelters keep their animals separated in stainless steel cages, Safe Haven Humane Society believes in a more unified approach. Their cats live peacefully together in free-roaming rooms, complete with cozy baskets and beds for each cat and rocking chairs and couches for visitors.
Partners Bank is proud to aid Safe Haven Humane Society’s growth. Since their inception, they have dramatically reduced the number of homeless felines in York County by rescuing them, providing medical and emotional care, and connecting them with their forever families. The $1,000 donation from the Employee Donation of the Month program will help them care for more cats.
Now until December 25th, donations will be matched up to $40,000. For more information on how to donate, visit Safe Haven Humane Society’s website at www.safehavenhumanesociety.org.
PORTSMOUTH – The REZQGO, Naloxone HCI Auto-Injector from Pirouette Medical has been named the 2024 Product of the Year by the NH Tech Alliance. Pirouette Medical is based in Portsmouth, N.H.
Five New Hampshire companies competed in the live and live streamed event on Dec. 11 to an audience of nearly 800. Judges and the audience voted and the REZQGO, Naloxone HCI Auto-Injector was crowned the 2024 Product of the Year winner. For more information, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit nhtechalliance.org, email info@nhtechalliance.org or connect via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
GREENLAND — Holy Rosary Credit Union officially opened its newest branch in Greenland, during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12. HRCU’s new full-service branch, the first financial institution in Greenland in 20 years, was welcomed to the community by Chief Collaborator and President of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth Ben VanCamp, town officials, HRCU board members, neighbors and project team members.
A ceremonial ribbon was cut by HRCU’s Chairman of the Board, Dana R. Flanders, and was followed by a community open house.
Located in a new mixed-use building off Route 33, adjacent to the Greenland Post Office, HRCU’s new full-service branch features a community lounge and a one-of-a-kind partnership with the neighboring Pink Hippo Café.
The Pink Hippo Café offers a welcoming atmosphere, coffee drinks, specialty desserts and baked goods, provided by Port City Coffee Roasters and Congdon’s Doughnuts. The trendy pink café also houses the work of over a dozen artists who craft and create locally in Maine and New Hampshire. The two businesses are connected with a welcoming set of French doors that will be open during credit union hours.
VanCamp celebrated HRCU’s commitment to Greenland and its partnership with the Pink Hippo as an example of local businesses strengthening the community.
The new branch includes a drive-up ATM with an Interactive Teller Machine (ITM), as well as full-deposit services, and a complete line of affordable business services, consumer and mortgage loans. On-site wealth management is offered by Northeast Planning Associates (NPA).
The branch will be open Monday through Saturday and the drive-up ATM will be accessible 24 hours a day with a night drop for businesses as well.
PORTSMOUTH — The Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation is honoring the spirit of the holiday season with a round of giving to local food pantries and meal sites. “As a community bank, we’ve been attuned to the rising need in our communities for the last several years,” said Lex Meagher, the Bank’s president. “We donate and volunteer to alleviate food insecurity year-round, but it’s important to push a little further for the holiday season.” The Bank’s end-of-year giving totals $15,000 in donations to over 25 organizations across their service region.
One donation recipient is Gather, a Portsmouth-based food pantry and nonprofit that has seen a 24% increase in demand since 2023. “Gather has distributed 1.6 million pounds of food in the last 12 months,” said Danny Edgecomb, Kennebunk Savings’ director of insurance, 1871 Group, and board member at Gather. “The team has really stepped up and met the moment. But the lines are getting longer, and the demand is getting more urgent.”
Jackie Jimenez, assistant branch manager at the Bank’s Portsmouth office, volunteers frequently at Seacoast Community Lunch, a free weekly meal program offered to anyone in the community and hosted at the Middle Street Church in Portsmouth. “I like volunteering here because it gets me out in the community, meeting new people and hearing their stories,” Jimenez said. Kennebunk Savings has an active culture of volunteering, with over 11,800 hours collectively volunteered last year. Seacoast Community Lunch is also the recipient of a holiday season donation from the Bank.
Another donation was issued to The Little Pantry, a 24/7 accessible food pantry run by the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel Chamber of Commerce. It’s located on the porch of the Chamber’s offices in Downtown Kennebunk and is maintained by a team of volunteers. The Bank’s contribution will help to keep the pantry stocked over the holiday season. “We’re a tiny part of the safety net that exists in our community,” said Laura Dolce, the Chamber’s executive director. “If you need something, take it. It’s there for you.”
PORTSMOUTH — NHTrust donated $1,500 to Gather, in Portsmouth, an organization that has been feeding families on the NH Seacoast since 1816. The agency, one of the oldest social service agencies in the country, provides nutritious food and prepared meals to those experiencing hunger.
“This support from NHTrust could not have come at a better time for us,” explained Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Gather. “With winter in full swing and the holidays upon us as well, we are trying to reach as many families as possible. We provided 545 meals at Thanksgiving and hope to be able to extend our reach for Christmas and beyond.”
“This is a phenomenal organization,” noted Michael St. Onge, NHTrust SVP, Private Client Relationship Manager. “I am so impressed with the depth and commitment of the people and volunteers for Gather and their unwavering vow to end food insecurity in our Seacoast communities. It’s the core of their legacy.”
