New Hampshire
The Barley House In Concord Gets Lit Up With Holiday Popup Lights
CONCORD, NH — The Barley House turns 25 in a few months, and to celebrate, the restaurant, owned by Brian and Deb Shea, has a few surprises planned.
For Christmas, to revel with other businesses downtown for holiday events, including Midnight Merriment next week, the restaurant decided to spruce things up inside by installing thousands of lights. This year, Merriment starts with a parade of lights at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, from the Hotel Concord to the Statehouse. Staffers, Deb Shea said, were working on specials like holiday drink offerings and other things to get into the spirit of the season. Once they started rolling with the lights, themes emerged, and everyone got into the idea.
The lights offer four different themes for each section of the restaurant. Upstairs, there is more traditional Christmas fare with stockings, candy canes, bulbs, and red and white lights. But the downstairs, lit up in blue and white, is stunning. Brian and Deb Shea said they thought holiday party bookings — the downstairs tends to be very busy this time of the year, would enjoy the added lighting.
“Everyone is loving it so far,” Deb Shea said. “We’re having fun with it.”
The couple readily admits holiday popup lights or similar restaurant displays are nothing new.
Deb Shea said after all the outdoor seating had been rolled up, restaurants had to find another niche or draw to keep customers coming downtown as the colder temperatures arrived.
Brian Shea said the couple was on vacation in Florida and ate at a restaurant, which was lit up entirely with lights. Another restaurant he heard about in Massachusetts on the South Shore is booked solid with reservations because people want to experience dinner with the holiday lighting.
“That may not happen here,” he said. “But if someone starts it, they may look forward to it.”
“When they come in and they all love it,” Deb Shea said, “and it’s a festive holiday experience, it will be something (customers) will want to experience … with winter and everything.”
The downstairs lights came out so well they might consider permanent light changes. Brian Shea said it would be more subtle at their place if they tried to put together something long-term, but they loved the idea.
The Barley House also plans to offer dinner reservations on New Year’s Eve, so revelers can coordinate their evening. A special menu will also be put together.
The lights will be up through January to expand a bit later into the season. After that, the Black Ice Hockey Tournament is scheduled for early February. However, sometimes, things can slow down downtown. Having customers enjoy their meal and have a good time at the Barley House has always been their goal, she said.
“I think we have to start looking at the downtown past the summer,” she said. “Because we do have a long winter here.”
The Barley House turns 25 on March 6, so more will be planned for the very near future.
“We’ll be rolling right into that,” Deb Shea said.
Upcoming Events
- Holiday Jingle Jam: Karaoke, an ugly sweater contest, pictures with Santa, and more: 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
- Free Gift Wrapping with enjoying drinks and dinner: 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.
- Holiday Lights Popup: Through Jan. 15, 2025.
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The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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