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By SON HOANG New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent Sunday, Sep. 2, 2007
Nashua – Restaurants, especially those with outdoor dining, are the main draw for downtown Nashua.
"The restaurants have made downtown a dining destination," said Sarah DiSano, executive director of Great American Downtown, a 5-year-old organization formed to promote Nashua's downtown. "Each year we have dozen of our restaurants named the best of New Hampshire."
Downtown restaurants figured prominently in New Hampshire Magazine's 2007 reader's poll. Michael Timothy's Urban Bistro (212 Main St.) placed first in the "best chef," "Sunday brunch," "fine dining" and "Nashua area" categories, with the fish and chips at Peddler's Daughter (48 Main St.) and the wraps at Seeling Cafe (9 Water St.) also garnering honors.
Restaurants such as these bring thousands of diners to downtown Nashua every week, DiSano said -- especially those looking to dine al fresco.
The restaurants also have helped attract retail business to the downtown area, according to Christopher Williams, president of the Nashua Chamber of Commerce.
"Wherever there are fine restaurants, there are good retailers," said Williams, who added that new retail business are eyeing downtown locations because of the district's attractive atmosphere and the number of young people with disposable incomes.
City Community Development Director Kathy Hersh said another attraction of downtown Nashua is the boardwalk, which opened this past year along the Nashua River. The historic Cotton Transfer Bridge, currently undergoing restoration, will re-open this fall, providing visitors with further access to river views.
A popular Sunday attraction since it was launched last year is the Main Street Bridge Farmers Market, open weekly from May to mid-October. In addition to fresh fruits, vegetables and produce, the market offers live music.
Nashua's downtown does have its flaws. Traffic along Main Street is frequently snarled, and finding parking can be a challenge, particularly on Main Street itself. As Williams notes, however, several lots and garages are located within half a block of Main Street.
To draw further attention to the side streets, DiSano said, GAD has initiated a program aimed at using a $50,000 community development grant from the city to construct wrought-iron gates that will visually connect East Pearl and West Pearl streets with Main Street.
The organization hopes to expand the program to include additional streets next year.
Downtown has neither a movie theater nor a performing arts center, though there is talk of adding the latter, said the Chamber of Commerce's Williams.
"A performing arts center would have a tremendous positive impact," he said. "There have been a lot of interested parties, and the chamber is interested."
According to Williams, plans call for adding about 800 units of housing in the next five years.
"It's going to reinvigorate the look, feel and atmosphere of downtown," Williams said.
