Suncook Village has always had a sense of pride. Pride for the name and what it means to be a Suncook native. For many who live in this historic part of Pembroke and Allenstown it’s the only home they’ve ever known and they are proud of that, too. From the towering red-brick mills along the river to the small brick and granite constructed shops tucked on Main Street, the village still carries the echoes of its small mill town roots. Now, after many decades of decline downtown, residents and town leaders are excited to feel and see a shift in Suncook that beckons back to the booming mill days of yesteryear.
Walk through the center of Suncook and history is impossible to miss. Suncook Native and Co-President of Meet me In Suncook, Jocelyn Carlucci mentioned in a feature on NH Chronicle “The brickwork that was done here in the village is beautiful. It’s very distinct and I don’t think anybody ever wanted to get rid of that, to modernize it.” The Emerson and China mills that once powered the region stand as reminders of a time when the village thrived on textile manufacturing. Jocelyn mentions “The Mills were known for their textile and so there was silk and there was cotton textiles.” Generations worked in those brick buildings, and the hum of industry filled the air. Many of those mill families have never left. Generations seem to never leave this place and if they are part of the very few that do, they always find their way back here. Maybe for good reason.
“It was a self-sustaining village,” said one longtime resident who grew up in the area. “You didn’t have to leave town for anything — we had the Rainville Shoe Store, the dentist, pharmacy, bank, barber, grocery and post office.” When the mills closed, jobs disappeared, and Suncook — split between Pembroke and Allenstown by the village’s namesake the Suncook River — struggled to find its footing. Businesses shuttered, and the once-bustling downtown quieted.
Even so, the community’s identity never disappeared. For many families, Suncook wasn’t just where they lived — it was who they were. The grit, and yankee ingenuity is still prevalent today.
In recent years, signs of revival have begun to appear. The former China Mill has been converted into luxury apartments, bringing new residents with money into the heart of the village. Entrepreneurs like Suncook Native Katie Booker have helped start the revitalization in the village with her first business venture being The Little Vintage Venue which is a consignment and gift shop on Main Street that has been in operation for a few years now.
Booker has more recently hopped on the coffee train to 49 Glass St where her new coffee shop has recently opened as of July called The Vintage Cup Coffee Co. Things have been more vibrant downtown lately with this addition. Others from out of town have also chosen to see potential in this charming New England Village. One of those out of towners that has certainly made a splash in Suncook has been Mr. Rob Acevedo who decided to move to Pembroke and opened up a live music venue and bar downtown in the village a year ago called Pembroke City Limits.
Rob, being only a year into the bar, has had wild success and has his eyes set on the next venture. Pembroke City Limits Records and Books is the new business venture he has taken on that happens to be right next door to him at the bar. Other small business owners have expanded from their smaller storefronts in more recent years as well such as Sarah Biddle owner of Beautique Salon and Spa, as well as Nicole Plouffe of Lily Flower Floral Designs both on Main St.
There was an extremely high vacancy rate downtown just even 2 years ago, and today the vacancy rate is less than 15%. Shop, sip and save Suncook for your next weekend excursion, there is quite a bit to do downtown now, and residents get to stay informed and connected through the new local media outlet The Suncook Times focusing solely on Pembroke, Allentown and Pembroke. A lot of people are watching and noticing, keep up the good work Suncook!
Despite the optimism, obstacles remain. Revitalization requires money — something small towns don’t always have in abundance. Balancing the need for affordable housing with the desire to preserve historic character is a constant debate.
There are still some neglected properties downtown that could use some love, and attention. Parking has become more of a problem recently with the increase in visitors downtown which has led to some businesses downtown fighting for parking in front of their establishments for their customers.
Trash downtown has also become a nuisance for downtown businesses as there are more late night visitors patronizing the bar with sometimes the only place to leave a cigarette or a piece of trash is outside on the curb. Local landlords like Don Bibeau owner of 118-122 Main St. where Famous Village Pizza and Tri-Town Home Team at eXp Realty reside take it upon themselves to clean the sidewalks to ensure the downtown experience is nice for everyone.
Local leaders, entrepreneurs and property owners are beginning to lay out a vision for the village’s next chapter.
Some proposals/plans include adding more parking, converting the former Suncook Bank on Glass St into residential condos, renovating the few vacant storefronts that are left, as well as improving the residential apartment offerings downtown and beautifying the village through seasonal beautification efforts like the adopt a spot program led by Meet Me In Suncook, Christmas in The Village wreaths, and soon Suncook Holiday Lights that will connect Suncook Village with Hooksett Village.
The key is to connect the two historic villages through the riverwalk trail system and drive economic activity to both quaint villages which are only 3 miles apart from one another. Hooksett puts on the annual Light Up The Village event, and Suncook puts on the annual Christmas in The Village event the same weekend. Joining forces to create a destination between the two villages is essential to this area’s revitalization as a whole, says Tony LaCasse local real estate agent and team lead of Tri-Town Home Team at eXp Realty.
On a recent fall morning, the bells of The Suncook United Methodist Church and St. Johns Catholic Church down the street rang as children crossed the street for school and shopkeepers opened their doors. The river glinted in the sunlight, and the red mills stood tall, as they always have.
Suncook’s future is far from certain, but the momentum is real. From the volunteers who sweep the sidewalks to the entrepreneurs who invest their savings in Main Street, the people of Suncook are writing the next chapter together.
“This is home,” said one resident, standing outside a freshly painted storefront. “We’ve been through ups and downs, but Suncook always comes back. And I think this time, we’re coming back stronger.”
