Northeast Land Specialists, LLC is a family owned and operated business focusing on affordable, residential land projects in southern New Hampshire.
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While asphalt and concrete options are great, there's something unique about pulling your car into a gravel driveway. Maybe it's because they add a touch of rustic charm to your property. Or perhaps it's the fact that gravel driveways fit well in a range of settings and landscapes.
The bottom line is that gravel driveways are a popular choice for homeowners and businesses looking for a durable, cost-effective solution. They're resilient, versatile, eco-friendly, and relatively easy to maintain.
With time, however, it's inevitable that driveways undergo wear and tear. Gravel driveways, in particular, develop potholes, ruts, and more. These issues can create a sight for sore eyes on your property. They can also create hazards that can damage your car. One wrong step into a pothole and you could trip, fall, and become injured — and nobody wants to visit the largest hospital near Peterborough, NH because they fell in a hole.
Fortunately, quality gravel repair companies like Northeast Land Specialists can breathe new life into your entryway. If you're in search of reliable, experienced gravel driveway contractors in Southern New Hampshire with full-season warranties, look no further than Northeast Land Specialists.
- Call Northeast Land Specialists for Efficient Gravel Driveway Repairs at Affordable Prices
- Gravel Driveway Repair in Peterborough, NH
- Industry-Leading Gravel Driveway Repair in Peterborough, NH
- Top 3 Reasons to Consider a Gravel Driveway for Your Home
- Gravel Driveway FAQs
- Efficient Gravel Driveway Repairs at Affordable Prices
Industry-Leading Gravel Driveway Repair in Peterborough, NH
At Northeast Land Specialists, we pride ourselves on delivering top-tier gravel driveway repair services across The Granite State. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our advanced gravel driveway repair process, which ensures your driveway remains smoother for longer. Unlike standard methods that merely fill potholes, our skilled team rebuilds your driveway from the ground up, resulting in a long-lasting, smooth, and compacted surface.
Why Choose Northeast Land Specialists?
Our specialized equipment, including the GradeMax gravel driveway grader and smooth roller vibrating compactor, coupled with our expert team, ensures a finished driveway that can withstand New Hampshire's harsh weather conditions. As a family-owned and operated business, we focus on affordable residential land projects, delivering personalized service and exceptional results.
We also offer additional clearing and land-related services, such as:
- Pad Installation
- Foundation Perimete
- Material Spreading
- More
The Northeast Land Specialists Difference
Why do so many of our clients send their friends and family members to our business when they need driveway maintenance? Ask yourself this — would you refer your family to a fast-food restaurant for a great steak or would you tell them to go to the highest rated fine dining restaurant in Peterborough, NH? Simply put, Northeast Land Specialists has developed an industry-leading gravel driveway repair process that sets us apart from the competition and keeps your driveway smoother for longer.
We understand that no two gravel driveways are exactly alike, and no two clients have the same needs. That's why we offer a range of choices when it comes to gravel driveway maintenance options to choose from.
Comprehensive Gravel Driveway Repair Options from Northeast Land Specialists
Affordable Reclamation
Our most affordable option for repairing gravel driveways involves reclaiming the materials already present on your driveway or parking area. If you've recently added gravel but it has become uneven or rutted, we can grind it down, level it out, and reshape it using a custom grader. We'll then compact it with a roller for a smooth finish and add additional gravel as needed after any potholes are eliminated.
Premium Enhancement
Our premium gravel driveway repair in Peterborough, NH, features a base layer of sturdy 1-1/2" crushed rock, along with a customizable top layer. This arrangement ensures optimal drainage and long-lasting performance. It is designed to support high traffic and requires very little upkeep over time. The base layer not only enhances the overall structure but also keeps the top layer securely in place for an appealing appearance.
Annual Maintenance Packages
Our yearly gravel driveway maintenance and service options provide cost-conscious ways to maintain a smooth and well-restored driveway. Effective maintenance of your driveway, parking area, and roads can help you avoid costly major repairs down the line.
Exclusive Full-Season Warranty
We take pride in our craftsmanship and offer a comprehensive full-season warranty on our services. For a fixed price, we guarantee that your driveway will be free from potholes and other surface imperfections until the onset of winter. In the unlikely event that any issues arise during the season, we will respond swiftly and effectively to resolve them at no extra cost to you. Your satisfaction and peace of mind are our top priorities, and we are committed to ensuring your driveway remains in optimal condition throughout the season.
High-Quality Gravel Driveway Material Choices
At Northeast Land Specialists, we offer an extensive selection of materials suitable for the top layer in your gravel driveway maintenance projects. One of the most popular options is our 3/4" crushed aggregate. This material showcases a striking gray hue, often accented with bluish undertones, depending on the source of the quarry. It not only enhances the visual appeal of your driveway, but also provides excellent drainage and stability.
Another excellent choice we frequently recommend is recycled asphalt. This sustainable option boasts a rich, deep brown color that adds a warm, earthy tone to your driveway. Plus, its composition makes it an environmentally friendly alternative, contributing to waste reduction while still ensuring a durable and attractive surface. Whether you prefer the classic look of crushed aggregate or the eco-friendly aspects of recycled asphalt, we have the ideal solution to meet your driveway maintenance needs.
Transforming Eyesores into Pride Points
Your driveway might seem like a straightforward, practical aspect of your property, but if it's bumpy, cracked, or draining poorly, it can become an unsightly nuisance. Even worse, poorly maintained gravel driveways can become a safety risk and a constant source of irritation. At Northeast Land Specialists, we believe that your driveway should enhance your home's curb appeal and overall functionality.
That's why we're passionate about tackling a variety of common gravel driveway woes, such as:
- Grading: Improper grading can cause water to collect, resulting in erosion and potential damage. Our specialists will evaluate your driveway and carry out necessary grading to ensure optimal drainage and a smooth driving experience.
- Potholes: Potholes are almost always an eyesore. When left untreated, they become more than a nuisance and can damage your car or even cause you to trip and fall. At Northeast Land Specialists, we fill in potholes and correct the underlying issues causing them, so you're not filled up with worry.
- Driveway Washouts: Heavy rainfall can lead to the erosion of loose gravel, resulting in unsightly ruts. To tackle drainage problems, we can employ materials such as reclaimed asphalt, which are designed to endure harsh weather conditions.
- Resurfacing: As time goes by, driveways wear down and lose their luster. Our gravel driveway company in Peterborough, NH can resurface and restore your driveway's aesthetic appeal and functionality. That way, your home value doesn't plummet, and your neighbors don't get upset about the eyesore next door.
Top 3 Reasons to Consider a Gravel Driveway for Your Home
After a stressful commute on the busiest highway near Peterborough, NH, there's something inherently relieving about pulling into a home with a gravel driveway. We often get questions from New Hampshire residents asking about the benefits of gravel driveways — often before their house is built and during the planning phase. If you want a driveway that is both affordable and practical, gravel might be the way to go.
Gravel driveways are easier to install and maintain than other options and offer excellent traction and drainage. They help keep your property free from puddles and water damage, as the porous nature of gravel allows rainwater to seep through. This feature not only prevents pooling but also minimizes the risk of ice forming during the colder months. Plus, the rough texture of the gravel provides better grip for vehicles, making it a safe choice, especially if you live in a rural area.
If you're on the fence about gravel driveways, keep these benefits in mind.
Maintenance and Durability
Gravel driveways are known for their resilience and minimal upkeep. Gravel is sturdy and can withstand heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions. In contrast to paved driveways that develop cracks over time, gravel driveways typically remain in good shape with minimal maintenance.
Gravel tends to be more durable because of its interlocking design. Small, angular stones fit closely together to form a stable surface. This helps to evenly distribute the weight of vehicles, which does wonders for preventing potholes and depressions. The porous quality of gravel also enables water to drain through, minimizing water damage and ice formation during winter.
Caring for a gravel driveway is also relatively straightforward and economical. You can rake it, add gravel, or if you need gravel driveway resurfacing in Peterborough, NH, you can call trustworthy pros for help, like Northeast Land Specialists. When compared to the complex and costly maintenance of paved driveways, gravel presents a more low-maintenance alternative.
Customizable Options
Gravel driveways provide a wide range of customization options, making them a popular choice among homeowners. You can select from different types of gravel, colors, and textures to create a driveway that reflects your personal style. This flexibility allows you to design a driveway that enhances the overall appearance of your home.
When it comes to choosing gravel materials, there are plenty of options to consider, such as:
- Crushed Stone
- Recycled Asphalt
- River Rock
- Pea Gravel
- Decomposed Granite
- More
Each type has its own unique color, size, and texture; for example, crushed aggregate provides a more textured look, while pea gravel presents a smoother finish. With such a variety of choices, it's fun to create a customized driveway that enhances your home's curb appeal.
Eco-Friendliness
Did you know that gravel driveways are less harmful to the environment than other options? Due to their permeability, gravel driveways allow for better drainage while minimizing water runoff. Unlike paved driveways that create hard surfaces, gravel driveways allow rainwater to filter through, significantly reducing the chances of puddles and preventing water accumulation in surrounding areas. This feature also helps mitigate flooding, erosion, and the transport of pollutants to nearby waterways, making gravel driveways an eco-friendly choice. Gravel driveways also boast a lower carbon footprint than other driveways. The process of producing and installing gravel requires less energy and fewer resources compared to that of paved driveways.
Gravel Driveway FAQs
At Northeast Land Specialists, we're experts in all types of gravel driveway repairs. Customers choose us because of our unwavering commitment to reliability, punctuality, and hard work. We recognize the importance of a well-maintained driveway and know how stressful it can be to have a driveway that's barely suitable for use.
Our goal is to relieve that stress and provide peace of mind with efficient, affordable repair options. When you choose us, you can rest easy knowing you're in for a hassle-free experience built on expertise and open communication. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation or to learn more about our gravel driveway repair services in Peterborough, NH.
Before we start a project, our gravel driveway contractors in cityname, NH, will ask several questions to better understand the scope of your project. Some of those questions may include:
- Basic Details: Some of the questions we ask could center around the length and steepness of your driveway, the type of material it's made of (like asphalt, gravel, etc.), and the areas designated for parking. We might also ask for info specific to your home, like whether or not your driveway is shared with a neighbor.
- Water Runoff: Does your gravel driveway have any drainage issues? Are they minor or major? We inspect your current drainage setup to ensure that any water runoff issues are solved. That way, your driveway will have a long lifespan and major maintenance issues will be kept to a minimum.
- Your Vision: When it's all said and done, what goals would you like to accomplish with your project? Do you lean more towards functionality—like effective water management and a smooth surface—or aesthetics, like material finishes? Northeast Land Specialists provides a range of gravel driveway repair options to meet your goals and exceed your expectations.
When choosing gravel for your driveway, consider factors like appearance, durability, and climate. The right gravel can make your driveway eye-catching and helps ensure it has a longer lifespan. Size and shape are important considerations when it comes to choosing gravel. Larger, angular stones, like crushed stone, provide stability and durability by interlocking to form a solid surface for vehicles. In contrast, smaller options like pea gravel offer a smoother appearance but may shift over time.
Color and texture also matter. Gravel comes in a variety of colors, from earthy tones to vibrant shades. Select a hue that complements your home or surroundings. The texture—smooth or rough—can significantly impact the overall look of your driveway
Gravel driveway restoration is often necessary after severe weather conditions, such as hail, snow, ice, or heavy rain, negatively impact your driveway. While a single storm usually does not cause significant damage, gravel driveways can struggle to withstand constant rainfall or hail over time. As a result, even the most durable gravel driveways will require occasional repairs and maintenance. At Northeast Land Specialists, our highly-trained experts can come to your home and inspect your driveway to see if resurfacing or other repairs are needed.
Efficient Gravel Driveway Repairs at Affordable Prices
At Northeast Land Specialists, we're experts in all types of gravel driveway repairs. Customers choose us because of our unwavering commitment to reliability, punctuality, and hard work. We recognize the importance of a well-maintained driveway and know how stressful it can be to have a driveway that's barely suitable for use.
Our goal is to relieve that stress and provide peace of mind with efficient, affordable repair options. When you choose us, you can rest easy knowing you're in for a hassle-free experience built on expertise and open communication. Contact our office today to learn more about to schedule your initial consultation or to learn more about our gravel driveway repair services in Peterborough, NH.
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Latest News in Peterborough, NH
Cuts affect food pantries in Peterborough and Jaffrey
JESSECA TIMMONShttps://www.ledgertranscript.com/Region-s-Food-Pantries-Hit-By-USDA-Cuts-60494534
By JESSECA TIMMONS Monadnock Ledger Transcript Published: 04-15-2025 12:01 PM Area food pantries will be impacted by sudden cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a statement by NH Food Banks, which partners locally with the food banks in Peterborough, Jaffrey and other town...
| Published: 04-15-2025 12:01 PM |
Area food pantries will be impacted by sudden cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a statement by NH Food Banks, which partners locally with the food banks in Peterborough, Jaffrey and other towns.
According to Nancy Mellitt, director of development for NH Food Banks: “The recent changes to federal food assistance funding will impact the reported one in 10 NH residents, including one in seven children, who are experiencing food insecurity in NH.”
In late March, the New Hampshire Food Bank learned that the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance funding had been canceled. The cuts resulted in a loss of $1 million in funding for New Hampshire food banks, which would have funded the Feeding NH program through 2028.
“While this federal funding is not the sole source of funding used to support our NH Feeding NH program, it has been a driving factor in our ability to grow this critical program – improving access to fresh, local foods for our neighbors experiencing hunger throughout the state, while simultaneously supporting NH’s local farmers and food producers,” Mellitt stated.
Both the Peterborough Food Pantry and the Jaffrey Food Pantry were partner locations for the Feeding NH program, which enabled food pantries to purchase fresh produce and meat from local farmers. Gloria Morison, director of the Peterborough Food Pantry, said the cuts will negatively impact local families as well as local farms.
“The Peterborough Food Pantry has enjoyed using $1,000 annually from the NH Food Bank to buy produce locally as part of the NHFB's NH Feeding NH grant program. This program allowed us to buy produce or protein from local farms participating in the program which we then offer to our customers when they ‘shop’ for food with us,” Morison said. “In past years, we've purchased local corn, greens, squash, potatoes, apples, eggs and even ground beef from farms in Peterborough, Jaffrey, Wilton and Fitzwilliam. We will definitely not be able to support these farms as much as we have in the past as the grant money will be decreasing due to federal cuts affecting NH. It will be a loss both to our customers and these local farms.”
Morison said she hoped potential donors will consider donating shares from local CSA growers in the Peterborough area, such as Cornucopia Project or the Nubi River CSA at the Nubanusit Farm and Community, to support the Peterborough Food Pantry.
Kathleen LaRou of the Jaffrey Food Pantry said the recent USDA cuts “impact all of us.”
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“The number of people visiting us has been increasing since the fall, so the concern going forward will be to make sure we’re able to meet those demands,” LaRou said. “We’re fortunate to have like-minded people who've donated to our food pantry so we can purchase a CSA share for our clients. Jack and Rachel Rixey from Dog Days Farm have been wonderful, and understand how important this issue is, and they are working with us to ensure we have what we need.”
The New Hampshire Food Bank reports that in 2024-2025, 308 of their partner agencies benefited from the Feeding NH program, including or bulk purchasing from New Hampshire farmers.
“Last season, more than 655,000 pounds of food was purchased from 184 farms throughout the state, infusing more than $725,000 into NH’s economy,” Mellitt stated.
According to Mellitt, NH Food Banks works with more than 400 partner agencies that distribute food, including soup kitchens, after-school programs, programs for senior citizens and emergency food distribution sites.
NH Food Banks are also anticipating being affected by tariffs on imports from Canada, including produce.
“Currently, the NH Food Bank is witnessing a 7 tp 15% increase in pricing on produce purchased through our Canada-based vendor, Western Harvest Gardens, which working with their suppliers to help absorb some of these costs, which is why we are not currently seeing a 25% increase,” Mellitt stated. “We are anticipating that there will be more losses in funding and that costs will increase.”
N.H. paramedic continues to lead effort to end child hunger
EMS1https://www.ems1.com/good-news/n-h-paramedic-continues-to-lead-effort-to-end-child-hunger
Peterborough Fire and Rescue’s Dan Heffernan joined forces with End 68 Hours of Hunger, ensuring kids have access to meals outside of school hoursBy Sophia KeshmiriThe Keene SentinelPETERBOROUGH, N.H. — When it comes to addressing hunger, Dan Heffernan is just getting started.The Peterborough Fire and Rescue paramedic started spearheading department food drives last year to collect items for a program at the ConVal School District that gives students food to take home on the weekend. End 68 Hours of Hunger ...
Peterborough Fire and Rescue’s Dan Heffernan joined forces with End 68 Hours of Hunger, ensuring kids have access to meals outside of school hours
By Sophia KeshmiriThe Keene Sentinel
PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — When it comes to addressing hunger, Dan Heffernan is just getting started.
The Peterborough Fire and Rescue paramedic started spearheading department food drives last year to collect items for a program at the ConVal School District that gives students food to take home on the weekend. End 68 Hours of Hunger at ConVal is one of several chapters across New Hampshire schools, and seven other states. The program aims to help communities feed schoolchildren between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, when school is not in session.
“We’ve only done four so far,” the 55-year-old recently said of the food drives. “But I’m really hoping to continue it as long as I can.”
Man of many talents ... and siblings
Heffernan grew up in a big family in Brookline, Mass., and Boston. He ended up in New Hampshire and the Monadnock Region because family moved here.
The youngest of seven siblings, father of two sons and a stepdaughter, and uncle to roughly 20 nieces and nephews said he’s always had a soft spot for children.
“My siblings were good to me growing up, mostly because I was to some of them, I was more of a toy,” Heffernan joked.
“My next older sister, you know, I was kind of her baby, so it’s cool, you know, to be an active part of her kids’ lives as well.”
Heffernan, who now lives in Bow, described himself as a “jack of all trades,” and said he’s held posts in various industries, including at a garage, in a paper mill and at a seafood processing plant.
Heffernan, who began checking off first responder certifications in the ‘90s, grew up surrounded by people involved in public safety.
“I grew up around firehouses,” he said. “And very blue-collar neighborhoods. You know, my neighbors were mostly in public safety, one or the other, either cops or firemen. And I had an uncle that was with Boston Fire , and so was at that firehouse a lot.”
In 1997, he held his first firefighting position in Antrim after learning the squad was short-staffed. A few years later, he became an EMT. He had stints at other departments throughout New England and in 2015, when he was 45, he became a paramedic. He’s been with Peterborough Fire and Rescue for the past 4½ years.
Heffernan said he wasn’t “thrilled” at first to make the transition from firefighting to medicine. But his curiosity and can-do attitude prevailed.
“The more I would try to do, the more I would find I didn’t know, and that you really do learn how much you don’t know,” Heffernan recalled. “It just became more and more interesting to me.”
And his coworkers are a big plus, he added. “We’re not just a team, but we’re a family,” he said. “There are people there that … I joke that they’re my work kids.”
Although Heffernan is passionate about the work, he said it’s not without its challenges. One of those is personal mental health, and this is one aspect of the job he wants to help newer paramedics navigate.
“These are guys that I will look out for. And like, try to prevent them from either making the mistakes that I’ve made, or give them better ways to deal with traumatic situations,” he said.
‘Do what we can’
Heffernan was trying to put together an initiative through the Peterborough Fire and Rescue Department to help kids experiencing food insecurity when he found out about the End 68 Hours of Hunger program.
But his first glimpse at the issue came years before, when his children were in school.
When his sons, now 28 and 26, were in their tween and teenage years, they’d tear through his pantry after school. “I’d be like, ‘Guys, what, I fed you; I literally sent you with, you know, lunches with all kinds of food.’ ”
He quickly learned the kids would share their meals with friends who didn’t normally have a lunch. “So I would just make a lunch for them too … bread’s cheap, peanut butter is cheap … so it’s not that big a deal to make an extra lunch.”
With his kids now adults, and having been out of school for several years, Heffernan said he “didn’t know what the need was.”
“Now that I do, it’s do what we can.”
Last year, he started helping tackle the issue head on. He spearheaded an initiative with Peterborough Fire and Rescue to collect food and raise funds for ConVal students experiencing food insecurity.
End 68 Hours of Hunger came to ConVal about nine years ago. Two volunteers brought the program, which is named for its goal to address weekend food insecurity among schoolchildren, to the school district. Schools in California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Ohio also offer the program in addition to dozens from New Hampshire that participate. Participating schools in the Monadnock Region include those in the Hinsdale, Fall Mountain and Monadnock school districts, in addition to ConVal.
“There are a lot of kids that ... if they’re not in school, they don’t eat. Just period, there’s ... no if, ands or buts about it,” Heffernan said.
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According to End 68 Hours of Hunger, one in five children in the United States experiences food insecurity.
The ConVal program collects donations from a number of area organizations, but the drives Heffernan organized were a first for the coordinators. He had the idea to partner with the Shaw’s in town.
“It was a rousing success,” Heffernan said of the first drive, which was held at the grocery story last January. He said he’s aiming for about three per year.
Shaw’s ordered extra items and put some on sale, according to Heffernan, who said the drives wouldn’t be as successful without the store management team’s help.
“We start at 9 a.m., we finish up at 1 [p.m.] and we usually have an ambulance. We call it the ‘stuff an ambulance.’ So we’ll bring an ambulance up. And we set up a little table.”
The most recent drive, the fourth, was held earlier this year and brought in close to 1,000 food items and a little over that much in monetary donations.
Heffernan said one of the aspects he enjoys is meeting others who want to help the cause by donating.
“You’re helping a kid that could be the one that finds the cure for cancer, or, you know, gets us to Pluto, whatever the case may be. Like you’re helping ... a kid with the most fundamental needs.”
Linda Caracappa, one of the co-coordinators for the ConVal program, said the program matters to ConVal students.
“It’s important because there are a lot of kids that are food insecure and ... it doesn’t always show up in the numbers,” she said. There are currently 240 students who receive food through the program each week.
Caracappa said some of the older kids served by the program have spoken out about how it helps. “We have spoken to teenagers who ... work a job, they’re trying to go to school, and there isn’t enough food at home,” she added. “And this helps them ... it doesn’t fix everything, but it helps them.”
Caracappa called Heffernan “a spitfire.”
“His brain is always going, and he’s so passionate about it, and it’s very inspiring, you know, for us to have people like that ... and his whole team, like the volunteers that he has.”
She said at the moment, the program is in need of personal hygiene products like deodorant, and Heffernan was immediately ready to help.
And he says he’s ready to keep at it.
“I’ve got about another 11 years before I can retire,” Heffernan noted. “In a perfect world, I would love to continue doing it for another 11 years.”
© 2025 The Keene Sentinel (Keene, N.H.).Visit www.sentinelsource.com.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Monadnock Food Co-op will not be coming to Peterborough
DAVID ALLENhttps://www.ledgertranscript.com/Monadnock-Co-op-60323941
The Monadnock Food Co-Op in Keene. —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MONADNOCK FOOD CO-OPBusinesses in downtown Peterborough are breathing easier with word that the Monadnock Food Co-op of Keene is not pursuing plans to expand into town.On March 27, the co-op’s general manager said that they were not planning to establish a site in town, a prospect which prompted concern among 52 area businesses who signed a letter to the co-op’s board in February explaining their concerns.“We have no intent to expand into P...
The Monadnock Food Co-Op in Keene. —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MONADNOCK FOOD CO-OP
Businesses in downtown Peterborough are breathing easier with word that the Monadnock Food Co-op of Keene is not pursuing plans to expand into town.
On March 27, the co-op’s general manager said that they were not planning to establish a site in town, a prospect which prompted concern among 52 area businesses who signed a letter to the co-op’s board in February explaining their concerns.
“We have no intent to expand into Peterborough. I think there’s been a misunderstanding or miscommunication,” said Michael Faber, the co-op’s general manager. “We’ve talked about expansion, but I had people speaking to me, suggesting they’d heard that our signing a lease for the EMS space was imminent, which was not the case.”
Eastern Mountain Sports vacated commercial space on Vose Farm Road off Route 202 last year, and the property was still advertised as available for leasing. On March 26, Peterborough business owner Anna Von Mertens sent an email to signatories of the February letter stating that “the co-op have shared that they have not selected a location, are not actively engaged with a real estate agent, and are simply in the exploratory stage.” Von Mertens stated that the decision emerged from at the March 17 meeting of the co-op board of directors.
According to Faber, the co-op could consider Jaffrey.
“We would like to expand,” he said.
In the co-op’s January newsletter, a board of directors update section included the following statement: “I also look forward to further exploring the possibility of expanding our co-op and bringing the wonderful aspects it has to offer to our neighboring community of Peterborough.” It was signed by Dee Fitzgearald, the board’s president.
In February, more than four dozen businesses in Peterborough signed a letter to the co-op’s board, explaining the possible impact of the firm’s presence in town.
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“We are small business owners in downtown Peterborough writing with concerns about increasing mention of co-op plans for a second store to be located in Peterborough,” the letter began. It noted the “potential negative impact” that such a presence could have on “the vibrancy of downtown,” adding that Peterborough was only 28% the size of Keene, and that the co-op coming to the town could “significantly erode small profit margins" for merchants in Peterborough. In 2024, the co-op had $22 million in sales.
The letter went on to laud the co-op’s purpose, stating that it has “a beautiful vision and a meaningful mission statement.” It added that while contemplating the co-op's expansion to Peterborough is “discouraging” for merchants in town, they acknowledged that this “is not your intention.”
Asked how the notion of the co-op moving to the EMS site on Vose Farm Road, Von Mertens suggested “the rumor mill got going”
“Someone perhaps saw the comment in the January newsletter, and someone else said ‘Where would they go?’ and someone else probably said ‘We’ll the EMS site is for lease,’” said Von Mertens.
Von Mertens said on March 28 that the co-op has seen “how overwhelming the response of concern” was, and she emailed downtown business that “the co-op is saying they are open to exploring expansion in Jaffrey,” and that the news from Keene allowed her to “breathe a huge sigh of relief.”
Other downtown merchants responded similarly.
"We're happy they’re looking at another location,” said Elizabeth Littles of Steele’s Stationers.
Brad Miller of Roy’s Market expressed a similar sentiment.
“I love the co-op. I worked with them when I farmed,” he said. “If they recognized that coming to a town served by small businesses and cafes is not great for us, great. It’s also good if they’re looking for an area in need of a grocery.”
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