Shopping in Downtown Concord: Independent Stores on Main Street

Concord is New Hampshire's capital, but for shoppers its best feature is a compact, walkable downtown. Main Street runs past the historic State House, and within a few blocks you can find a jeweler with an in-house goldsmith, a tasting bar for olive oils and vinegars, a shop full of European imports, and a community-owned grocery. This guide walks through shopping Concord NH style: local, independent and mostly on foot.

Shop hours change by season and holiday, so check each store's website before a special trip.

Concord at a glance

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and the county seat of Merrimack County. The 2020 census counted 43,976 residents. The settlement took the name Concord in 1765.

The centerpiece of downtown is the New Hampshire State House at 107 North Main Street. Completed in 1819, it is the oldest state capitol in the United States in which the legislature still meets in its original chambers. It makes a natural starting point for a shopping walk, since most of the stores below sit within a short stroll along North and South Main Street.

Start on North Main Street

Capitol Craftsman and Romance Jewelers

Just down from the State House, Capitol Craftsman and Romance Jewelers occupies 16 and 18 North Main Street. The business has been part of downtown for more than thirty years, and it combines two shops in one. Capitol Craftsman features crafts and gifts made in New Hampshire and beyond, while Romance Jewelers focuses on fine jewelry, with an in-house goldsmith and custom jewelry design.

The gift side carries names such as Simon Pearce and Golden Hill Pottery alongside New England-made pieces, and the jewelry side handles engagement rings, wedding bands and diamonds. This is the stop for anyone looking for a gift with a local story, or for a repair or custom piece that a chain store cannot handle.

Celeste Oliva

A few doors away at 8 North Main Street, up on the second floor, Celeste Oliva runs a tasting bar where you can sample olive oils and balsamic vinegars before you buy. The shop carries ultra premium extra virgin olive oils, fused and infused oils, dark and white balsamic vinegars and sea salts, sourced from around the world. Tasting is the whole point here. Try a few side by side, compare flavors, and leave with a bottle or two for the kitchen or as a host gift. Because the shop is upstairs, it is easy to walk past, so look for the sign.

Gondwana and Divine

Gondwana and Divine at 13 North Main Street sells women's clothing, jewelry and gifts. The racks feature dozens of designers, from Johnny Was and Free People to Joseph Ribkoff, with petite and plus sizes, and the shop also offers personal styling. It is a good place to browse if you want something you are unlikely to find at the mall, and the jewelry and gift selection makes it useful for last-minute presents too.

Viking House

Viking House at 19 North Main Street is one of downtown's most distinctive shops. It sells gifts, clothing and imported foods from more than ten European countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, Germany and France. Departments range from kitchen and home decor to toys, books, jewelry and a European grocery section. The shop is unusual in another way: it sells in person rather than online. For customers who cannot visit, it offers shopping appointments by video call or phone, which is a thoughtful option if you are hunting for a specific gift from afar.

If you have Scandinavian or other European roots, or simply like browsing foods and goods you cannot find in a typical store, plan to spend some time here.

Homebody

Farther up North Main at number 134, Homebody carries home decor, baby goods and gifts. The shop highlights New Hampshire-made products such as Joy Lane Farm goat milk soap, and it offers custom gifting, which takes the work out of putting together a gift box. It is a good stop for a housewarming or baby shower present.

Finish on South Main Street

Concord Food Co-op

Concord Food Co-op at 24 South Main Street is a community-owned, democratically run grocery store with a bakery and café. It is a practical stop for picnic supplies or a quick lunch in the middle of a shopping day, and its shelves make it a good place to look for local and specialty foods.

The co-op has a sister store, the Kearsarge Cooperative Grocer in New London. Through its Round-It-Up at the Register program, along with other donations, the co-op supports local nonprofits. Its focus is on natural, local, organic and fair-trade foods, and it carries organic produce sourced locally when possible, plus bulk foods that let you buy a pinch or a pound. A weekly hot bar makes it an easy lunch stop.

How to plan a shopping day

Park once and walk. Downtown Concord is compact. Find parking near Main Street and do the rest on foot.

Start at the State House. It is the landmark at the center of downtown, and the shops on North Main are close by. If you have time, the State House and its grounds are worth a look on their own.

Go upstairs. Some downtown shops, including Celeste Oliva, are on upper floors. Look up at the signs as you walk.

Break for lunch. The Concord Food Co-op's café is one option, and downtown has many restaurants in our directory.

Bring a bag. Between olive oil, imported foods and soap, a shopping walk here can get heavy quickly.

A sample route

1. Begin at the State House at 107 North Main Street.

2. Walk to Capitol Craftsman and Romance Jewelers at 16 and 18 North Main.

3. Climb to Celeste Oliva at 8 North Main for a tasting.

4. Browse Gondwana and Divine at 13 North Main and Viking House at 19 North Main.

5. Walk north to Homebody at 134 North Main.

6. Head south to the Concord Food Co-op at 24 South Main for lunch or snacks for the drive home.

Beyond shopping

Concord has plenty to fill the rest of a day. The State House itself, with the legislature still meeting in its original chambers after more than two centuries, is one of the most historic buildings in the state and an easy add-on to any shopping walk. Downtown also has a wide range of restaurants and cafés in our directory, so you can turn a few hours of browsing into a full day.

Frequently asked questions

Is downtown Concord walkable?

Yes. The shops in this guide sit along North and South Main Street, within walking distance of the State House.

Where can I find New Hampshire-made gifts in Concord?

Capitol Craftsman features New Hampshire-made crafts, and Homebody carries local products such as Joy Lane Farm goat milk soap.

Does Viking House sell online?

No. It sells in person, but it offers shopping appointments by video call or phone.

Where can I taste olive oil in Concord?

Celeste Oliva at 8 North Main Street has a tasting bar where you can sample its olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

Sources

• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (capital; Merrimack County; 2020 census; named 1765; seat of Merrimack County): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• New Hampshire State House, Wikipedia (107 North Main; completed 1819; oldest capitol with legislature in original chambers): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_State_House
• Capitol Craftsman and Romance Jewelers (16 and 18 N Main; over thirty years; NH-made crafts; goldsmith; custom design): https://www.capitolcraftsman.com/
• Celeste Oliva (8 N Main, 2nd floor; olive oil and balsamic tasting bar): https://www.celesteoliva.com/
• Gondwana and Divine (13 N Main; women's clothing, jewelry, gifts): https://www.gondwanaclothing.com/
• Viking House (19 N Main; imports from over ten European countries; in-person only; video or phone appointments): https://www.vikinghouse.com/
• Homebody (134 N Main; home decor, baby, gifts; Joy Lane Farm soap; custom gifting): https://www.homebodynh.com/
• Concord Food Co-op (24 S Main; democratic grocery, bakery and café; Kearsarge Cooperative Grocer; Round-It-Up): https://www.concordfoodcoop.coop/