With the possibility of a Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Hunting & Sporting Outfitter, locating near Exit #11 of I-93 and Hooksett’s historic village, creative & cultural ideas are now possible as part of the development. With such a top-notched anchor store, the momentum is growing! It is essential that we recognize the importance and benefits of Cabela’s being constructed in Hooksett, NH, not just at the local level but STATE-WIDE. An establishment such as Cabela’s will act as a magnet to bring additional enterprises to exit 11, which will provide even more jobs, tax revenue and tourists, not only to Hooksett, but to the State. The store will feed NH’s tourism & outdoor sporting industries. As exit #11 is developed, we need to create businesses that complement and feed off each other, creating synergy State-wide that helps energize the entire State economy all the way to Errol and Pittsburgh!

As stated by Harry Murray of Hooksett, “Cabela’s is to NH’s north country hunting and fishing industry as a half inch of snow in Boston, MA is to NH’s ski industry.” For many people, seeing Cabela’s will be a powerful motivator.

1) Construction of a Wingate Hotel overlooking the river next to Cabela’s. (To open with Cabela’s).

2) An old fashion looking river boat with a paddle wheel named the “Hooksett’s River Queen” to be docked at the new Merrimount Landing. It could travel between Robie’s Country Store and the Amoskeag Bridge in Manchester, similar to the river boats that traveled the Merrimack River in the 1800’s. In addition, a small group of smaller tour boats could be established to provide guided tours of Hooksett’s village area and water fall.

3) Reconstruction of the pond in the rear of the former Merrimount Ski Area. This pond was originally created for a brick yard that used the site in the late 1800’s and was later used as an ice skating area. Trout could easily be raised in the pond and released into the adjacent Brickyard Brook for fishing.

1) A restaurant named “Thoreau’s”. This restaurant would be nestled on the hillside near Merrimount Landing with a commanding view of the Merrimack River and the site where H.D. Thoreau landed and hid his boat in the mid-1800. (For details of Thoreau, see the book “A Week on the Concord Merrimack.”) We are hoping to attract a restaurant owner similar to the style and caliber of the Common Man Restaurant.

2) A second hotel modeled and named after the historic “New Hampshire Highway Hotel and Convention Center”, in recognition of the one originally in Concord. The “New Hampshire Highway Hotel” name has already been renewed and registered. Also, many of the original paintings and artifacts once displayed in the hotel lobby, including a Concord Coach, may be displayed once again.

3) Create an art/musical theater (barn type playhouse) in a refurbished old barn, similar to the barn playhouses in Ogunquit, ME and New London, NH. This would be along the river with an adjacent restaurant with docking for guests arriving by river boat, private boats, sea plane or car.

4) Horse-drawn carriage rides from area hotels through the village, to the theater and river boat as well as other area attractions.

5) Sea plane charter trips flown out of the river to your favorite north country destination, resort hotel, camp, hunting or fishing site. (similar to Currier Flying Services of Maine)

6) Creation of a transportation museum to include a display showcasing Palazzi’s construction of interstate 89, antique trucks, trollies, the Concord Coach Society’s coach and buggies, & possibly displays from Heritage N.H.

7) A Center to promote NH made products and year round indoor/outdoor farmer’s market to promote NH’s farming industry.

8) Encourage river fishing & boating events (similar to COCHECO Boat Race in Dover, NH). Fishing derbies could also be held.

9) Commercial bus station & tourist bus depot to promote scenic trips & tours to northern NH attractions.

10) Senior housing / assisted living near the village with scenic trails and local entertainment.

1) A nicely landscaped roundabout at intersection of Route-3A and Main Street - not only increases continuous traffic flow but enhances and creates additional character for the Village.

2) Add river walk along guardrail of Route-3A to create a beautiful scenic pedestrian walk and make the village more usable and connected. This will also encourage community-building and business development in the Village, especially Robie’s. A walking path 2 ½’ wide topped with hard pack gravel would be constructed in conjunction with improvements to Route 3A.

3) Create River Park south of Robie’s and a second near the Congregational Church, connected to the Village by the Historic Lilac Bridge

4) Add a Gazebo in the Village Common, next to Robie’s, for public use, such as concert series (fiddler, banjo), weddings, etc

5) Antique lights added to Village, river walk area and College Drive (need corporate sponsors)

7) Preservation of historic sites: Robie’s Country Store, Pinnacle Hill, Thoreau’s Landing, etc. Pinnacle Hill is known for its Indian heritage and famous view, as described by Thoreau in his book noted below.

8) Create bulletin board for upcoming events, outline of historic sites, and highlights of Hooksett’s Village, etc..

9) Expansion of Hooksett’s Historical Society Museum into a portion of the old town hall to include the Robie Collection & artifacts from the Heritage Commission.

10) Antique railroad cars parked on display near Robie’s with possible tourist train ride from Hooksett to north country attractions.

Hooksett’s newest development is merely an appetizer and could very well attract and feed business to the entire State. We need your help to finalize details. Special thanks to Cabela’s, Jeff Larabee of Miami & Pierce, and TF Moran in helping make this development something of great value for the entire State.

The following is a website containing links to some interesting topics referenced above