Concord's Best Businesses Of 2020: Readers Speak

CONCORD, NH — Last month, Patch in Concord and Penacook asked readers to offer some thoughts about local businesses who had gone above and beyond for customers in the community.

The year 2020 has been a difficult one for everyone but businesses are doing everything they can to help customers and stay afloat during the pandemic.

Get Fit NH on Terrill Park Drive received more than a dozen recommendations for their work with customers during the pandemic.

"Get Fit NH has had a wonderful group training system for the 9 years that I have been a client," Steven, a customer, said. "They welcome all shape and sizes of people and athletic competency. Everyone is treated equally and all clients and staff enter the gym with a positive attitude. That being said, the onset of COVID-19 has delivered a devastating blow to many small businesses but not Get Fit NH. Once the governor shut down gyms due to the virus, Meagan Sbat, the owner of Get Fit NH, took a deep breath and moved the training sessions online with Zoom. During this time she prepped the gym to be be socially distanced for a limited amount of client to attend in person classes safely. Once the governor approved the reopening of gyms Meagan and her team rose to the occasion continuing to offer both inside and outside personalized training in person once again. Now that the weather is turning cold outside training is not really feasible. For the past several months, Meagan had been looking for a larger space to accommodate all of the clients that would attend the larger classes still being socially distanced. Taking on a much large expense, Meagan made the commitment to move into a space twice the size of her original location. She is taking a risk doing this but I believe that her clientele will embrace the move and will make the commitment worth while. Meagan and her staff deserve this award because of their commitment to their clients, making us stronger and healthier every day."

Kellie, another reader, said, "They have truly gone the extra mile during this pandemic to make the necessary accommodations for all of their clients. They’ve moved training outside (which was fun!) and made changes inside the gym to ensure all the clients feel safe and are social may distanced while working out. The gym was already amazing to me before the pandemic because they create / prepare modified workouts for people like me that are dealing with medical issues (I recently had a triple spine fusion) and are still trying to stay active."

"I did not miss a single workout in the tumultuous year 2020, thanks to the innovative, hard working, caring, determined staff of Get Fit NH," Teressa added. "They rolled with the punches like true professionals, as only a locally owned small business can, and they kept us clients informed every step of the way. Meagan Sbat, the owner, and all the trainers continually adapted to the demands and limitations of the pandemic. This includes going completely virtual when needed, then offering indoor and outdoor classes, Zoom classes, a recorded training, a Zoom link for us to use if we wanted to work out with a small group of others at any time, and a workout with demos via the TrueCoach app. They literally gave us at least 5-6 different ways to workout. Coaches checked in with us several times a week to keep us motivated and help us with any concerns. When it got too cold to do outdoor classes and the indoor space was too small for everyone who wanted to workout in person, Meagan leased and renovated a larger space!"

Local Baskit on Ferry Street also received kudos from readers for being creative and offering local, healthy meals.

"The customer service and product selection is fantastic," Jennifer said. "I get the weekly instant baskit series and during the spring they expanded no-contact delivery to the Concord area (usually pick-up only for Concord) so that we could receive our meal kits. This was a huge help as I would not have to buy as much at the grocery store and I'd have everything I needed. Things are relatively back to normal and we are back to store or curbside pickup but the service is outstanding. The food is delicious and super fresh and local."

Karyssa added, "Over the course of the pandemic, the business helped to provide many essential workers, as well as immunocompromised and elderly people, with meals."

43 Degrees North Athletic Club also received a few accolades.

Lori said, "Clean, friendly atmosphere with fantastic instructors and a wonderful staff!," while Lauren said, "Best fitness facility I have ever worked at! The members, staff, instructor and owners are all amazing!"

Other businesses receiving kudos include Planet Fitness; Rocky's Ace Hardware; Hilltop Consignments; Georgia's Northside; Bonafide Green Goods; Peter Sellars Chiropractic; Cleary's Cleaners; CC Tomatoes; Veano's; The Draft; Smokeshow Barbeque; Red Arrow Diner; Scenic RailRiders; Russell Animal Hospital; Revelstoke; Pawtopia Pet Grooming Salon And Boutique; Advantage Signs; The Barley House; Northeast Delta Dental; Sue Poulin massage therapist; Crust & Crumb; German Autowerks; Constantly Pizza; Who Wouldn’t Want That; V12 Marketing; Concord Craft Brewing Company; Riverhill Market; The Windmill Restaurant; and Beefside.

In Penacook, The Post received praise from Carl: "Staff is very attentive, food is simply outstanding, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Wonderful place to have breakfast or lunch — my 'go to' spot whenever I am in Concord on business."

Chief's Place received kudos for, "Good food, friendly staff," while All Out Fitness' customer service was also commended by two readers.

Kerry said of PranaStrong Yoga: "(It) has been a source of support and community in these difficult times. As soon as things shut down PranaStrong switched over to yoga classes via zoom. Then when the weather allowed classes moved outside. There were all kinds of classes offered to help people feel better and no matter whether you were on line or in class everyone was made to feel connected and included. It truly is an amazing business and I am so grateful to be a student there."

One reader said of Village Street Auto Repair, "They care." Another reader said, "Excellent customer service. Finally, an honest mechanic with true integrity! And Heather is great in the office!"

Alan's of Boscawen Restaurant, Lang's in Pembroke, and the Dipsy Doodle Dairy Bar in Tilton also received praise from Patch readers.

If you have a local business are looking to get more customers, check out the free Patch Local Business Directory here, post classified ads here, and list events and happenings in your business here. To advertise, use this link.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.