Cool things made or invented right here in Concord, NH
Concord is a creative place with some cool ideas and local flavors! Check these innovative companies that keep it local and innovative.
They don’t make the fried food, but rather, the equipment that cooks it. J.C. Pitman founded Pitco Frialator in 1918 in Bow—right outside of Concord. They make it all: fryers, pasta cookers, rethermalizers, charbroilers and even griddles. The Pitco Frialator was invented on a basic principle that brought about a complete change in the method of deep frying. The fat medium is heated by tubes running through the center of the fat container. This construction permitted all sediment from the food being fried to drip below the heating tubes into a cool zone where it could not carbonize and break down the frying fat. Pitco equipment is in service in more than 100 countries.
Gibson Pewter was founded in 1966 by Raymond Gibson, and grew into a family business. Today, Raymond’s son Jonathan carries on the craft year-round with his wife, Camille, and their two children in historic Washington Center, NH. Jon is a state juried member of the League of N.H. Craftsmen and has been recognized by Early American Life Magazine as one of America's 200 top traditional craftsmen since 1992. 100 pieces of traditional and contemporary designs are available for sale. Each lead-free piece is made with hands-on care, whether cast, hammered, or spun. The Gibson Fruit Bowl and Wood-grain Beaker were the only pieces of 20th century pewter taken into the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Backyard bird feeding is the second most popular hobby in the US. That’s good news for Duncraft, founded in Concord in 1952. Today, the third and fourth generation of the Dunn family continue the traditions begun so many years ago. Although our world has changed, Duncraft remains true to its goals from the 1950’s—to create innovative solutions for backyard bird feeding and to offer the very best in product quality and usability, and excellent customer service with reliable home delivery. Their designs include over 500 exclusive bird feeding products made in Concord, NH, and many new products are added each year. As it began in 1952, Duncraft continues to be the primary source for new ideas in the bird feeding industry—giving bird-lovers years of bird feeding enjoyment, success and satisfaction.
Company C is a leading manufacturer of bright and colorful home furnishings. Founded in 1994 by Christine and Walter Chapin, the company that began as a one-room garage operation in Concord has grown to include 1,000 wholesale partners, two exclusive retail stores, a studio store and ecommerce site. Find it's outlet store full of distinctive and uniquely colorful home furnishings including rugs, bedding, furniture, fabrics and decorative accessories right in downtown Concord.
Concord Craft Brewing Company is a small batch craft brewery with a retail beer store, where beer enthusiasts can walk in and sample the current beers on tap, take a brewery tour, or take a look at the cool beer gear in the downtown store. Their beers may be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes in the brewery store, at area bars and restaurants, and at select retail stores. The 15-barrel, steam-powered brewery sits among restaurants and shops in the historic downtown district of Concord, in the former Merrimack Farmers Exchange building.
