Pittsfield NH Business Success Stories From The Economic Development Committee

Its very name harkens back to a time of fun, innocence and wonder. Open the toy box of your own childhood memories… what was your favorite thing? Perhaps the checker’s board that reminds you of games with family and friends. Or the kite you got for your birthday. Step into the Toy Box & Kids Korner and it won’t matter of you are six or 60, your reaction will be the same: pure delight.

Owners Michelle and Jim Trovato have turned the corner of Depot and Carroll streets into a magical downtown destination. Shopping for the latest toys that also have the power to teach? Then try the store’s line of Melissa and Doug toys and crafts, which teach as well as entertain. Maybe your child loves games. If so, peek into the Toy Box and you’ll see a wonderful selection of games that can bring a family together and take you away from it all at the same time.

“We love our location in the heart of Pittsfield,” says Michelle Trovato. “We’re at the crossroads of the daily lives of our friends and neighbors. My husband and I love interacting with customers who discover us for the first time. Once they’ve found their trinket or gift, they’ll leave with a promise to return again soon. That’s what we wanted."

The Toy Box & Kids Korner has everything you’ll need for party planning, too. So after you’ve checked out the shelves stocked with dolls and trucks and collectibles, you can leave with all the trappings of a wonderful celebration. You’ll leave with a smile… and don’t be embarrassed if that toy is for you, not the little ones in your life!

From the outside, it looks like many of the New England-style barns in Pittsfield. But enter Rocking Horse Studio and on any given day you’ll hear music from a variety of genres, including rock, folk, blues, jazz, country, and hip hop. Brian Coombes and business partner David Pierog can be found behind the massive sound board, recording the latest tunes for local, regional, and national acts.

“We wanted to create an artistic retreat,” explains Brian Coombes, on his decision to build a world-class recording facility on a farm in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Surrounded by rolling hills, apple orchards, and dairy farms, Rocking Horse Studio combines the very latest in recording technology with the iconic New England village scene. “We enjoy and appreciate all types of music. And we recognize the creative process shouldn’t be rushed. It should be done in a setting where there are no distractions,” says Coombes.

Opened at its current location in 2008, Rocking Horse Studio is already a top destination for artists from all over the world. Designed by renowned studio mastermind Michael Blackmer, the studio provides musicians with the finest technology available in an artistically inspiring space. Rocking Horse Studio has quickly made a name for itself as a world-class studio north of Boston. It has been featured in numerous programs and publications, including Mix Magazine’s “Class of 2009” cover story, WMUR’s “Chronicle” program, the Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Union Leader. Check out Rocking Horse Studio… because life should have a pleasing soundtrack. It certainly does in Pittsfield!

Their product literally protects and saves lives. Using the most advanced technology available today, Globe Firefighter Suits are used on the front lines of dangerous activity every single day in every corner of the world. The Globe name is synonymous with quality, safety, comfort and reliability in the firefighting community. The company was established in 1887 and opened for business in Pittsfield in 1901. Founded by Courtland Freese, Globe Manufacturing remains family owned and run… a source of pride for the entire Pittsfield community.

The story of Globe Manufacturing is not only the chronicle of a family enterprise spanning more than a century, but it is a microcosm of evolving American industry. It features the latest in research and product development – but the company culture is deeply rooted in Pittsfield’s history and in its families, many of whom have worked there for generations. The company’s employees reflect the quality and dedication you see in the products the Globe produces every single day.

“We consider ourselves the very best in the business for two major reasons. First, our workers understand the product they make is designed to protect the lives of first responders and we take that job very seriously. Second, we reach out to firefighters to ask what they want and what they need and we design our gear to fit their goals,” explains Don Welch, President of Globe Manufacturing Company. (I don’t know if you want this, Don, or if I have your title even remotely close!!!!) “Our G-XTREME suits are a good example. Firefighters told us they wanted gear with no restrictions and a better ergonomic design. So, we created a new line of gear for them. We are also developing technology to monitor the health and well-being of firefighters through technology that is built into every single suit. Nothing is too good for the men and women who serve our communities.”

Pittsfield is proud to say Globe Manufacturing Company is here. You’d be equally proud to call this incredible business your new neighbor.

“It feels like home” are the words we hope to hear when you walk through our door at Vintage Hill, LLC. We know how important it is for you to find a place to call home for your loved one who can no longer live independently. That’s why it is our goal to promote a “family feel” from the moment of your visit. The management and staff at Vintage Hill, LLC provide a culture of support to our elderly residents, encouraging an active and independent lifestyle while assisting them with daily routines.

“Assisted living is not a first choice for anyone. I know how hard it can be to search for a place that provides the supplemental help to a relative or loved one in need. However we work closely with families to create a seamless transition and to cater to each person’s individual needs,” explains Linda Small, co-owner of Vintage Hill, LLC. “Our residents are not numbers, they are our family. We strive to assist folks in the preservation of their dignity, as can be seen in the everyday activities and lifestyle that we offer.”

Vintage Hill, LLC is a 10-bed assisted living facility located less than one-half mile from downtown Pittsfield. With the look and feel of home and situated on 5 grassy acres, it is devoid of the institutionalized ambiance one might expect from assisted living. The building is a renovated New Englander (originally built in 1850) housing the kitchen, communal dining room, family room, laundry areas, and living quarters for the Resident Homemaker.

The newly constructed residential wing consists of private & semi-private rooms, each equipped with a half bath. A farmer’s porch overlooking the Suncook River is the perfect setting from which to enjoy the sights and scents of the country. Home cooked meals served up family style and regularly scheduled communal activities are but two of the ways in which Vintage Hill, LLC gives its best to promote physical & mental health and enhance the quality of life for our residents.

“Come by for a visit, have a cup of coffee, and see for yourself,” says co-owner Marilyn (Lyn) Roberts. “Our goal is to assist elders in maintaining a quality of life, independence and dignity.”