4 independent New Hampshire convenience stores worth stopping for

Check out four independently owned New Hampshire convenience stores that offer way more than a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread.

Some convenience stores are more than just convenient. The independent versions of these handy hometown emporiums serve as third places—centers of community and local commerce. Such is the case of these four New Hampshire stores situated on major thoroughfares in the state. You may not be able to get a Slurpee or Big Gulp at these cozy shops, but you will find freshly brewed coffee, homemade food, wine and beer, locally sourced food and gifts, and smiling faces.

1. Barrel and Baskit

Address: 377 Main St., Hopkinton

Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the truest sense of the word, there’s been an independent community store on the corner of Main and South Streets in Hopkinton for more than two centuries. Although the store changed hands and names, it always provided food and dry goods as well as a place for neighbors and visitors to gather in this small central New Hampshire town.

A few years ago, three local women, Beth Richards, Anna Wells, and Dulci Lipoma, joined together to renovate the historic building and open Barrel and Baskit. The space is not only used for locals to gather and feast on the store’s homemade offerings, but also for community and store events. Richards owns and operates the store, and Wells and Lipoma own the building.

Barrel and Baskit carries the basics of a neighborhood store—like milk, eggs, butter, bread, and even fishing bait—but doesn’t stop there. There is also specialty coffee, local produce, fine wine, craft beer, locally made chocolate, and locally made crafts and jewelry. In addition, the shop hosts events like cooking classes, beer and wine tastings, pancake breakfasts, back-to-school parties, yoga sessions, live music, and a monthly supper club.

2. Calef’s Country Store

Address: 606 Franklin Pierce Highway (Route 9), Barrington

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It all started 157 years ago, right after the Civil War. Mary Chesley Calef mortgaged her farm on what’s now Franklin Pierce Highway and turned her house’s front room into a general store. The nineteenth-century white-frame building with a large front porch has been a mainstay on the side of the busy road since Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated as president and the Cog Railway first climbed Mount Washington. The town post office used to be located in the store, which once sold tires, barrels of salted fish, and farm supplies.

“Soon the general store became the convenience store of the day,” said Joel Sherburne, who worked at Calef’s for over 65 years, and is the subject of the book “Sixty Years of Cuttin’ the Cheese: Joel Sherburne and Calef’s Country Store” by Rebecca Rule. And that’s true to this day. Because of its location and its reputation, about 150,000 customers shop there each year.

In many ways, the shop still looks like a 19th-century business with its original wood ceiling and floors and farmer’s porch. Back in the day, the shop sold penny candy, ginger snaps, barrel pickles, jams, relishes, and its iconic Snappy Old Cheddar Cheese—and it still does! But through its five generations of Calef-family owners, and current owners Greg Bolton and Len Angelo, the store also keeps other convenience items stocked, including soap, shampoo, toys, soda, Calef-brand muffin and bread mixes, New Hampshire maple syrup, jelly, and locally made gifts. This is also the spot that busy locals and visitors can pick up a fresh salad or a Calef Family Specialty sandwich on house-made bread like Harlan’s Oven Roast Beef, Jocko Calef’s Reuben, and the Uncle Clarence-from-Buffalo chicken sandwich.

“You’ve got to be current for people to come to you,” said Bolton on an episode of WCVB’s “Chronicle.” “But part of the reason they come is that they want that old-fashioned feeling.”

3. JJ’s Market and Deli

Address: 193 Main Street, Andover

Hours: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sunday.

The motto for independently owned JJ’s Market says it all: “Fresh eats and friendly vibes: All the essentials you need, in the convenience of a hometown store.” JJ’s location on the main drag of town, across from Proctor Academy, makes it a prime stop in this small town, especially for students and those stopping for gas and goodies on their way to ski or hike at Ragged Mountain State Forest. Jen and John Braley bought the store eight years ago, which housed Jake’s Market and Deli for 18 years. The couple said JJ’s is focused on quality products, community, and good food.

The latter is a big draw for customers who stop by in the morning for affordable and sizeable breakfast sandwiches, like the popular JJ’s Favorite Breakfast Bomb with egg cheese, shaved steak, hash browns on an English muffin ($5.95 ), burgers, and deli sandwiches, like the popular chicken cordon bleu sandwich ($9.99), all of which one customer wrote “were always amazing!” on JJ’s Facebook page. The store also sells prepared dinners and caters platters for small events.

JJ’s also sells wine and beer, locally sourced products, produce, flowers, handcrafted jewelry, crafts, greeting cards, and even live worms for anglers visiting the store.

4. Lola’s Kitchen and Oceanfront Convenience

Address: 339 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Arugably the convenience store with the best view, Lola’s Kitchen and Oceanfront Convenience opened up directly across from Hampton Beach in 2015. Sure, you can pick up a bag of chips or a package of red plastic cups, but if you head to the counter at the back of the store, you can also indulge in some authentic Lebanese and homemade American fare. You can grab a homemade falafel wrap, stuffed grape leaves, a slice of spanakopita, or a piece of baklava and head to the beach or eat at the long picnic-style table at the tiny store and chat with co-owners/chefs Lola and Jimmy Aboukhalil.

New and repeat customers talk as much about the warmth of the owners as they do about the homemade Mediterranean treats. “Lola’s is the best! You’re treated like family the moment you walk in the door. Great (to drink) coffee, sit and relax watching the waves,” commented one customer on the store’s Facebook page.