From grocery stores to coffee shops, show love to these immigrant-owned local businesses this holiday season.
Immigrant entrepreneurs play a critical role in our economy, and are, in fact, twice as likely to start businesses as their “native” counterparts. With this entrepreneurship, immigrants—almost 50 million, as per recent data—add jobs and opportunities to the economy, paying billions in taxes to the government.
Despite being just a little over 14% of the population, in 2023, immigrant tax contributions to America were nearly $650 billion, with a spending power of almost $1.7 trillion. And New Hampshire is no stranger to this phenomenon. Despite being sparsely populated, there are immigrant-owned businesses galore in the state!
As we head into the holiday season, shop local, and give love to these immigrant-owned businesses this month—and all year round.
1. Yahso Jamaican Grille in Keene
Run by well-known community member Gail Somers, Yahso, meaning “right here” in Jamaican Patois, has been serving authentic Jamaican food in the Monadnock Region since 2019. A vegan-friendly restaurant, Yahso Jamaican Grille features some island favorites such as Ting soda, Jamaican beef patties, and fried sweet plantains.
Proud of her Jamaican roots, Somers has opened up her space for community events, always centered around authentic island food, since food is a very important part of her culture. Somers is herself a champion of immigrant rights and, in addition to helping local immigrants with employment at her business, calls herself an “equity community organizer.”
Though the downtown location closed in 2024, Yahso still offers catering, food truck, and takeout options.
2. La Mulita Coffee in Rye
Serving the highest-grade, freshest coffee from Columbia, La Mulita Coffee is an ode to owner Max Pruna’s culture. “I started having coffee when I was 6 years old,” Pruna told WMUR news. “It was part of the ritual at home to have coffee even at a young age.”
La Mulita means “little mule” in Spanish, after the animal popularly used to transport coffee cherries from the mountains to the mills. The roastery offers a carefully curated selection of authentic Colombian coffee beans infused with eclectic flavors ranging from honey to wild blueberry to pineapple and toffee. Shop the selection here.
Looking for the perfect Christmas present? Consider buying La Mulita’s coffee subscription for a loved one.
3. After Thai Dessert in Concord
Tucked away on the busy Main Street of downtown Concord, After Thai Dessert is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. The hidden gem not only serves classic Thai desserts, but offers a wider variety of desserts from across Asia—including India, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Owner Vasita Saktanaset is from Bangkok, Thailand, and runs the business along with her husband, who owns and manages the business’ storefront restaurant Siam Orchid.
Sanktanaset started her business not only to present her culture to the community in New Hampshire, but also to satisfy her cravings for sweets that she missed from home. Before, she’d have to drive to Boston to get a piece of home; now, she just has to go to the floor below, where her husband runs his restaurant!
After Thai serves recipes such as coconut pudding from Sanktanaset’s family, but also takes custom orders.
4. Bunny’s Convenience in Manchester
If you’ve ever walked down the commercial strip on Elm Street in downtown Manchester, the chances that you’ve passed Bunny’s Convenience Store are (very) high. The store is stacked with goods of everyday needs, ranging from grocery items to sodas to lottery tickets!
Owners of the convenience store, Pramod Nyaupane and Bibhuti Thapa, both in their 40s, are from Kathmandu, Nepal, and came to the US in 2002. In 2024, they won the Small Business Administration’s “minority-owned” business of the year award.
After more than two decades of being Granite Staters, the couple has developed a deep love for New Hampshire and its community. “We love New Hampshire. It is a good state to live in…it is an educated state, and people are very welcoming,” Pramod told us. “We have done our share here, and the people have done theirs.”
5. Raíces Mexican Restaurant in Manchester
Tucked away at a South Manchester strip Mall, Raíces Authentic Mexican Cuisine, located at 2626 Brown Avenue, hums with warmth and color. It opened its doors to diners earlier this year in February. The restaurant’s Spanish name, Raíces, literally translates into “roots,” and is a pure labor of love that serves generational home recipes to Granite Staters.
At the heart of Raíces is Alma Gabriela Trejo, a culinary connoisseur, whose creative mind was behind the conception of the restaurant. Trejo was born in Hidalgo, Mexico, where her love for food was first realized. A vegetarian-friendly restaurant, the business’ highlight is the freshness and love with which the food is made. From the tortillas to the guacamole, everything is made from scratch. Vegetarians also won’t be disappointed here.
Trejo owns other food businesses: Vida at the Lake and Enso Japanese Steakhouse in Meredith, and Vida Mexican Restaurant in Laconia.
6. Oriental Rug Works in Keene
Looking for the perfect rug to complement your living space? Worry not! Suhail Bhatti of Keene has just the perfect rug for you at Oriental Rug Works. Every thread in the rugs he sells tells a story—from Iran to India to Pakistan, his rugs come from every corner in the world.
Originally from Pakistan, Bhatti harbors a deep love for art and for life. Other than selling rugs, Bhatti routinely opens up his rug store—most famously for annual Eid prayers in the Monadnock Region community. For those interested in learning the art behind the creation of rugs, Bhatti will happily spend some time telling you all about it. History fanatics are welcome to come in and get lost in the history of the handicrafts, then run through the rugs.
A rug that needs a fix? Bhatti’s artistic skills will also come in handy for any damaged rug!
7. Zeba Beauty Salon in Manchester
Owned by Pushpa Dahal, originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Zeba Beauty Salon offers a variety of beauty services—from touch-ups to a full makeover!
The salon, located in the South Willow Street Manchester Commons Shopping Center, specializes in eyebrow threading, extensions, tinting, and henna designs, in addition to offering hair removal services.
With an affordable price set for each service, Zeba Beauty Salon makes sure your needs are met with personalized care. Book an appointment today.
