Coffee at the Barre

If you've never been to the world-renowned Currier Museum of Art right here in the heart of Manchester, this episode will surely inspire you to visit! Corinne Benfield is the Director of Community Partnerships and Membership at the museum, and has been working to engage the community and spread the word that the museum is open to all.

Corinne began her career at the Currier, then worked for the Greater Manchester Chamber for a few years, but her passion for art and community led her back to the Currier Museum a few months ago. She says that finding a way to break down the barriers to art is her "guiding star," and in her short time in her role she has begun to do just that! Listen as Corinne takes us through a history of the museum, some of the events and programs they host, and highlights some interesting items in their collection. Be sure to check out Art After Work every Thursday from 5-8pm for live music in the Winter Garden Café and free admission to the galleries!

Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Small business owners know better than anyone that we all need organization in our lives, and this week we have the perfect solution! Lauren McCall hatched the idea for Simplify by Lauren during her time working as a teacher and personal assistant. Simplify has been in business for 9 months, and has since become Lauren's full time career! She started spreading the word through social media and referrals, and was able to hire 3 additional employees.

Simplify has grown incredibly quickly in such a short amount of time. Lauren has a unique approach and goes in depth with clients to find out their wants and needs in an organized space, even down to her little clients' playrooms. As Lauren continues to expand Simplify, she has kept her mission of building a sense of community at the forefront of everything she does. Simplify offers free consultations in MA & NH! Email [email protected] for more information!

Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Today we are joined by a leader in the restaurant and catering industry! Keri Laman started Tidewater Catering in 2000 and is celebrating 22 years in business this year. Keri takes us through the history of her company and highlights what it takes to maintain and grow a successful business. She credits her success to her problem solving skills, and she discusses the need to take calculated risks to grow your business.

Keri started the company as strictly a catering service, but in 2005 was presented with the opportunity to expand into corporate cafes. Today, Keri owns and operates Tidewater Catering Group, party services, 5 corporate cafes, the Riverside Room event space, and 2 retail cafes, Waterworks Café and Unity Café. She is about to re-open Bayona Café in a new location, and all of her businesses are located in Manchester, NH!

Be sure to visit Keri's amazing cafés and get in touch with Tidewater for your next event!


Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Alex has some big news to share on today's episode...Join us as Ashley and Alex talk all about Café la Reine's second location! Alex has been working on this project since the beginning of the year, and is excited to finally announce Café la Reine - North End! The new restaurant is located at 53 Hooksett Road in the former Blake's Restaurant. CLR North End will feature a brunch and lunch menu, a full bar, and the full coffee, espresso, and tea menu from the downtown location. Alex anticipates opening in August! Stay tuned, and keep your eye on social for exact opening dates. If you are interested in working at either location, please send your resume and availability to [email protected].  See you there!

Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Today's episode features a unique and new business in Manchester! Kelley-Sue LeBlanc, known to most as KSL, was inspired to open The Sleazy Vegan food truck after experiencing a lack of plant-based options in restaurants, bars and breweries. She has a background in tech and photography, but is super passionate about making whole food, plant-based (WFPB) meals approachable and accessible. Prior to COVID, KSL was working with SNHU on a study to see if Manchester, NH would support a WFPB restaurant. The idea was put on the back-burner until late 2021 when an opportunity to rent a kitchen space popped up! The Sleazy Vegan opened for business on April 1, 2022. They just purchased their first food truck, named "Aggie," and she will be on the road within the next few weeks!  Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok to find out where the truck will be next. Order online for weekly delivery, and be sure to check out their catering menu!

Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Today's episode features a staple in the Greater Manchester community.  Alyssa Van Guilder opened Apotheca Flowers in Goffstown, NH 17 years ago this year! Alyssa grew up in Alaska where her parents owned and operated a cafe. She saw their experience as entrepreneurs, and used this to shape her inspiration for Apotheca. "Apotheca" is latin for storehouse or variety, and the company's mission is to, "acknowledge, uplift, inspire, and impact." You may know Apotheca as a flower shop and cafe, but the business has expanded to include wedding flowers, wedding venues, and a design house.  Alyssa is a self-taught flower designer and artist and she approaches flowers in an art-driven way. Apotheca's design house is located in Goffstown and is used for wedding flowers and events. Alyssa and her team are excited to announce a new event space at the Factory on Willow! The Gardens at the Factory on Willow will host weddings and events designed by Apotheca Flowers. We hope you draw some inspiration from this episode, and give Apotheca a visit next time you're in Goffstown!


Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Today's episode features one of our favorite small businesses, 27 Teas! 27 Teas is an online tea and herbal tisane company located in New Hampshire. Margaret Gay left the corporate world in 2018 to pursue her passion for loose leaf tea. In visiting cafes, she felt as though coffee drinkers had many options for special drinks, but tea and tea drinkers were mostly overlooked. Margaret's company focuses on adding value and options for cafes, as well as educating her customers on the benefits of loose leaf tea versus tea bags. 27 Teas gives back by donating a percentage of profits to The Water Project, located in Concord, NH. Sign up for their monthly tea subscription here! You can also find 27 Teas at Café la Reine, and a few other coffee shops and cafés in the area.


Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

This week's episode features a must-try on the West Side, Presto Craft Kitchen! Joe Grella owns Presto along with his family, and was inspired by his restaurant experience to open this family-style takeout spot. After experiencing the hustle of high end restaurants, hotels, kitchens, and more, Joe wanted to create a place that was approachable and family focused. Joe and his wife started a catering business, Custom Eats and Sweets, and were looking for a commissary kitchen in the Manchester area. When they found their space on the West Side, they knew they had to bring some vibrance back to their neighborhood. Presto Craft Kitchen was born out of a love for family, quality ingredients, and the hope to create a community hub. Joe and his family have done just that! We hope you enjoy learning more about Presto Craft Kitchen. Be sure to visit them at 168 Amory St. and follow them on Facebook & Instagram!

Today's episode of Coffee at the Barre is sponsored by our friends Ethos & Able Creative! You can visit them at eacreative.co, email [email protected], or text Dante at (781) 710-2294.

Today's episode features a favorite among Manchester's small businesses, Ethos & Able Creative! Dante Marino started EAC in 2020 with his brother, Vinny, after seeing so many of their small business friends struggle to afford, and actually enjoy, working with marketing and social media management companies. Dante wanted to create a business that could collaborate with small businesses and support them unlike any other agency. He is extremely passionate about working with and elevating the small, local businesses in our community, and has a knack for getting to know a brand inside and out.  Although EAC was started in 2020, they have worked with an incredible amount of small businesses, and have created an amazing reputation and name for themselves in a very short amount of time. They have truly made it their mission to encourage people to support small, locally owned businesses, and to help those businesses succeed. We learned so much and had so much fun talking with Dante! Ashley and Alex have both loved working with Ethos & Able Creative, and continue to work with them today. If you are interested in learning more, contact them here! 

Second Saturdays are here!

Second Saturdays are a downtown small business driven initiative to bring awareness to the local business community.

Look for specials, sales, events and more every second Saturday of the month!

April is the first month and we anticipate this program to pick up attention and speed as the months go on. 

Some of the businesses involved include:
Barre Life, Café la Reine, Diz’s Cafe, Statement Boutique, AR Workshop, Shadow and Soul Emporium, Pop of Color, Adored, Diane Crespo FIne Art, Fisher Cats, Creative Framing Solutions, Smoothie Bus, Boards and Brews, HopKnot, The Bookery, Market Square Jewelers, Studio 550, The Terracotta Room, A&E Coffee and Tea, Thirsty Moose, Wild Orchid Bakery, Blush Beauty Boutique, and Studio Verne. 

Make sure you follow all of the amazing downtown businesses on social media to stay up to date with their events and deals this weekend. Support local this saturday, April 9!

Ashley & Alex have a special cross promotion for this Saturday. Stop into Café la Reine and show that you took a class at Barre Life this Saturday for 20% off your cafe order. Screen shot and send your receipt to Barre Life showing you purchased from Café la Reine to receive 15% off a class pass.  

See you Saturday!