New Business: 603 Bar-B-Q opens in time for Father

Just in time for Father’s Day, 603 Bar-B-Q will reopen in its new spot at the former Pit Road Lounge, 388 Loudon Road. This is good news for those looking for Texas barbecue, but a line will likely form because it is historically the restaurant’s busiest day of the year. A soft opening took place on Friday with a grand opening planned on Saturday. The opening coincides with the end of Bike Week in Laconia. Owner Ben Normandeau said he had hoped to open on May 1, but like most other renovation projects, it hit some roadblocks. He first looked at the space in March 2025 and knew just how much work it would take to overhaul the space. “We just decided this was going to be the right place for us,” he said. “It feels like a barbecue place to me.” The new place was found after a sublease at Lithermans Limited Brewery came to an end. Normandeau has called it a blessing in disguise in landing the new space on a busy stretch of road. “We needed to expand,” he said. “We just needed that kick to do it. When we were at Lithermans, it was comfortable. We knew people were coming every weekend. We could make a certain amount of food in that little kitchen and that is all we could do.” The dining room is full of community tables with high-top tables for two around the perimeter. “The main objective is barbecue is meant to be shared and eaten together,” he said. “So you sit at a table with someone you might not necessarily know.” The space will operate slightly differently with a “meat market” style of serving. Customers will pick sides and then the meat will be sliced fresh on the spot. The new space has a bar and will eventually offer outdoor seating. “They’ll be able to point and say, ‘I want that, I want that, I want that,’” Normandeau said. “I think it is going to be a great thing for the customers.” A cord of red oak stacked in front of the building greets those entering the restaurant. They’ll go through it every other week. The wood is mild to be able to cook the meat for 12 hours, he said. “I don’t think it’s overpowering at all,” he said of the red oak. “There is smoke there. A lot of people up here use hickory and apple wood.” The restaurant is known for its brisket and handmade sausage. “The sausage is something that has gone viral on social media,” he said. “Our most recent clip has over 15 million views.” New digs for toy shop Toy Chest, a popular toy store in North Conway, moved down the street to Intervale. It’s now located at Scenic Vista Plaza next to Trails End Ice Cream. Yes, the plaza is across from the rest area where people can take in the view. The shop first announced the move in February with the official opening on Monday, June 15. Owner Daren Levitt said in a post on Facebook that “one of the greatest joys of our business has been watching our customers grow — from little children picking out their favorite toys to adults shopping for the next generation.” “While we are saying goodbye to North Conway Village, we are very excited to begin our next chapter!” the post reads. Another perk of the new location? “What’s better than toys and ice cream?” a June 11 post reads. North Conway dining While Toy Chest has left North Conway Village, Rise and Dine Bistro just opened at 27 Seavey St. The restaurant is across a parking lot from Vito Marcello’s Italian Bistro. Rise and Dine Bistro is located in the space previously occupied by 27 North, which moved a few blocks away to the Eastern Slope Inn. 27 North and the inn held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the end of last month. This is the first time the inn will have a place where guests can order breakfast since the 1970s. “We’re excited to welcome this new dining partner to the heart of North Conway Village and celebrate the beginning of an exciting new chapter together,” the inn posted on Facebook. Closing note In Manchester, The Bakeshop on Kelly Square will close. “As hard as this is for us, all good things must come to an end,” a note on Facebook reads. “We appreciate all of our customers we have had over the years. We made great memories and delicious desserts that you all have enjoyed and we thank you for your loyalty.” The place, which has been open for 16 years, will officially close on June 26. But there might be more to the story to come. “But wait ... good things are coming,” a chalkboard outside the shop reads. We’ll have to wait to see.