Merrimack Valley Magazine

2018 MVMA Winners – Milestone

September 1, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Thousands of ballots have been cast, the results tabulated, and now we present the winners of the 2018 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners!

Milestone Award – 5 Years
Red Antler Apothecary
Red Antler Apothecary is located in Lowell’s Mill No. 5, a repurposed factory on Jackson Street. The apothecary sells soaps, moisturizers, cleansers and even mustache wax. Their ethically created, home crafted products include a pine tar soap recipe that is over 100 years old. Environmentally conscious clients can bring their own containers — Red Antler’s cream, lotions and cleaners are sold by the ounce.
Mill No. 5
250 Jackson St.
Lowell, Mass.
RedAntlerApothecary.com

Milestone Award – 10 years
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus
With free WiFi, compostable cups, outdoor seating and custom-roasted beans, what more could you ask for in a local coffee shop? Find all this and more at Brew’d Awakening. Offering Equal Exchange fair trade coffees and three in-house roasts, Brew’d Awakening is a great place to do some work, chat with friends or just sit and sip.
61 Market St.
Lowell, Mass.
BrewdAwakening.com

Milestone Award – 20 years
Cobblestones of Lowell
Cobblestones has brought creative American dining to downtown Lowell since 1994. While their dinner and lunch menus feature an unrivaled selection of craft brews and oysters, don’t overlook their legendary Sunday brunch offerings. A fried chicken and bacon waffle with maple honey butter? Cookie butter-stuffed French toast? Zucchini and goat cheese strata? What are you waiting for?
91 Dutton St.
Lowell, Mass.
CobblestonesOfLowell.com

Milestone Award – 30 years
Latitude Sports Clubs
Get that tip-top beach body you’ve always wanted at Latitude Sports Clubs. Bulk up with their rows of state-of-the-art weight machines and equipment. Trim down in the spinning studio or cardio theater. Get yourself on track with the help of Latitude’s trained fitness professionals or one of their famous classes.
Andover, Bradford, Methuen, Peabody, and Salisbury, Mass.
LatitudeSportsClubs.com

Milestone Award – 40 Years
Heritage Farm
As famous for its summertime Monday night classic car shows as its ice cream, Heritage lives up to its name, having fed and entertained families in the valley for over 35 years. Order your ice cream and cross the street for a walk along the Merrimack. It’s a Lowell tradition that will likely endure for years to come.
163 Pawtucket Blvd.
Lowell, Mass.
HeritageFarmIceCream.com

Milestone Award – 50 years
Jackson Kitchen Designs
In the market for a new countertop? How about freshening up the cabinetry? Ready to throw in the towel on your entire kitchen? Family-owned and operated since 1946, Jackson Kitchen Designs can help you love your kitchen again. Work with their designers to create a perfect space for your style and needs.
1093 Osgood St.
North Andover, Mass.
JacksonKitchenDesigns.com

Milestone Award – 75 years
Rocco’s Restaurant
In 1940, Rocco DePasquale opened the doors of Rocco’s Restaurant where he and his family served spaghetti and meatballs and baked their pizzas in a coal-fire hearth. In the early ‘60s, Rocco V. DePasquale took over and added a “groceria” from which he sold cold cuts and rotisserie chicken. In 1997, Rocco turned the restaurant over to his sons. Rocco Jr. and Matt updated the restaurant, exposing the original stonework their grandfather built. They added new dishes to the menu such as buffalo chicken, rattlesnake pasta and chicken Florentine while keeping all the traditional favorites: eggplant Parmigiana, chicken Marsala and pizza.
193 Main St.
Wilmington, Mass.
RoccosMA.com

Milestone Award – 100 years
UMass Lowell
The university began as the Lowell Normal School, a teaching college founded in 1894, and the Lowell Textile School, founded in 1895 to train technicians and managers for the textile industry. Lowell State and Lowell Tech, as they were then known, merged in 1975 to form the University of Lowell. The campus became part of the University of Massachusetts system in 1991. The university offers more than 17,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in six colleges and is among the top 160 research universities in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report.
Lowell, Mass.
UML.edu

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Play

August 28, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Live Music Venue
Lowell Summer Music Series at Boarding House Park
You haven’t enjoyed all Lowell has to offer until you’ve taken in a concert at the Lowell Summer Music Series. The list of artists who have graced this stage is impressive. Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Koko Taylor and Bela Fleck are just a few. Concerts are held on the grounds of Lowell National Historical Park’s Boarding House Park, a beautiful setting bursting with local history. Enjoy on-site concessions and don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
40 French St.
Lowell, Mass.
LowellSummerMusic.org

Theater / Arts Venue
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Merrimack Repertory Theatre has been Merrimack Valley’s professional theater company since 1979 and is an integral part of Lowell’s identity as the cultural heart of the region. The company is a leader in fostering and celebrating new plays, frequently producing world and regional premieres, as well as working with its national network of associate artists on workshops and readings. Acknowledging that artists are at the core of all creative work, MRT focuses on developing relationships with artists who are attracted to Lowell by MRT’s reputation for its commitments to the highest artistic standards.
50 E. Merrimack St.
Lowell, Mass.
MRT.org

Family Fun
Wamesit Lanes Family Entertainment Center
Wamesit Lanes is a fun, positive, family friendly destination. They claim to be the only luxury candlepin and tenpin center in the world and offer high quality year-round entertainment for area residents of all ages. Aside from bowling, Wamesit Lanes offers simulator golf, a cribbage league, the Laser Frenzy maze attraction and an arcade. Feeling hungry? Stop by their Firewater Tavern for contemporary American cuisine.
434 Main St.
Tewksbury, Mass.
WamesitLanes.com

Festival
Lowell Folk Festival
Music lovers rejoice! This free annual festival kicks off at the end of July with three days of nonstop tunes. Along with music from around the world, enjoy craft demonstrations and ethnic food stalls scattered throughout Lowell’s downtown. Watch street performers, let the kids run free in the family activity area and dance the night away.
Lowell, Mass.
LowellFolkFestival.org

Museums
Boott Cotton Mills Museum
As visitors enter the museum, they walk back in time. Witness a full-scale replica of Industrial Revolution-era weaving looms as the roar of the machines adds to the immersive experience. Operated by Lowell National Historical Park, the museum is a testament to the lives of the people whose labor built the city as we know it.
115 John St.
Lowell, Mass.
Nps.gov/lowe

Stop by next week for the winners in the ‘Milestone’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Retail Therapy

August 20, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Specialty Retail
Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop
Rose & Dove, with its ever-changing selection, is well-known among locals as the go-to place for wedding, baby and hostess gifts with a twist. Owner Kellee Twadelle founded Rose & Dove in 2005 and the store has evolved over time from focusing on gourmet gift baskets to their current specialization — a mix of artful and affordable gifts for every occasion.
565 Chickering Road
North Andover, Mass.
RoseAndDove.com

Florist
The Flower Mill
Since it opened in 2012, The Flower Mill has provided the Lowell community
with a wide variety of custom floral arrangements for all occasions. Owner Joanna Hall is a self-taught designer who studied fine arts in Italy and at Manchester’s New Hampshire Institute of Art. She also makes the store’s 100 percent soy wax candles.
183 Dutton St.
Lowell, Mass.
LowellFlowerMill.com

Fine Jewelry
Royal Jewelers
Royal Jewelers’ designer jewelry and Swiss timepieces have earned them celebrity clients and an international reputation. Seventy years after it debuted at its original Lawrence location, owners Steven and Paula Leed are still keen on offering the “Royal Experience.” Their watch collection rivals the offerings at big city jewelers.
58 Main St.
Andover, Mass.
RoyalJewelers.com

Men’s Fashion (tie)
Farley’s of Newburyport
From casual denim to custom clothing, Farley’s offers select garments suitable for work, play and everything in between. They specialize in casual sportswear, formal men’s clothing (both custom and in store) and a variety of men’s accessories, leather goods and more. Farley’s also has its own private label and the store’s made-to-measure program offers made in America suits, slacks, top coats and more.
47 State St.
Newburyport, Mass.
FarleysOfNewburyport.com

Shaban’s of Andover
Shaban’s of Andover is a high-end men’s specialty store and is a favorite for one-stop shopping featuring classic modern suits, business casual attire, exciting dress shirts and ties and sharp weekend wear. Shaban’s offers custom tailoring and alterations as well as quality dry cleaning. Owner and custom tailor Shaban Catalbas was inspired by his father from whom he learned his tailoring skills. All told, Shaban has been custom tailoring for over 40 years.
9 Main St.
Andover, Mass.
ShabansOfAndover.com

Women’s Fashion
Humanity
Humanity sells overlooked and timeless pieces that encourage their clients to live in style. As a Lowell-based boutique, they incorporate the culture and style of the city into this mix and attitude. Over the years, they have become the go-to place for individualistic fashionistas.
128 Merrimack St.
Lowell, Mass.
HumanityStyle.com

Consignment Shops
Chic Consignment
Clients come from all over the Merrimack Valley to visit this Andover consignment shop. They offer an ever-changing selection of fun, trendy and high-end clothes and accessories, with a head-turning selection of handbags.
46 Main St.
Andover, Mass.
ChicConsignment.com

Stop by next week for the winners in the ‘Play’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Health & Beauty

August 11, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Day Spa
Spa Nijoli and Salon
Rejuvenate your body and soul with treatments at Spa Nijoli. Treat yourself to a soothing seaweed wrap or bring out your inner queen with their signature goddess treatment. Bring your man in for a gentleman’s facial or couples massage. They also offer waxing, spray tans and a salon with hair, nail and makeup studios.
116 Pleasant Valley St.
Methuen, Mass.
Nijoli.com

Salon
Robert Jason Salon
Want to flaunt your flowing locks? Looking for a Pinterest-worthy updo? Let the masters at Robert Jason Salon tame your mane for your big day. One trip to this spa-like oasis will have your hair in tip-top shape. Still obsessed even after your wedding? The salon offers haircuts, color and other services every day of the year.
92 Main St.
Andover, Mass.
RobertJasonSalon.com

Health Clubs
Merrimack Valley YMCA
The Merrimack Valley YMCA is a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Y’s activities have significantly enhanced public access to fitness, health, educational enrichment and numerous other services especially among children, the disabled, the homeless and at-risk populations.
Andover/North Andover, Lawrence and Methuen, Mass.
MVYMCA.org

Specialty Fitness
CrossFit Lowell
The intense CrossFit movement has revolutionized the world of fitness, and Lowell is home to a particularly active cadre of its proponents. “We love your weird,” notes CrossFit Lowell’s website, and maybe that’s one reason for this gym’s popularity — it is smart, inclusive and unconventional. Sean Osborne, Gina Tacconi-Moore and crew are looking to make Lowell physically fit, one WOD at a time.
2 Foundry Industrial Park
Lowell, Mass.
CrossFitLowell.com

Laser Therapy
All Care Laser Center
All Care Laser Center is the Merrimack Valley’s go-to for all things laser technology. They specialize in coolsculpting, laser facials, Botox injections, tattoo removal, cellulite treatments and a whole host of other procedures. Laser hair removal is also available for all skin types, and their professional, qualified staff will make sure your experience is pleasant and comfortable.
820A Turnpike St.
North Andover, Mass.
AllCareLaserCenter.com

Alternative Health & Wellness
Healing Spirits Integrative Wellness Center
Reiki, massage, aromatherapy, shiatsu and meditation are all offered at Healing Spirits. They even offer specialized services such as massage for animals and healing and wellness workshops year-round. Sign up and improve your focus, decrease stress and find much needed balance.
134 Newton Road
Plaistow, N.H.
HealingSpiritsWellness.com

Skincare
Andrea’s Skin Care
Skin feeling tired? Bring its natural beauty back to life at Andrea’s. Their skin experts offer facials, microdermabrasion and eyelash and eyebrow tinting. If you’re getting ready for a night out, stop in for a wax or have a professional makeup artist create a stunning look with Andrea’s own line of mineral makeup.
78 Main St.
Andover, Mass.
AndreasSkinCare.com

Oral Health
Dr. Joseph A. Cardarelli Jr.
Cardarelli Orthodontics of Massachusetts delivers a full range of advanced orthodontics, from traditional braces to Invisalign Teen. Dr. Cardarelli’s practice features an in-house orthodontic lab and has been serving the Merrimack Valley for over 35 years. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Department of Orthodontics at Tufts University.
234 Summer St.
Haverhill, Mass.
DrCardarelli.com

Stop by next week for the winners in the ‘Retail Therapy’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Good Eats, Part 2

August 6, 2018 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Wine Shop
Westford Wine & Spirits
The variety of soju alone should clue you in that Westford Wine & Spirits is not your average liquor store. With a tasting bar, massive craft beer selection, impressive array of hard-to-find artisanal and small batch offerings and knowledgeable owner, it’s easy to see why this store is so popular. Bonus points go to the laid-back and friendly staff.
9 Cornerstone Sq.
Westford, Mass.
WestfordWineAndSpirits.com

World Cuisine
moonstones
Cobblestones of Lowell’s younger sister, moonstones delivers on variety with their globally-inspired menu. Stop in for brunch, lunch or dinner or enjoy Turkish mezze, a croque madame or Korean pork belly with a few of their signature cocktails. For less adventurous diners, there are American options. Need to translate a foreign word? Check out the global glossary at the bottom of their menu.
185 Chelmsford St.
Chelmsford, Mass.
Moonstones110.com

New Restaurant
Copper Door
Tom Boucher’s Copper Door restaurants are known for their classic design and New American cuisine. The new Salem location’s seasonal menu centers on steak and seafood, with a few surprises. The locally sourced food impresses, and the fireside ambiance makes it the perfect place to kick back with a glass of single malt Scotch whisky from their extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu.
41 South Broadway
Salem, N.H.
CopperDoorRestaurant.com/Salem.html

Diner
Owl Diner
Breakfast at this historic diner is guaranteed to start your day off right. Old favorites are given new life in Owl’s savory steak and eggs, homemade corned beef hash and creamed chipped beef on toast. Soups, salads and sandwiches make up the lunch menu. Wake up and fuel up at the Owl Diner.
244 Appleton St.
Lowell, Mass.

Frozen Treats
Kimball Farm
Kimball Farm has been making ice cream for more than 75 years. With a variety of sherbet, sorbet and frozen yogurt, in addition to more than 50 flavors of ice cream, there’s something for everyone. Vanilla ice cream is a traditional crowd favorite, particularly in hot fudge sundaes, banana splits and the Kimball Special — three softball-size scoops of ice cream, three toppings, marshmallow, whipped cream and nuts.
Carlisle, Lancaster and Westford, Mass.; Jaffrey, N.H.
KimballFarm.com

Alfresco Dining
Grazie Italian Restaurant at Four Oaks Country Club
Prominently situated at the Four Oaks Country Club, an 18-hole championship golf course, you can’t miss Grazie unless the incredible views distract you. Their wood-burning oven was imported from Naples, Italy — it produces pizzas with a fire-kissed crust. Traditional Italian appetizers such as calamari fritti and prosciutto di Parma and entrees such as pappardelle with braised boar and porcini mushroom ragu are perfect for outdoor dining.
Dracut, Mass.
Grazie.Restaurant

Caterer
Lenzi’s Catering
You may have heard of their famous baked chicken pot pie or maybe even the zucchini bread, the virtues of which are extolled even by those who otherwise hate zucchini bread. The wedding packages are a Merrimack Valley institution and, suitably, the establishment looks out over the region’s namesake river.
810 Merrimack Ave.
Dracut, Mass.
LenziCatering.com

Seafood
Joe Fish Seafood Restaurant and Bar
With fun, funky decor and a reputation for freshness, Joe Fish has been hooking the locals for years. It’s casual enough for a night out with the kids, but has plenty of grown-up choices including clam chowder, raw oysters, pan roasted mussels and garlic shrimp. Burgers, steaks and an assortment of vegetarian entrees round out the menu. Portions are plentiful, and there’s a handful of tasty desserts to cap off your meal.
1120 Osgood St.
North Andover, Mass.
JoeFish.net

Confectioner (tie)
Sanborn’s Candies
Since 1957, this family-owned house of confectionary is old-fashioned in the best way. With handmade chocolates, mints and fudge, there’s always something there to satisfy your sweet tooth. Stop by and discover again why nothing beats a chocolate-covered pretzel.
143 Plaistow Road
Plaistow, N.H.
SanbornsFineCandies.com

Chocolate Moose
This small store hosts a wide assortment of candies and treats. On the hottest summer days, their signature chocolates might threaten a meltdown, but there are candied apples and even ice cream as an alternative. Better yet, crank up your air-conditioning and go for the creative, clever treats that give Chocolate Moose its reputation.
184 North Broadway
Salem, N.H.

Stop by next week for the winners in the ‘Health & Beauty’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Milestone

2018 MVMA Winners – Play

2018 MVMA Winners – Retail Therapy

2018 MVMA Winners – Health & Beauty

2018 MVMA Winners – Good Eats, Part 2

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