Center Harbor Provisions closed
 

Been driving by all week and no action. Later in the week
heard that they were done. Went there a few times in the
mornings with no complaints. Always a bummer to see this
kinda thing . . .

if true, that didn't take long. Their website doesn't say anything in regards to being closed but they have not had a Facebook post since early December so who knows.

Not in service
 

I just tried Their Phone Number

"The number you tried is not in service."

Phone: (603) 253-3333

Past posts predicted a poor business plan...
 

Hindsight is 20/20. They had a major competitor in Piccolo Market, just up the street. My observation of both, was that Piccolo was (is) far more prepared for the longer haul and offered (offers) a much better and higher scale choice. Piccolo, sadly, is not very convenient to the Center Harbor docks (Hint! Hint!).

It saddens me, however, to see anyone's dream fall through.

FOOT TRAFfIC?
 

As for Piccolo's

Would they have the same amount of foot traffic? A lot of people coming and going into that general business area?

No surprise there, for me. I went in there, looked at the menu's....soup, sandwich, etc..They had no soup. They didn't have the ingredients to make the sandwich, that was clearly on the chalk board....I asked for something, else, I don't remember what is was now, and that was not available....see ya!

Don't know...
 

Provisions would have foot traffic because of Heaths, the docks, True Value hardware, other local businesses and a much higher visibility from Rt. 25 traffic. Piccolo is in a small "mall" area...More of a destination to drive to than a chance notice by passing by.

I was so jazzed to see CHP open last year. That is, until all of the workers there threw my buddies and me shade for being upset our three sandwiches took an hour--literally an hour--to ready. Too many places on the way to camp to put up with that.

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Very sad
 

Just heard the news tonight. We had become regulars over the winter at Provisions . A family man with a dream. The guy worked hard and was very accommodating and friendly. Sorry to see this end

I was really shocked and sad to see this place was closed. It became my regular place to go to grab a breakfast sandwich. Lots of gluten free options which are hard to find. The owner was very friendly and eager to provide a quality product. I know the difficulties of starting a business and the closing of one. You can feel pretty defeated in life. I hope Peter picks him self up quickly from this even the greatest entrepreneurs have failures. Chin up and thanks for being a part of my morning ritual.


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Yes this is extremely sad news....:( Peter and his family will be missed. We also were regulars and went there once a week. There breakfast and dinners were good and was looking forward to the all cooked food to go this summer. He made the best soups also... We wish Peter and his family only the best. Thank you.....

New owner
 

Hope you like pork and barbecue ribs. Good source told me that Scott, owner of the Canoe, has bought the building and will open his barbecue menu there.

This would be GREAT. I just hope the prices will be reasonable. I'd love a reliable takeout place in that area!

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The rent us just too high to support a small restaurant especially during the offseason. Same reason that BayGulls moved.


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I don't know what people see in Canoe. I've been there 3 times and I was disappointed all three times with the food and the service. I think I gave them enough of a shot to redeem themselves. I won't ever go back.

I've seen reviews like this here and there, but it's so weird because we've been in at least ten times in the last couple years and we've been happy literally every time. And I'm always on guard since I always order a fairly expensive entree--$25+--and have soup or an appetizer. I'm the guy who hates--HATES--getting hosed at restaurants.

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We went to Canoe once. It was like 5 and nobody was there. The woman at the desk told us they could seat us at 8:30!

overpriced and a touch arrogant...
 

This is getting way off topic about Center Harbor Provisions, but I felt compelled to chime in about Canoe. We've been there 2 or 3 times, most recent of which was a couple years ago. The food is good, but WAY overpriced for central NH, in my opinion. If I recall correctly, the NY Sirloin was approaching $30? Throw in the somewhat arrogant hostess, (STRONGLY suggesting that we could not be seated in the dining room because we had "kids"....who were like 15 & 17 at the time, and the older one had her license!), and it makes for a place to which we do not envision returning.

I agree about Canoe, been once and will never be back.

Maybe that is why we were told 3 and a half hour wait for an empty restaurant, because we had a 6 year old with us.

All three times I was there I was not pleased with the staff. I also found them to be arrogant and generally not very pleasant. I thought I just had a bad experience so I gave it a few more tries. I'm not one to complain to management. I just won't ever go back.

I love Canoe. I go at least 5 or 6 times a year. Great food and wine is always good. Highly recommend.

I've only been with my 4 & 6-year-olds, so I dunno. Last summer, we went there during a ridiculous hail storm and sat on the porch--what a wonderful meal that was (with friends and their 4 & 7-year-olds).

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back to the subject . I have seen many times where a landlord has a good paying tenant and decides to raise the rent a lot and the result is the tenant leaves and the place stays vacant. I don't know if Scott will go in there but bet it will be with cost that he can make money . By the way I have been a few times to Canoe. the food is good , a little over priced but also the way the restaurant is set up can be very noisy when fairly crowded

I'm a little surprised to hear that Scott is taking on this endeavor. He had to cut back hours at the canoe due to difficulties staffing. Where is the staff going to come from for this place.

I have the same complaint about Ellacoya.

Fortunately that's the only complaint.

IMHO his menu was geared too much towards higher end clientele that isn't here long enough throughout the year to support it. I believe places like that need to cater to the locals with good home style items at reasonable prices in order to survive. Think Bob House. Would love to have seen a place like SubCrazy in that location. I bet it would be crawling with builders, landscapers, cops, etc all year long.

I know a guy who spent years training and working in high end restaurants and even spent time at an American style kitchen in Japan. Eventually when he opened his own place it was a snack shack on the island of North Haven in Maine. as he said: "Fine dining is fun but the money is in french fries"

Sub Crazy is interesting, but they, too, are pricy.

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Their sandwiches aren't cheap but it's incredible what you get for your money. A large Italian is $9-$10 but it's easily enough to split 2 ways if not 3.

Look like it is happening.
 

Over the last several days I have seen various vehicles parked in front of Provisions with markings of several of Stott's businesses.

One today had O Stake Bistro emblem on the rear quarter. The other was a Brown Panel Truck, did not catch the Name.

I don't think it will take too much time before we know exactly what type of "Restaurant" it will be.

Only having been to CHP once, that one time was on a weekday, non-busy time of day (one woman sitting outside, no one inside)
We ordered roll up sandwiches and I wanted fries but the guy said they "couldn't or wouldn't be able to" at that time...didn't question why but found the people a little strange about something...couldn't quite put our finger on it...like something secretive was going on but we weren't privy to it. :confused:
Sat outside waiting (we had our dog with us) for what seemed like an excruciatingly, long time and even went inside to see if they forgot about us and someone said "it will be a few more minutes" (2 cold cut wraps and a bag of chips?)
Went back outside and someone finally came out with the food.
What we had was very good so we ate and enjoyed it. Someone brought out our bill (wouldn't let us pay when we ordered) and I cringed when I saw it was nearly $40 for the food...yikes!
Chalked it up as an expensive, lunch and went on our way.
Not surprised they shut down.

The thing was, none of the workers--including the apparent owner--seemed to have any idea why we were upset at waiting an hour for a couple sandwiches.

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It seems that Scott Ouellette will in fact be operating a business at the former Center Harbor Provisions building under the name Bellies-N-Butts. Not sure of the details or menu but I am told the business will offer barbeque and in the morning something different, perhaps with Cider Bellies donuts.

Really?
 

Sounds like another workout place...

That's hilarious

That is a ridiculous name for a business in that area.

I thought he had more class than that. It sure doesn't fit the area's character.

Add rotund, customers wearing yoga pants and it takes that name to another level altogether!
😬

Maybe ... the characters in that area ... rather than, the area's character ... would be more apropos! :)

Maybe Whole Belly Clams and Pulled Pork Sandwichs?

Sounds like cider belly doughnuts and pulled pork. Why do critical? it's just a restaurant name not offensive at all.


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After considering all of this Sage input, he adjusted the name. It is now "Guts N Butts" to better match the area.

What AREA would it be more suitable for in your expert opinion?


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no expert here... just feel that the name has attributes that are not fitting for the area.

sorry you feel differently...have a great day!

I agree--the name would be better suited to the Weirs area, like Looney Bin and Broken Spoke. But with Lavinia's, Piccolo, Mug by the Bay, etc. Butts just doesn't fit in.

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Name Game
 

Hate to butt in, but a "clever" name is readily remembered. If the offerings are delicious, the name may become acceptable to most folks. 🐷 🐖 🥓 🍺

I don't understand why we should care what he names the new restaurant. Its his right to name it anythng ( one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston is called no name) . When all said and done if he offers great food at a reasonable price he will succeed if not it will end up as another restaurant that didn't suceed. For me i hope he does succeed as we can then have another choice with our dining dollars .

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Well I guess that is another business of Scott's that I will not bother going too...

Scott has had a lot of success, however I have had run ins with his business practices, and his prices.. and don't bother to dine in his establishments anymore....

The lakes region used to be nice, with dining options for all, but lately the trend appears to be to cater to the Urban crowd, business that cater to the common folk with simple menus and fair prices are quickly disappearing...

I beg to differ. With rare exception all of the restaurants in the Lakes Region cater to the simple folk with easy to understand comfort food menus. As to price incase you have not noticed the $5 haircut has also disappeared. The locals do not dine out in sufficient quantity to allow simple places to survive on cheap prices. However, I have found that the 7/11 1.99 cheese burger is outstanding for the price and McDonalds will still fill you up for under $10 a person.

At least we still have George's Diner!!!

I agree. It's not easy to run a restaurant and it's even more of a challenge in a seasonal area like the lakes region or Cape Cod. The price of food has shot up considerably in the past 10 years. If you want cheap eats, go to the grocery store and cook it yourself. Personally I don't mind paying if the food and the service is good. I've heard many people complain about the Common Man restaurants but overall he has a good business model and runs a tight ship which is a difficult task when you have that many places. I've run my own business for over 30 years and if there is one thing I've learned is that you can't please everybody. If you're successful that means you've pleased the majority.

i hope the guts and butts was a joke???? :confused:

Don't forget Center Harbor diner and, of course, the Village Kitchen. Love those places.

Sunshine and Pa's in Meredith is a favorite with our family

Bbq
 

I am looking forward to seeing what Scott and team do in this location. We are always looking for good takeout food, especially dock accessible!!

Hot dog cart????
 

John,

Do you think he may have the HOT DOG Cart down on the Docks again?

A BBQ cart on the Center Harbor docks would be AWESOME!!!

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Not BBQ, but there used to be a food cart at the Center Harbor docks back in 2007:

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