A world of food at 70 North

LACONIA — Emily Ricard is passionate about food, and she wants to share the tastes of both expected and sometimes unexpected cuisine from near and far.

As a co-owner and operator of 70 North Kitchen and Market, a new specialty and food shop located in the heart of Laconia’s Weirs Beach (years ago, it was a Howard Johnson's and later Faro restaurant, before sitting empty for some time), the market opened in August. Ricard is familiar with the Lakes Region and says Moultonborough is the place she has called home since 1979. “It is the one constant place I have lived,” she says. She has traveled to many places and sampled the best food wherever she goes.

A love and appreciation of great food is the cornerstone of 70 North, where customers can stop by (as regulars are already doing) for coffee and a homemade pastry, to get a salad or sandwich for lunch, or to shop for a selection of gourmet and retail products that Ricard and her staff have curated. The market also has cozy seating for those who want to enjoy coffee, chat with a friend, or relax in a calming place. 

“This is a central location,” Ricard explains. “We wanted to create a place with elevated and surprising food. I have started many businesses, and I wanted 70 North to be a place people would enjoy.”

Ricard saw that many people were relocating to the Lakes Region, increasing a desire for outstanding and unusual food. Additionally, Ricard senses that New Hampshire residents do not demand special things, but when something new is available, residents appreciate it.

“I see that most residents like comfort, and they like to travel and experience new things. They don’t necessarily demand it, but appreciate new foods when available,” she says.

70 North undeniably brings new flavors to the Lakes Region, mainly due to chef Scott Hoffner's talents. He has been the chef since 70 North opened, overseeing the menu and overall philosophy used to create the food.

Ricard knows good food, and she has a strong business sense. The event spaces at 70 North show her flair for the unusual and exciting. At the sophisticated bar, mixology classes offer customers a chance to learn more about mixed drinks.

“They also get to sample some unique and delicious foods during the class,” Ricard says.

According to Ricard, the original idea for the former Faro restaurant building was to renovate it for rental. After some thought, Ricard and her business partners — her two brothers — realized the building would best serve as a specialty gourmet market, event space and eatery. They set about revamping the once-empty structure, which Ricard said was huge and perhaps needed a better layout. After an update, it is a modern, attractive business with a café area where customers can sit and enjoy coffee and other goodies.

Event spaces also are available. Willow Furey, event coordinator for 70 North, adds, “We do private parties, and the bar is open for private events. We also offer classes.”

Ricard knows the items in the market quite well and likes to talk with customers about the unique products, such as a variety of cheeses from Spain, France and the Netherlands, to name a few, or jams from France, and local coffee from Wayfarer.

Cheese lovers will appreciate Ricard’s selection of cheeses, highlighting different regions, milk types and ripeness.

Another segment of Ricard’s plans for 70 North is far-reaching and offers something new to the Lakes Region: special classes and meals to share the staff’s knowledge of fine food. “I want to do regularly scheduled events,” she says. Some of those events focus on mixology classes that are already popular. Also in the works are cheesemaking and coffee appreciation classes.

As Ricard has said, the classes are optional for Lakes Region customers, but if offered, people relish learning about and sampling new foods.

A recent mixology class on apple cider was popular and taught bartending basics, crafting, sampling apple cider cocktails, and enjoying fall-inspired bites. Ricard loves events where she can welcome participants into a world of good food and drink.

Along with great food, Ricard is bringing a new way to celebrate the upcoming holiday. 70 North is doing a Black Friday Bash on Friday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. It will offer a curated collection of gifts as well as hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. It is a pre-ticket event; guests can get tickets online at 70northnh.com. The event will be followed by Favorite Things Holiday Pop-Up Shop on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ricard smiles and adds that she and her staff are having difficulty resisting all the wonderful and unique items available for shoppers at the Black Friday Bash and Favorite Things events.

Future mixology and food classes and more events will make the winter season one to look forward to. Ricard has plans for 70 North to make it much more than a seasonal business but one where customers can come year-round to eat, shop, and immerse themselves in the world of good food.

70 North Kitchen & Market is located at 70 Endicott St. N. in Laconia. For information, visit 70northnh.com.