Annalee Dolls has new owners, location

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

MEREDITH —Annalee Dolls, a New Hampshire tradition and Meredith landmark for more than eight decades, has new owners and a new home.

A partnership headed by Andrew Button recently acquired the firm, which since 2009 was owned by David Pelletier and Bob Watson of the Imagine Compnay headquartered in Hong Kong, which manufactured the dolls in China.

At the same time, the company, which left the "The Factory in Woods," where it began in 1934, for the Old Province Common on NH Route 104 then moved to The Shops at Meredith Place on Maple Street, will be moving to the building on US Route 3 that last housed Meredith Ford. Speaking for the company, Betsy Pelletier said "We are really very happy to be keeping the brand in Meredith."

Annalee Dolls will lease the building with an option to purchase it. Pelletier said that in addition to relocating its retail outlet, the company will bring its warehousing operation to Meredith from Maryland. The building will reconfigured and renovated to include a showroom, assembly area and office as well as the warehouse.

Pelletier said that along with the design team, which has always worked in Meredith, the "Assembled in America Collection" will continue at the new location. She said that two or three special dolls will be on offer and customers entering the show room and placing an order will be able to watch as their doll is assembled.

Pelletier said she expected the warehouse would begin to operate in June, with the remainder of the space to be occupied and opened by the middle of July.