New family business Lakeshore Market and Deli opens in Gilford

GILFORD — As owner Mary Breton prepares the store for the day, her grandkids excitedly run around the Lakeshore Market and Deli, greeting customers as they enter. After grabbing their meal and maybe a snack and a soda, customers go to Mary’s daughter and business partner Aimee Breton to purchase their lunch. The Bretons are hoping to bring back the family-owned feel to markets in the Lakes Region.

“When you come in here, you're going to walk out with a smile and ‘please come back again’-type of thing,” Mary said. “That's one of the things that's missing from a lot of places.”

Lakeshore Market and Deli opened a week ago in the Lakeshore Marketplace. It includes a deli as well as a market that sells snacks like chips, candy and soda, as well as wine you can’t find in the nearby liquor store and beer. Michael Laflam, who works at the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet, said the opening of the market has made it easier to direct customers to find the beer they want.

“We get a lot of beer questions. We only sell liquor and wine,” he said. “A lot of out-of-staters come in for beer, and we'll just send them over here now. Makes it a lot easier.”

The market also sells a lot of locally made products. You can buy insulated coffee mugs, sunglasses from KOHV — a family-owned business in Meredith — and products like spice blends and seasonings and maple syrup from Jesse James of Gilmanton.

Mary and Aimee decided to open the deli after working in the restaurant industry. Mary worked at CJ Avery’s in various roles for about 30 years until the restaurant closed in 2021. In the last couple of years, Aimee worked at neighbor Patrick’s Pub & Eatery. Mary is using her restaurant experience to make food at the deli, bringing back dishes she made that were popular at CJ Avery’s.

“I decided to take that thought process of my food that I used to cook there back to the market so that people have home-cooked meals again,” she said. “Taste like grandma's, that's what they call it.”

Available options include quiches, soups, mac and cheese, butternut squash and a pot roast, and the home-cooked menu changes frequently. In a few weeks, the deli will offer classic griddle foods like burgers as well as steak and cheese.

Mary also makes plenty of baked goods, like blueberry muffins, chocolate chip cookies and banana bread.

The mother-daughter business relationship has allowed the duo to split responsibilities; Mary doing the cooking and Aimee taking care of things on the business side, like pricing. Mary and Aimee think they make great business partners because of their close relationship.

“We're best friends inside and out of this place,” Aimee said. “I grew up working for my mother at the restaurant. So I know how good of a boss she is.”

The community has also been supportive of the pair. Many businesses have stepped up to help the deli get established. Patrick’s Pub is one helping the new market begin to thrive. They shared the opening of the restaurant on Facebook.

After just one week open, Mary is optimistic of the deli’s future. Mary comes from a family that has lived in Gilford for five generations. All she wants is to provide something new to a community that she has seen change with each generation. Mary believes anyone who walks in will be able to feel the family vibes, and wants everyone to know they are welcome.

“I tell everybody that comes in, 'We need some mom’s cooking,'” she said. “We’re a big family around here. And if you walk in and go, ‘Mom, I need a hug,’ I’ll give you the hug. Sometimes you just need a mom.”