By Annie Card, Annie Card Creative Services

Jim and Susan Therriault opened New England Everyday Goods in October 2010. Barely 400 square-feet, the space housed the business for about a year, before they packed up and moved across the street to a 1,200-SF space in Peterborough’s Depot Square.

Then in January 2014, the couple bought an 11,000-square-foot building in neighboring Jaffrey, the former home of Coll’s Farm Stand. It was a strategic move to gain more retail space and provide a richer shopping experience, including picturesque hilltop views of fields and pasture, a windmill and a sugar house. “This is home; it’s just the perfect New England spot,” Jim said.

New England Everyday Goods is packed with thousands of items, all made in New England: wood toys, balsam pillows, glassware, pottery, soaps, cutting boards, specialty foods and more. The Farm Market occupies the same space as the original Coll’s Farm Stand, and shoppers buying produce and other fresh foods can walk just a few steps inside to NEEG.

“We don’t want people to just buy stuff. We want them to enjoy shopping here, and to feel good about what they’re buying: the quality as well as knowing their purchases are helping many small businesses to continue. We know that small businesses make better, more interesting communities than giant chain stores,” Susan said.

“Purchases at our store and other mom and pops, help keep jobs and dollars in our local economy. In the past year alone, several of our suppliers have expanded their operations and added employees. We feel good about that and our customers should, too.” Jim said.