Tracey Edwards Shutters Doors

I was surprised and saddened to hear that Manchester-based agency Tracey Edwards has gone out of business. I had to look up the story, as these things tend to happen quietly... in my experience, companies tend to go under with a whimper rather than a bang. Apparently this all happened in November. As is often the case, the business is gone, but the web site remains up as if nothing has happened, a ghostly remnant of ones and zeroes lingering after 30-something years of business. Here's the Union Leader article by business reporter Denis Paiste. Despite them leaving some creditors and clients hanging, it's good to see a few comments from people chiming in on their behalf, because they were a quality outfit. More background and color on their closing can be found on this excellent blog post by Kathy Remillard. Here's hoping all involved land on their feet and have a better 2010.

Vote Now for NH Best of Business Awards

NH Business Review does the "BoB Awards" every year. It's a great opportunity for your business to get some visibility, so don't forget to have your customers/clients/mom/dad vote for you!

Voting is open through Jan. 29. The celebration of the winners will be March 11.

Now, if I may be so bold as to give you some voting suggestions, you can crib off my list:

28. Financial investment firm: E B Capital Markets. Shameless plug (because he's damn good) for my little brother.

39. Coffee: Breaking New Grounds

54. Networking event: eBrew, of course!

BTW, if you need more incentive to vote, if you vote in at least 20 of the 81 categories, you get entered in a contest for prizes. If no company springs to mind in any category, I just leave it blank. No biggie. And of course, there are sponsorship opportunities available.

If you look at last year's winners, they tend to be Manchester-centric, so don't be afraid to vote for your favorite local Seacoast businesses... c'mon Portsmouth, rep-re-sent!