Why People Love Living in Greater Portsmouth

David J. Murray ClearEyePhoto.com

Portsmouth offers a rare duality: the intimacy of a historic neighborhood paired with the seamless connectivity of a major hub. Locals Lionel Loveless and Kate Constantine experience this firsthand. Their stories paint a picture of a Portsmouth that is both a world-class destination and a tight-knit ecosystem, grounded in deep-rooted service and a love for local business.

Community Pride

Living in Portsmouth offers a sense of community without losing easy access to cities like Boston. For Loveless, who is the vice chair of the Business Alliance for People of Color and owner of Route 1 Antiques and Officially Knotted Bowties, that balance is key.

“I can get to Boston to jump on a flight and go anywhere, or just as easily head to the mountains or the ocean,” he says.

But beyond the geography, it’s the region’s “shop-small” ethos that resonates with him.

“It’s exciting to see how much people here truly support local business,” Loveless says.

Kevin Edge Photography

Constantine, the events and engagement manager at the food-security nonprofit Gather, finds that same charm in the city’s vibrant food scene. As the daughter of a chef and a bartender, she grew up in the restaurant industry and knows the culinary world better than most. Yet, for her, the quaintness of the region is the highlight: “I can’t go to the grocery store without running into someone I know,” she says.

Grassroots Spirit of Service: Bolstering Diversity and Food Security Initiatives

Both Loveless and Constantine turn their passion for the community into action.

In addition to his leadership at the Business Alliance for People of Color, Loveless serves on the boards of Black Lives Matter New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. He describes all three as “grassroots organizations dedicated to helping Granite Staters.” Through these roles, he helps foster business collaboration and bolster regional diversity initiatives.

Similarly, Constantine recently partnered with Cultivate Seacoast to launch a Food Access Navigator and Resource Guide. By centralizing essential data, the guide simplifies access to food security resources, embodying Cultivate’s mission to make resources more accessible in the community.

How Representation is Shaping Local Business

Portsmouth has historically been less diverse than larger cities, but Loveless sees a shift on the horizon. “I honestly believe we’re starting to see a little bit more diversity in the Greater Portsmouth area,” he says.

He sees his own shop as a microcosm of this change, noting that a representative workforce and a varied clientele create a welcoming environment. “Because I have diversity in my shop, it attracts more people,” he explains. For Loveless, this variety is the heartbeat of a thriving business; when people see themselves reflected in a space, the community becomes stronger, more interesting and more inclusive.

Constantine agrees, noting that the area’s evolving identity is what makes it so magnetic. “There’s a lot more people embracing how unique and special this area is,” she says.

Monica Justesen

Hidden Gems and Historic Sites in Downtown Portsmouth

Portsmouth’s character is most evident in the local spots where Loveless and Constantine spend their time.

As a regular yogi, Constantine enjoys 3 Bridges Yoga. “Everyone really gets to know each other there and looks out for each other.”

White Heron Tea & Coffee is her go-to place for tea. When she wants a bite to eat, she often heads to The Press Room.

Loveless finds his connection to the city through flavor and history. He’s a frequent visitor to A Southern Girl Bakery, a spot that feels like home. “I love the people that run it, and they are friends of mine,” he says. “They make the most amazing sweet treats that take me back to my childhood in Oklahoma.”

Courtesy of Black Heritage Trail

He also suggests visiting the Black Heritage Trail in Portsmouth to get a deeper sense of the city’s history. “By going to the Black Heritage Trail, you can learn about all the many people who contributed to make Portsmouth what it is today,” he says.