Portsmouth's Breaking New Grounds Closing

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Breaking New Grounds, a downtown Portsmouth institution for 25 years, is closing for good. Owner Matt Govoni said he decided to sell the business because "the timing was right." The coffee house's last day of operation is Fri., Jan. 3.

The shop will be replaced by Tuscan Market in the prime Market Square location.

"It has been a great pleasure to know all the people of and visitors to Portsmouth through the years," Govoni wrote in a Facebook message. "We have watched kids grow up in our store (our own included), seen marriage proposals, first dates, employees get married and start families, countless friendships form, milestones and occasions celebrated."

Govoni continued, "It has been wonderful to be part of all of your lives and we are forever thankful to all of our staff and customers. Please stop by to say goodbye to our café over the next few days."

Joe Faro, of Tuscan Brands, said the new Tuscan Market will be an "open-air" marketplace featuring a cafe, meats, breads, pastry, gelato and imported Italian coffee.

"As a graduate of UNH with a deep love for New Hampshire's Seacoast area, I take great pride in having Tuscan Brands be a part of the Portsmouth community and we're so excited to expand and reinforce our commitment to this incredible town," Faro said in a statement.

Tuscan Brands also operates Tuscan Kitchen on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth and Faro said that location will remain open.

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