Nikki Haley connects with voters at historic general store

HOOKSETT, N.H. — Most campaign stops for presidential candidates look the same – large, hotel conference rooms, arenas packed with supporters and the like. However, Robie’s Country Store is unlike most other venues on the campaign trail, hosting prominent candidates such as Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and now, Nikki Haley. 

Located on the bank of the Merrimack River, Robie’s has a rustic charm that warms the soul as well as its freshly ground coffee. Derringer pistols hang above a homemade cheese sampler, and the shelves are lined with well-loved antiques.

What immediately catches the eye, however, is the wall packed with campaign posters, bumper stickers and signed letters and photographs from past presidents and candidates. 

The store was first purchased by George A. Robie in 1887, and soon provided Hooksett with essential goods such as staples and supplies. The store was passed from father to son over the course of four generations and soon became a hub for political candidates to stop on the campaign trail. 

Stacked corner-to-corner, visitors can find political keepsakes such as a vintage JFK election pamphlet, an original Lyndon B. Johnson sticker and a signed photograph of Mitt Romney. Perhaps most interesting, is a silver plaque that depicts Lloyd Robie, the former proprietor of the store, speaking with then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter on March 11, 1975.

As the story goes, when Jimmy Carter arrived on Robie’s doorstep and was introduced, Robie famously barked, “Jimmy who?” 

Despite the store being closed for years after Lloyd Robie’s death, Tim and Jessica Robie have revived the historic landmark, as well as its political appeal. 

“It’s been really invigorating because the political candidates’ history here at the store has been needing a resurrection, and we’ve brought a resurgence to that tradition, which is over 150 years old,” Jessica Robie said. 

On Thursday, Nikki Haley became the latest presidential candidate to visit Robie’s, as the New Hampshire primary vote looms only days away. She was joined by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who warmly referred to her as his new “best friend” and adamantly encouraged voters to participate in the upcoming primary election. 

“We could hit an entire reset button on the presumption of this election,” Sununu said. “This is where it happens. This is where the excitement is, and this how candidates earn it – on the ground.” 

Haley took the opportunity to connect with locals, while simultaneously blasting both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden for the debt crisis. She focused heavily on both Trump and Biden’s respective investigations, and the necessity for federal budget cuts. 

“We have a country to save,” Haley said. “The only way we’re going to save [America], is if we go forward with a new generational leader, who leaves the negativity behind and focuses on the solutions.” 

For locals, the opportunity to speak with Haley reaffirmed their support for her, especially considering the small town venue she visited. Barbara and Bob Thinnes are Hooksett locals who had previously seen Haley on the campaign trail, but for them, her appearance at Robie’s was a special affair. 

“We follow the elections every year and we go out to see candidates,” Barbara said. “[But] the people who are available to us make New Hampshire people feel that they’ll [still] be available to us after they’re elected.” 

The Thinnes explained further that they were impressed with Haley’s resume as a former governor and ambassador, as well as their worries about increasing political polarization between the two parties. For them, Haley represented an opportunity to bridge divides between Americans, while providing solutions to hard issues. Seeing her at Robie’s only solidified their position. 

“It’s a nice, cozy place to size up a candidate,” Bob said. “Some of them are pretty bad at it, but some are just naturals.” 

Despite Haley, Ron DeSantis and Tim Scott visiting Robie’s at various points, according to the storeowners, Trump has not. While the former president is still hanging onto his lead in the polls, Haley has continued to cut into his lead over the past week. To Barbara and Bob, Trump’s absence wasn’t surprising. 

“We haven’t seen President Trump here,” Barbara said. “He likes the big venues where he can rant and rave.”

In lew of Trump’s lack of appearances at local venues, voters were impressed with Haley’s ability to connect with them on a personal level. Before she left the store, she gave store owner Tim Robie one of her campaign signs to keep. 

For Robie’s co-owner Jessica Robie, the store represents an opportunity to humanize candidates running for office. 

“For me, the importance is that we continue to show the relatability of the candidates, as well as allow the common people to interact with them,” Jessica Robie said. “We see them on TV and we hear the things they say, but there’s a level of intimacy that can be provided when you get to meet them.”

“We hope that the Robie Country Store can be the venue for that.”