Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/812736
NEW HAMPSHIRE: First in the Nation • Profiles in Excellence 175 of defunct mills in Claremont on the banks of the Sugar River into the second Common Man Inn in New Hampshire, and a Common Man restaurant. is was another sizeable undertaking by the Common Man family and McLear, converting brick mills that were downtrodden and stood unused for decades into a beautiful 35-room inn and restaurant. Area leaders see the project as an important piece of the economic revival of the entire region. In October that same year, the Common Man family opened e 104 Diner in New Hampton on the former site of Bobby's Girl Diner. Rounding out 2009 and expanding into a new area, a defunct movie theater on Main Street in Plymouth, NH, was purchased and re-opened as e Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center. Aer undergoing an extensive renovation in April 2010, the historic 1920s Vaudeville theater re-opened in July and now brings to northern New Hampshire national recording artists and comedy acts; independent and classic films; and regional dance and theatrical productions In October 2013, Ray and McLear broke ground in Hooksett to undertake a unique public-private partnership with the State of New Hampshire, to renovate the dated Welcome Centers on each side of Interstate 93. Aer just 15 months of construction, the ribbon was cut on the northbound facility in March 2015, with southbound following shortly aer. e new Welcome Centers offer two 20,000-square- foot NH Liquor & Wine Outlets, 3,000-square-foot interactive visitor centers, NH General Stores, Common Man Roadside eateries and a Hi-Way Diner in 10,000 square foot food courts, 16 Irving fuel stations, Tesla electric car charging stations, upgraded restrooms and more than 300 parking spaces each. e northbound center was named in honor of late Executive Councilor Raymond S. Burton, and also features a Merrimack County Savings Bank branch and a League of New Hampshire Crasmen retail store. While the Common Man family has grown in physical locations over the years, so too has its commitment to local communities by inspiring all of its staff to live the mantra of "Doing Well by Doing Good." Each location is charged with holding community fundraisers, and employees are given paid time off to volunteer with non-profit organizations that are important to them. e Common Man family has donated hundreds of hours of sweat equity and thousands of dollars in sponsorships, food and in-kind donations to local, national and international organizations working to make a difference. e Common Man's community efforts have been recognized on both a local and national level, receiving for 16 years in a row the New Hampshire Restaurant Neighbor Award, and in 2010, a national Cornerstone Humanitarian Award from the National Restaurant Association. Other awards for the Common Man family over the years have included Business of the Decade from Business New Hampshire Magazine, Business of the Year from the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, Best Company to Work for in the Food Service Industry by e Griffin Report and multiple "Best of " Awards as voted by readers of New Hampshire Magazine, Hippo Press, e New Hampshire Union Leader and e Concord Monitor. e Common Man family has been a steadfast leader in New Hampshire's hospitality and tourism industries for more than four decades. Owner Alex Ray's creativity and enthusiasm never quit, and no one is ever surprised when they hear him say, "Here we grow again!" v Over the past 44 years, the Common Man family in New Hampshire has grown to include restaurants, Inns, a Spa, Company Store, the Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center and Common Man Roadside at the Hooksett Welcome Centers. Owner Alex Ray has made a conscious effort to keep his independent hospitality family within New Hampshire's borders. Owner Alex Ray's creativity and enthu- siasm never quit, and no one is ever surprised when they hear him say, "Here we grow again!"