The first Common Man Restaurant opened on Main Street in Ashland in 1971. The bank didn't think too highly of financing the young Alex Ray in this venture, but after a few doses of the Ray enthusiasm and the dedication of one loan officer in particular, it all came together. The Common Man Ashland could serve all of 35 people in its cozy front dining room. There wasn't a waiting area or lounge, so patrons would line up outside - even in the winter - and wait for an open table. Alex says that he used to run out of the kitchen and peek around the building to see how long the line was. People waiting would look in the door and see customers ordering more coffee. The whisper would then run down the waiting line, "Oh nuts, they're having more coffee." 

Alex and Jack McCormack (now a successful local lawyer) were the cooks. They would be up on ladders painting the building and our server Marilyn (she's still with us!) would come out and ring the bell signaling that lunch had started. Alex and Jack would climb down and go cook.

In 1974, Alex converted the carriage house behind the restaurant into more dining space. Now patrons had a warm place to wait for a table! In 1977, Alex and his young family moved out of the rooms above the main restaurant to a farm in Holderness, and Alex converted the space into the Step Above Lounge. The comfortable, family-room like lounge is a local landmark.

In October of 1985, Alex purchased the old Pollard Family home in Lincoln, NH. He and his crew moved an old barn to the site, renovated it and attached it for additional dining space. Bing Rogers of Campton, NH constructed an amazing rock fireplace, and 47 days from the date of purchase, the second Common Man Restaurant opened its doors.

In 1987, Alex bought the old Howard Johnson's Restaurant in Concord, NH. He renovated the building, keeping the old-style counter service and turning the rest of the place into a real old-fashioned 50�s style diner. The Capital City Diner became a popular local hangout and a must-stop on every politician�s tour of the state. In December of 1992, after much negotiating, Alex convinced the Pike Family to sell the parking lot adjacent to their company headquarters just off exit 20 of I-93 in Tilton. He knew this would be the perfect spot to park the 1952 steel diner that he�d bought several years before. He and a dedicated staff opened Tilt�n Diner the following spring.

In 1993, Alex and partner Don Brown opened the Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth. The Farmhouse has become a favorite for locals and tourists alike, with its fresh baked bread, brick oven pizza and warm, friendly atmosphere. Alex rescued and relocated a large glass greenhouse behind the restaurant. The brick-floored, carefully-manicured greenhouse overflows with flowers and is a favorite spot for weddings and other celebrations.

In 1994, Alex and Don bought property in Holderness, NH and opened the Squam Seafood Company, a seasonal restaurant serving fresh seafood in a fun atmosphere. Just one of the many unique features of the restaurant was a real lobster boat beached out front. Diners could actually order their meal and eat on board! Although the restaurant was extremely popular, the demands of a seasonal restaurant were too much, and Alex and Don closed the restaurant after three years. Also in 1994, Alex worked with Meredith entrepreneur, Rusty McLear to create the Inn at Bay Point and Boathouse Grille Restaurant. The restaurant was located in a completely renovated bank building located right on the water in downtown Meredith. In the fall of 2003, Alex and his staff worked to renovate the Boathouse Grille into Lago, an authentic Italian Trattoria.

Twenty-five years after opening the original Common Man Restaurant, Alex opened yet another Common Man. The new restaurant was located in a renovated barn in Windham, NH that Alex had his eye on for quite some time. Alex was right about the location! The Common Man Windham is busy year-round, serving great American fare to southern New Hampshire and guests from over the border in Massachusetts.

The Common Man Company Store in Ashland, NH opened in 1996 as well. The project was devised and spearheaded by Diane Downing, VP of the Common Man, and Alex�s long-time professional partner. The store offers a huge selection of Common Man goodies; dips, cheeses, bread, wines, Bloody Mary mix, clothing, mugs and more. It also stocks wonderful toys, candles, linens, soaps, lotions and our own Common Man Inn's spa product line. Check out our famous homemade Common Man fudge, 20-foot-long penny candy counter and custom-made gift baskets. The Company Store is proud to offer NH and New England made products, and crafts from local artisans.

In 1998, Alex again teamed up with Rusty McLear and Don Brown in the creation of the Chase House and Camp restaurant in downtown Meredith, NH. The Chase House is an Inn with a function room that accommodates up to 150 guests. Camp is a small, fun place that serves up great American fare with a Camp flair.

In 1999, Alex took another try at a seasonal place. He bought the old Frankensundae on the Bay in Meredith and turned it into a take-out or eat-in summer dining spot called Town Docks, complete with deck seating, tiki bar and �Franky�s� ice cream shop, serving Common Man-made ice cream.

In 2000, Alex decided to replace the Capital City Diner in Concord with a Common Man Restaurant. He had the old structure completely taken down and built a charming New England town home and barn in its place. The Common Man Concord opened its doors in the fall of 2000. The restaurant features unique gathering rooms that are usually booked solid in the bustling city of Concord.

A test of the resolve and drive of the Common Man Family came in the summer of 2001, when an arsonist burned down the Common Man Lincoln. The shock and loss was felt throughout the company. But with the usual amount of gusto, Alex and his staff set to work rebuilding. Lincoln employees were kept on and �loaned� to other C-Man Family restaurants. The new restaurant � re-built in just 60 days � is a match of the historic home and barn that housed the original with a few subtle improvements, including meeting and event space on the second level.

In 2001/2002, the Common Man Family undertook a huge challenge. They took a 60,000 square foot defunct mill in the town of Plymouth, and, retaining 90 percent of the original building, ingeniously transformed it into the 37-room Common Man Inn & Spa, Foster�s Boiler Room restaurant and an event facility. The project has won �Grow Smart� and �Main Street� awards, and provides what many consider to be a new �center� for the town of Plymouth.

Alex and his team opened Lakehouse Grille in Church Landing at Mill Falls in Meredith in 2004. Lakehouse serves creative American cuisine in an Adirondack-style dining room that features hand-hewn exposed beams, fieldstone fireplaces, panoramic lake views, and a large event space with seating for 300 guests.

In 2005, Alex and his team turned to a big new project, the building of a Common Man Restaurant in Merrimack, NH. Alex purchased the closed Hannah Jack�s restaurant and, to the great excitement of the Merrimack community, set to work with his crew to renovate the historic building. The restaurant opened in July of 2005.

Just as the Merrimack project was finishing up, Alex broke ground on the Airport Diner in Manchester, in the Holiday Inn on Brown Avenue. Opened in December of 2005, the 50�s style diner has quickly become a favorite with locals and travelers alike.

November 2006 marked 35 years of serving great American fare in the Granite State. The drive and creativity Alex had when he opened his first restaurant in November of 1971 has never diminished. Even now he is looking ahead to new projects. As Alex would say, �Here we grow again!�