Business & Tech

The Common Man Aims at 'Speedy Return to Business'

Employees of Windham restaurant are being provided shifts at other area locations.

Loyal guests of the Windham Common Man may not have to wait very long to return to one of the area's most popular and fondly regarded eateries.

Though no specific timetable has been revealed, a prepared release from representatives of The Common Man family states that the restaurant is targeting a 'prompt re-opening' and 'speedy return to business' after a weekend electrical fire gutted part of the 2.5-story timber structure. 

Fire and police crews from Windham and Salem were called to the 88 Range Road restaurant around 12:47 Saturday afternoon when two chefs who were prepping food in the kitchen smelled smoke and promptly called 911.

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After an firefighters conducted an extensive search of the building using thermal imaging technology, a fire broke out between the ceiling of the second floor and the roof of the building. A second alarm was sounded and companies from Derry, Salem, Pelham, Hudson, Hampstead, Nashua and Londonderry joined the effort to battle the blaze.

“We are extremely grateful to the Windham Fire Department, police department and fire personnel from seven surrounding towns who responded so quickly during a holiday weekend,” said Erica Murphy, Director of Communications and Community Relations for The Common Man family in New Hampshire.  “Their quick actions in detecting that the fire was caught up in the eaves and extinguishing it kept our building sound.”

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According to the the prepared statement, the initial investigation points to an exhaust fan in the second floor bathroom as the origin of the fire. The upstairs bathroom was part of a 2008 renovation in which the historic barn building received a multi-million dollar overhaul and upgrades.

There were no guests inside the restaurant at the time of the fire due to the facility being open for dinner only. The chefs who reported the fire exited immediately and were unharmed.

The upstairs portion of the restaurant sustained water and smoke damage and fire crews had to cut holes in the roof of the building to get to the flames.

“Repairs have already begun and we’re looking forward to being back up and running soon for our loyal guests and employees,” said Murphy.  “It has been humbling to receive kind comments from guests leaving messages on our Facebook pages and fellow hospitality owners sending us notes of support and offers of assistance.” 

Murphy said The Common Man family is also taking care of its Windham employees by providing them shifts at other Common Man locations.  In some instances, fellow employees at the Airport Diner in Manchester and Common Man restaurants in Concord and Merrimack are giving up their own shifts to help Windham employees get on the schedule.

Founded in 1971 by owner Alex Ray, the Common Man family is made up of 18 restaurants, two Inns, a Spa and Salon, Company Store and The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center.  Common Man locations include Common Man restaurants in Lincoln, Ashland, Concord, Claremont, Merrimack, Windham and Portsmouth; Common Man Inn & Spa, Foster’s Boiler Room, Italian Farmhouse and The Flying Monkey in Plymouth; Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont; Lakehouse Grille, Camp, Lago and Town Docks in Meredith; Route 104 Diner in New Hampton; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton; Airport Diner in Manchester; Common Man Express and the Common Man Company Store, both in Ashland.  The Common Man recently broke ground on the renovation of the Interstate 93 welcome centers both north and southbound in Hooksett, NH and expects an April 2015 opening.  For more information, visit thecman.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecommonmannh and find them on Twitter @thecmannh.


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