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January 14. 2012 10:59PM
Dodge's Store in New Boston has reopened. (NANCY BEAN FOSTER file photo)
Dodge's Store reopens in New Boston
Dodge's Store in New Boston has reopened. (NANCY BEAN FOSTER file photo)
NEW BOSTON — Dodge’s Store, the centerpiece of downtown New Boston, is back in business, and customers are being greeted by a happy cadre of clerks who had lost their jobs in August.
On Wednesday, Dodge’s Store reopened, and traffic at the general store has been nonstop, said clerk Barbara Gagnon.
“The lines haven’t stopped since Wednesday,” Gagnon said as she refilled pots of coffee that were being steadily drained by customers on Saturday morning.
Clerk Joyce Proctor said, “Everyone’s been so excited about us being open again.”
Dodge’s Store closed abruptly in August after then-owner Mike Danzinger fell on hard times.
Danzinger, who also owned Mike’s Red Barn in Salem and the convenience store at Country 3 Corners in Weare, was forced to shut down all three businesses.
In November, the historic red building that has graced the village since 1872, was purchased at auction by Sam and Manisha Patel, who bid $690,000 for the building and the business.
Manisha Patel, who said she bought the business because she needed a project to keep her busy and loved the general store and its history in town, immediately hired local trades and craftsmen to whip the store into shape.
And on Wednesday, local customers — who have been traveling 20 minutes or more out of their way to grab a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee — started pouring in. They found a store that, though spruced up and freshly painted, isn’t a whole lot different from how it was before.
The countertops have been refurbished, the tin ceiling sparkles, and the old sign hangs above the door.
“It’s awesome,” said Randy Byam, a longtime customer of Dodge’s who was driving to Goffstown for a cup of coffee while the store was closed.
“They did a nice job. It looks beautiful,” said Roberta Bonney. “And it’s nice to see the same employees behind the counter.”
Most of the people who were working at Dodge’s when it closed have returned to their old jobs, including Debbie Smith, the store manager.
“We’re the old crew,” said clerk Laurie Dongas. “We know most of our customers by name, and we know what they’re going to buy. It’s nice to be back.”
On Wednesday, Dodge’s Store reopened, and traffic at the general store has been nonstop, said clerk Barbara Gagnon.
“The lines haven’t stopped since Wednesday,” Gagnon said as she refilled pots of coffee that were being steadily drained by customers on Saturday morning.
Clerk Joyce Proctor said, “Everyone’s been so excited about us being open again.”
Dodge’s Store closed abruptly in August after then-owner Mike Danzinger fell on hard times.
Danzinger, who also owned Mike’s Red Barn in Salem and the convenience store at Country 3 Corners in Weare, was forced to shut down all three businesses.
In November, the historic red building that has graced the village since 1872, was purchased at auction by Sam and Manisha Patel, who bid $690,000 for the building and the business.
Manisha Patel, who said she bought the business because she needed a project to keep her busy and loved the general store and its history in town, immediately hired local trades and craftsmen to whip the store into shape.
And on Wednesday, local customers — who have been traveling 20 minutes or more out of their way to grab a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee — started pouring in. They found a store that, though spruced up and freshly painted, isn’t a whole lot different from how it was before.
The countertops have been refurbished, the tin ceiling sparkles, and the old sign hangs above the door.
“It’s awesome,” said Randy Byam, a longtime customer of Dodge’s who was driving to Goffstown for a cup of coffee while the store was closed.
“They did a nice job. It looks beautiful,” said Roberta Bonney. “And it’s nice to see the same employees behind the counter.”
Most of the people who were working at Dodge’s when it closed have returned to their old jobs, including Debbie Smith, the store manager.
“We’re the old crew,” said clerk Laurie Dongas. “We know most of our customers by name, and we know what they’re going to buy. It’s nice to be back.”