MANCHESTER, NH – Local dignitaries gathered at the corner of Elm and Concord Streets on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of a restaurant seeking to provide a new downtown dining experience.
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Alderman At-Large June Trisciani and members of the Manchester Economic Development Office and Manchester Chamber of Commerce were among those on hand to give kudos to Bond Brewing and BBQ, which has now been open for several weeks, as well as Bond co-owners Peter Telge and Ed Baroody.
“I want to congratulate Ed and Peter for this wonderful establishment,” said Craig. “You both are well-known small business owners in the City of Manchester and we’re grateful for all you’ve done in your continuous investment in Manchester, the places that you have created are gathering places and we’ve thrilled that you’ve opened up this new restaurant on Elm Street.”
“Thank you for believing in our city and for putting in the hard work that you do. This place looks awesome and it’s great to see it full,” Craig added.
Baroody began operating businesses out of Bond building, where the restaurant is located, in 1998, later purchasing the building outright. Also the owner of the Zoo Gym just a few doors down from Bond Brewing and BBQ, and as the man behind Dandido Hot Sauce, Baroody felt that this space right on the corner (that became vacant last year when Baked closed) would be a good fit for an evolving downtown.
“I’ve seen downtown from multiple perspectives, as a patron at the bars and as a bouncer at the bars, as a father, as a son, as a businessman and a property owner. So, I know this place from the bowels to the good parts,” said Baroody. “So when Peter and I were talking, I said, you know, we’ll do something if we do something different for downtown.”
For Baroody, Bond seeks to fit a unique niche with homestyle barbeque and Mexican dishes in a fast-casual atmosphere that also integrates alcoholic offerings to create an atmosphere that is a cross between an indoor picnic, Chipotle and a local bar.
Telge also runs Stark Brewery in the Millyard, less than a mile away from Bond. Although he expects some cross-promotion between the two businesses, he sees the styles of the two restaurants as very different both in terms of offerings and the difference between sit-down service and counter service.
“Stark is a brewery, a lot of pub fare, (Bond) is unique,” said Telge. “(Bond) is like a Chipotle where you will be coming in and getting your food quickly, you could be in and out the door in ten minutes if you want. At Stark, there’s a big difference, you may come in and order a dinner and you might stay 20-30 minutes.”
Manchester Economic Development Office Business Liaison Erik Lesniak says he believes Bond’s opening is just part of a larger trend across Manchester.
“We’ve got 34.9 square miles in our city and you’re seeing these types of businesses pop up and it’s no mistake, it’s no accident,” said Lesniak. “They’re choosing to be here because of what we have for both our residents, for other business owners who are taking pride in their property, and that want to be a part of it.”