The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH

[deadheadskier]

Thank you Chris, I hope your efforts help in finding a new steward to look after the Church

http://seacoastonline.com/articles/20081128-NEWS-811280355

 

[Edd]

Not even a week ago there was a posting on Craigslist that appeared to be selling the Stone Church. I thought "bad sign" but the post isn't up anymore. Now I don't know if it was for real.

 

[ckofer]

First read this: http://www.wirenh.com/Music/Music_-_general/The_Stone_Church_lives_again_200904293539.html

I just received this in an email and Adam asked me to post it. Without sharing too many details, I can tell you with certainty that he had the chance to chase other proposals for this very special place but has chosen a course that is in keeping with the history and spirit of the The Stone Church, should be sustainable, and will create musical opportunities for our community.

-ck

Read on (the "Chris" is not me):

Hey folks. Exciting stuff about Chris and Melissa's plan for a restaurant and live music venue... and that they'll hopefully be getting some additional ideas from the community later this month.

As that progresses, I'm going to be focused on developing the building’s second floor ballroom. The previous owners did some beginning renovations on the upper floor but never finished. Does anyone know of sponsors to help fund the remaining work and put the space to use?

Ideas for the second floor include renting it to musicians for band practice during the day, and then renting it out as a function hall for banquets, parties and art shows at night. If anyone is interested in using the space for a small rental fee, even as-is, please let me know.

We are also now officially holding a farmers’ market in the parking lot on weekends this summer, beginning June 21st. The Town of Newmarket, the Lamprey Arts and Culture Alliance, and even the Newmarket Garden Club are all working to help put a Stone Church spin on what could be a really cool event... especially considering Chris and Melissa's plans to use local and organic products when possible. Is anyone interested in renting a booth for the event?


Hopefully these kinds of ideas will help find the fundage necessary to complete renovations to the second floor, such as installing a sprinkler system and soundproofing the room. I'm considering hosting a series of benefit shows with local bands to raise money for the cause. But until then, I'm super excited about the plans downstairs.

I really appreciate any insight or ideas.

-Adam - aschroadter@gmail.com

 

[deadheadskier]

Thanks for sharing

Wish I could be there on the 24th, but will be at Strangecreek.

First off I think it's great that Chris understands and respects the history and spirit of the Stone Church and how so many inspired performances have occurred over the years within those walls.

But I'm also glad for them as a business owners. It's the right business decision in terms of generating revenue and making a profit. I've worked in the restaurant biz since I was 18, my entire adult life. Two years now on the supply side of things, fourteen in operations where I held every position conceivable except for Executive Chef. If I had the finances, I'm connected enough that I could higher a top 20 chef in the area with ease. With all that, there is NO WAY I'd ever try and make a restaurant go there. I'm sure Chris and Melissa are very talented, could be way more so than I, but I just don't see that place working as a restaurant no matter how good the food is or how you renovate the space.

I think Paul did a fantastic job running the place and hope it's very similar under Chris and Melissa. It's my understanding that Paul's team was over leveraged; broke my heart to see such a great group of people give up what I'm sure they considered home. If Chris and Melissa are in a better cash position, run it exactly like he did, but also find other revenue streams, especially catering in summer when UNH is out of session, they'll be successful.

It probably would cost a ton of money, but my dream for the place if I owned it and this is only if the architecture would allow for it, would be to open the upstairs to the downstairs with a U shaped balcony and raise the stage up a few feet. Make the max capacity 300 instead of 200 and capitalize on every Friday and Saturday night of the school year to fill the place. That in my opinion would be the biggest revenue altering change they could make there.


Yeah, you could say I've dreamt of owning the Stone Church :lol:


At any rate, I can't wait to get back inside and show my support. It's only been eight months since the place closed it's doors and it's felt like an eternity.

 

[Edd]

Great news. Running any business (especially restaurants) is extremely challenging and the Church seems to present additional obstacles. This is the 3rd owner in about 4 years.

My ex-girlfriend used to be a waitress there. The first night I walked in there was a bluegrass band playing with maybe 12 customers inside. There were a couple of big dogs walking around. The floor looked 100 years old and there was a wood stove providing all the heat. People would walk over to warm themselves periodically. I loved it.

The last owners changed the place so much...sort of yuppified it to some extent but it needed to be done. For awhile we went to the free bluegrass shows every Sunday afternoon and had a ball. It was easy to hang out there all day.

Someone suggested to me recently that the marketing in the past wasn't nearly aggressive enough. Maybe they're right. Bringing the 2nd floor online and generating revenue seems like a good start. I wish them luck and they'll be getting some of my money.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Lived in the area for 28 years ..never been there..

really..I always thought you were a hipster..

 

[deadheadskier]

Lived in the area for 28 years ..never been there..

In my opinion, it is the best venue to see live music at in all of New England.

 

[ScottB]

That is great!

First read this: http://www.wirenh.com/Music/Music_-_general/The_Stone_Church_lives_again_200904293539.html

I just received this in an email and Adam asked me to post it. Without sharing too many details, I can tell you with certainty that he had the chance to chase other proposals for this very special place but has chosen a course that is in keeping with the history and spirit of the The Stone Church, should be sustainable, and will create musical opportunities for our community.

-ck

Read on (the "Chris" is not me):

Hey folks. Exciting stuff about Chris and Melissa's plan for a restaurant and live music venue... and that they'll hopefully be getting some additional ideas from the community later this month.

As that progresses, I'm going to be focused on developing the building’s second floor ballroom. The previous owners did some beginning renovations on the upper floor but never finished. Does anyone know of sponsors to help fund the remaining work and put the space to use?

Ideas for the second floor include renting it to musicians for band practice during the day, and then renting it out as a function hall for banquets, parties and art shows at night. If anyone is interested in using the space for a small rental fee, even as-is, please let me know.

We are also now officially holding a farmers’ market in the parking lot on weekends this summer, beginning June 21st. The Town of Newmarket, the Lamprey Arts and Culture Alliance, and even the Newmarket Garden Club are all working to help put a Stone Church spin on what could be a really cool event... especially considering Chris and Melissa's plans to use local and organic products when possible. Is anyone interested in renting a booth for the event?


Hopefully these kinds of ideas will help find the fundage necessary to complete renovations to the second floor, such as installing a sprinkler system and soundproofing the room. I'm considering hosting a series of benefit shows with local bands to raise money for the cause. But until then, I'm super excited about the plans downstairs.

I really appreciate any insight or ideas.

-Adam - aschroadter@gmail.com

I ran the bar @ the Church from july 2004-Sept. 11 2008...It was a wonderful journey...I am STILL looking for a job though. For years I had suggested a farmers Market in the parking lot with a musical feel to the whole thing and beers to be had as well on the patio, they never went for it. I am still wondering if the new restauranteurs are planning to have a 'house' sound system...I heard not? The first 2-yrs we had reasonable priced high-end food and COULD NOT get folks to come w/out a show. Using local and organic I feel is key, if there is not a 'theme' food and only music that can be seen in Dover or Portsmouth any day of the week, they need to do something to get people to make it a destination, since NO-ONE stumbles across the Stone Church. I own a 4-unit a stones throw, where I live, so the Framers Market will be great! I did just apply for a server position there! Maybe I will be able to infuse my 25 yrs of restaurant experience w/ 4 @ the Church!

 

[ckofer]

There was a meeting at the Stone Church on Sunday with the new restaurant operator and local musicians/similarly interested parties. A few questions answered:

A) They do do plan on putting in a sound system-music is an important draw to the place
B) The music, at least initially, will probably be local musicians. As they become accustomed to working with live music, I suspect things will grow from there.
C) The Farmers' Market starts on June 20th.
D) Try this link http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=33245872604

 

[ckofer]

Opening as The Stone Church on Zion Hill on June 19th!

 

[Edd]

Any more info on that? A web search turned up a Farmers Market on the 20th but nothing else.

 

[ckofer]

That's all I have for now. Got it from Facebook where it was posted last night. I have no idea how this link will work for others but try it: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Newmarket-NH/The-Stone-Church-on-Zion-Hill/105186076263?ref=share

Quick question, does this photo render here?

 

[Edd]

Yep, sure does.

 

[ckofer]

The official reopening was last night. Comforting to see it in business. Almost caught up with DHS there....

 

[deadheadskier]

How was the later night music? I headed out around 11:15 as I was whipped from a long week and the acoustic duo playing was kinda meh. It was still great being in there though. I find the energy of the Church really has an affect beyond it's walls and is a point of pride amongst the community.

Uncertain if we'll be there tonight, but I plan on heading down to the farmers market in a few....

 

[ckofer]

The music around midnight was the drummer & guitarist in the pic above: loud, heavy, mosh-pit tunes. Not sure how else to describe them. Not really my thing but the room was still pretty full of people in their 20's and it certainly was a music club with a bar. Good start. It contrasted with the Truffle show we just left, try this link for a little sample: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=819618953&k=Z6MU5Y5RV36AUCLDTBW6X4U

 

[Edd]

Going there this morning for the gospel brunch. 3rd time going this week. It's great to have the place back. The bluegrass show last Tuesday drew a good (very young) crowd.

 

[deadheadskier]

I honestly haven't been since opening night. Part of that is I've been really busy with work. The bigger part is that there hasn't been a single band since they've opened that I've heard of. The music talent being brought into Stone Church 3.0 or whatever it is now, is pretty weak sauce compared to when Taul ran the place. I'd like to see at least a couple of regional to small national drawing acts a month in there.

 

[ckofer]

I think in time they'll take it that direction. I think they'd be wise to include good links to vids etc of any coming band. A little sample of the playing is worth a lot when you don't recognize a band.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think in time they'll take it that direction. I think they'd be wise to include good links to vids etc of any coming band. A little sample of the playing is worth a lot when you don't recognize a band.

that absolutely would help....a link to a myspace page to hear some of the music.

I guess I'm just impatient.


Who knows, maybe I've missed out on some bands I'd really like there. I guess I'm just accustomed to being introduced to new bands as the opening acts of more established groups.