Alex Ray opened the first Common Man Restaurant in Ashland in 1971. In 1985, Common Man Lincoln was born. In 1987, Howard Johnson's Restaurant in Concord, NH became the 50's style Capital City Diner. In 1993, Alex opened Tilt'n Diner in Tilton using a 1952 steel diner, and The Italian Farmhouse opened in Plymouth. In 1994, Boathouse Grille was built on the water in Meredith, becoming LAGO, an authentic Italian Trattoria, in 2003. 25 years after opening the first C-MAN restaurant, Common Man Windham opened in a renovated barn. In 1996, The Common Man Company Store in Ashland, NH opened, selling C-MAN and New Hampshire-made items. In 1998, Camp restaurant in Meredith, NH came to life. In 1999, Town Docks opened on the bay in Meredith. In 2000, the Capital City Diner in Concord became a Common Man. In 2001/2002, Alex took a defunct wood mill in Plymouth and created the 37-room Common Man Inn & Spa and Foster's Boiler Room. Lakehouse Grille in Meredith opened in 2004. In July 2005, the Common Man Merrimack opened. In December 2005, Airport Diner in Manchester took flight. In 2008, Common Man Express deli was opened in Ashland. In June 2009, old mills in Claremont were renovated into the second Common Man Inn in NH and a restaurant. Common Man Portsmouth opened in August 2009 and in October 2009 The 104 Diner in New Hampton opened. In December 2009, Alex bought a defunct movie theater in Plymouth and re-opened it as The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center.