Common Man Continues to Give Back

For the award-winning Common Man family of restaurants, there has always been a philanthropic motivation. Such a desire to help out the surrounding community can be summarized by two words on the company's main website: "do good."

That passion has been the driving force behind every Common Man establishment, which would include the quiet red barn just before Griffin Park.

Even if you've never dined there, you have probably driven by it, nestled into a colonial red barn around a bend on Range Road.

Lisa Saitz, general manager of the , has been involved with the company for 15 years. Saitz spent six months at the Capital City Diner location, which is now the Concord Common Man. After moving to work in Windham, she was supposed to leave to go back to Concord, but never left. For more than 14 years, that red barn on Range Road has been her home.

It's a home that she has nothing but good things to say about.

"We are a very good company to work for and we care about our employees," said Saitz. "I appreciated how I was encouraged to treat my employees."

Saitz explained how not a lot of companies are like hers, giving back to the community with so much energy. While the general managers at the restaurant chain don't have a set agenda for how they connect with their towns, they are all encouraged to become involved. Saitz believes that it's a mentality which stems from Alex Ray, founder of The Common Man.

"Our owner is very active in the entire state," said Saitz. "He gives and gives and gives. I can't fathom what this man gives. He gives to everybody, as well as encourages all 18 restaurants to do the same."

That encouragement hasn't been taken lightly by Saitz, who has done everything from donating brownies to local sports teams to holding monstrous charity events right in the restaurant.

Many locals might recognize one of those large events as the annual charity breakfast, which takes place around this time each year.

The fundraiser originated in the wake of Sept. 11 and was started solely to raise money for first responders. The Windham Common Man has worked closely with the and Windham Helping Hands to make sure everything succeeds each fall.

"We close our restaurants and donate all of the food and labor," said Saitz. "The Windham staff is more than willing to be on board, and most are there for the whole day."

As far as charity events go, Saitz said that the response has been overwhelming. The company has raised as much as $17,000 in one year, and over $120,000 to date. Over the course of three hours, almost 700 people pack out the event.

According to Saitz, this year's breakfast will take place on Oct. 16.

As for future promotions, the long-tenured manager said that nothing is being released just yet, but celebrations for the 40-year anniversary of the first restaurant in Ashland are in the works. They will be announced on the company Facebook page.

"We try to donate to anything and everything," said Saitz. "As you know, every organization, every cause and every non-charitable event is worthy."