THE COMMON MAN FAMILY DONATES FLYING MONKEY MOVIE HOUSE & PERFORMANCE CENTER TO PEMI-VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Anchor of Plymouth’s Main Street will remain an entertainment and community-focused venue while helping to build affordable housing.
PLYMOUTH, NH – After 17 years, The Common Man family takes a final bow as owners of The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center on Main Street in Plymouth, continuing its long history of commitment to community and donating it to local non-profit organization Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity.
“We had a fun ride bringing this venue back to life and we’re proud of the entertainment, social, and economic hub it has become for downtown Plymouth,” said Common Man CEO Sean Brown. “It’s time to usher in a new era for this historic theater, one that will keep downtown vibrant but also do good for members of our community by producing housing opportunities.”
The donation of the theater gives it operational advantages as a community-based organization, allowing it to continue to be an economic engine for the town, while proceeds will help low-and-middle income residents in the Pemi-Valley secure permanent housing.
“It’s an honor to carry on the legacy that Alex Ray and The Common Man family built here,” said Susan Mathison, President of the Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. “We’re ready to take the Monkey into its third act to keep this venue growing and moving forward, making improvements, involving the community in new ways, and most importantly, putting the proceeds to work towards affordable housing for local residents.”
Common Man owner Alex Ray purchased the defunct 1920’s vaudeville-era theater in November 2009, which had previously sat dark and in disrepair for years. After an extensive renovation that was careful to preserve the history of the building, the marquee lit up Main Street once again and the cultural anchor of Plymouth’s downtown re-opened as The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center with a grand opening in July 2010. The venue boasted “Dinner and a Show,” offering 476 seats in a unique set up of theater-style and table seats where guests could order Common Man fare before a performance.
The Flying Monkey welcomes approximately 20,000 guests per year, with more than 80% from New Hampshire. The venue hosts more than 150 events annually including concerts by GRAMMY®-winning artists and legendary groups, comedians, movies, classic silent films, and local community theater performances.
Mathison said the plan is to continue those entertainment offerings while building new community-focused events that could range from dance classes to an adult learning series to community gatherings. She noted that all Flying Monkey employees will stay on, providing a continuity of operations and consistent quality for guests. “The magic of the Monkey starts with its amazing employees, and we’re so happy that the current management under Gina Leary’s leadership will keep the magic alive in the years ahead,” said Mathison.
“We’re already planning improvements that will enhance the caliber of performances and production quality for artists and guests, including installing a state-of-the-art digital video wall on the stage and upgrading lighting,” said Mathison.
Ray has committed to personally supporting the venue with an annual donation to the non-profit for the next five years, with a goal of seeing his passion project continue to be a place for the community to gather while also contributing to making local affordable housing possible for years to come.
Mathison said though the ownership of the property and building at 39 Main Street is converting to non-profit status, Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity will be making an annual payment in lieu of taxes to the town to ease the burden of removing the property from the town’s tax rolls. She noted that the Flying Monkey profits and Habitat for Humanity will continue to build homes and increase the tax bases of Plymouth and surrounding towns.
Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that partners with financial donors, local families, and community volunteers to build and sell affordable homes in 27 towns in and around New Hampshire’s Pemi-Valley and Lakes Region. Habitat homebuyers help build their own homes alongside volunteers and secure an affordable mortgage. For the past 35 years, families have achieved the strength, stability, and independence needed to build a better life for themselves and their children with the assistance of Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity. For more information visit pemivalleyhabitat.org.
Founded in 1971 by owner Alex Ray, the Common Man family in New Hampshire is made up of 17 restaurants, four Inns, two stores, and an event center. Common Man locations include Common Man restaurants in Lincoln, Ashland, Concord, Claremont, Merrimack, and Windham; The Barn on the Pemi, The Common Man Inn, The Ranch, The Lodge, Foster’s Boiler Room, Italian Farmhouse, New Berry’s and JJ’s in Plymouth; The Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont; Lakehouse Grille, Camp, Lago, and Town Docks in Meredith; Lincoln Diner in Lincoln; Route 104 Diner in New Hampton; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton; Airport Diner in Manchester; and the Common Man Company Store in Ashland. For more information, visit thecman.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @thecommonmannh.
-END-
