News & Awards

An inside look at one of New Hampshire's finest, most beautiful restaurants

BEDFORD — The Remarkable Story Behind the Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford and Salem, N.H.

The Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford and Salem, N.H., goes beyond elemental in its mission to offer a fine dining experience for all walks of life to enjoy.

At the flagship Bedford location, the strip mall and modern residential setting outside the restaurant might look familiar, but that's where the recognizable scenes end. The arched copper-clad door, costing approximately $20K, sets a significant, appropriate first impression.

The restaurant magic continues beyond the door, however, leading into a beautiful rustic New Hampshire dining room and bar setting that, for many, creates a love at first sight scenario.
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Lisa Allen, 2021 Outstanding Women in Business recipient - February 11, 2021

BEDFORD — Lisa Allen is the Chief Administrative Officer of Great NH Restaurants

Within six months, Lisa Allen progressed from food server to bartender and then assistant manager of T-BONES restaurant in Bedford. Upon graduating from UNH Manchester, she wrote a five-page letter to Great NH Restaurants CEO Tom Boucher about her observations and ideas to grow the business.

That’s how Lisa was offered a starting position in the home office for two hours per week in neighborhood marketing. Within one year, she had earned herself a full-time office position, handling payroll, marketing and assisting the company’s accountant.

These events occurred more than 20 years ago, but they’re illustrative of Lisa’s personal investment in every aspect of the Great NH Restaurants organization, where she now oversees all administrative operations (for up to 600 employees at one time), and has been an owner and member of the executive team for a decade.
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The Nashua Telegraph - Company now offering paper straws - July 2019

Featured on: Great Bourbon Bars of America - July 11, 2017

Copper Door is proudly featured as one of the best 'Great Bourbon Bars of America'. Check Out The Full List

New England Real Estate Journal's Project of the Month - April 7, 2017

Building on the success of the Bedford location, the Copper Door concept has been waiting in the wings for Boucher to determine where and when the time was right to launch the second location. After exploring numerous potential locations, the new 8,000 s/f restaurant will be constructed on the site of the former Weathervane Restaurant at 41 South Broadway. The new eatery is designed to fill a void between casual and fine dining in the Salem market.

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Union Leader Business - January 26, 2017

A second Copper Door is coming! Plans are underway to build an entire new facility patterned after the first Copper Door. The new location is scheduled to be built and open by the fall of 2017.

"We've really done our homework," said Great NH Restaurants CEO Tom Boucher. "We feel this location will be perfect for our Copper Door concept and a great complement to our T-Bones Great American Eatery concept, also located nearby. The greater Salem area is posed for tremendous growth in the next few years and we want to be a part of it." Also, nearby is the former 170-acre Rockingham Park racetrack property, which Joseph Faro, owner of the Tuscan Brands restaurant chain, recently bought for $40 million, with plans to build a massive commercial/residential development.

The new restaurant will replace the Weathervane restaurant, which has stood at the 41 S. Broadway site for 30 years, said Terry Gagner, owner of the property. "We are saddened by this closure," said Gagner, but the fact that "another locally operated restaurant group will be further developing the property contributed greatly to our difficult decision."

Anxious for the opening? Come by the Bedford location or take a virtual tour to see what's coming to Salem!

Scary Good Fundraiser - November 4, 2016

BEDFORD, NH –The Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford hosted Wicked Scary Week from October 24 to 31, as a fundraiser for FEEDNH.org, a Great NH Restaurants’ Charitable Trust.

Diners could order from the Wicked Scary Prix Fixe Menu or enjoy a glass of spooky sangria. Five Dollars of every Wicked Scary Menu item ordered was donated to FEEDNH.org. In addition to the “scary menu” customers made a $20 donation for a chance to spin the prize wheel to earn prizes.

The event raised over $11,400 for FEEDNH.org.

Making A Connection With Food And Life Learning - March 14, 2016

Bedford, NH – On April 12, 2016, some 25 enthusiastic Culinary Arts students from Manchester School of Technology tour and get a behind the scenes look at their possible career paths in the hospitality industry provided by Chef Chris Volkmann of the Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford, New Hampshire.

Why is this important? According to the National Restaurant Association, half of all Americans have worked in the industry at some point in their lives. Restaurants provide entry level and first time jobs for our youth and give them valuable lifelong learning on how to work as team.

In 2015, Tom Boucher, CEO of parent company Great NH Restaurants, said that he decided to extend the invitation to the Manchester School of Technology Culinary Special Needs Program after learning about the local technical school’s inclusive programs. At the school, instructors and students from the general population team up with students who have special needs, preparing school breakfasts, snacks and lunches. In doing so, the program encourages children with developmental disabilities to sharpen their skills by exposing them to opportunities in the culinary arts.

“It’s amazing what they do there, I was quite moved. We are so happy to have them back again this year.” - Tom Boucher

Mike Holfelder, a chef instructor at Manchester School of Technology who oversees the Culinary Special Needs Program, said the trip to the Copper Door was truly an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of his students.

“Last year’s event was so meaningful for the students, we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to do it again this year with even more students, I just can’t thank the Copper Door enough for this truly unique effort.” - Holfelder

The program shows the students that it takes a lot of people to make a restaurant successful. The students tour the “back of the house” prep room, front line and meet staff members. They are introduced to the various staff positions, the different duties of the cooks and wait staff, as well as the various tasks and responsibilities of each. Throughout the tour Chef Volkmann explains how important team work is, creating a positive work environment and respect. Volkmann is a natural at visiting with the youth and not only gives them a tour, but treats them to a delicious 3 course lunch as they talk about the industry. The students are typically filled with great questions. Each student receives a certificate for successfully completing a “Culinary Tour of the Copper Door.” Great NH Restaurants operates five T-BONES Great American Eatery locations: Bedford, Salem, Hudson, Derry and Laconia, two Cactus Jack’s Great West Grill locations: Laconia and Manchester, and the Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford, NH. For more information on the Copper Door Restaurant which is located at 15 Leavy Drive in Bedford, NH.

Copper Door Fundraiser for Mint Bistro - February 24, 2016

Bedford, NH – The Copper Door invites all to help raise funds for the employees of the Mint Bistro, who are out of work until repairs are made to the Manchester restaurant. Recently, the Mint Bistro was forced to close as a result of pipes freezing in the building. The Copper Door, along with other area restaurants are coming to the aid of the Mint Bistro employees, knowing that they will be without pay for an extended period of time.

On Sunday, February 28th, anyone who donates $10 to this effort will be given the chance to spin the prize wheel and win Copper Door gift certificates ranging from $10 up to $50 to be used on their next visit. 100% of the money raised will go to the employees in need.

The Copper Door is an award-winning restaurant featuring Approachable New American & Upscale Comfort Foods, located at 15 Leavy Drive in Bedford, NH.

National Restaurant Association Honors New Hampshire Restaurateur - February 24, 2016

Bedford, NH – Tom Boucher, owner and CEO of Great NH Restaurants was honored at the National Restaurant Association Public Affairs conference in Washington DC on May 6th, 2014. Boucher was awarded with the 2013 America’s Restaurant Advocates Advocacy Leadership Award for Independent Restaurants.

Boucher was presented the award for success as an advocate for his business and for the industry as a whole in the state of New Hampshire. Boucher credits his success with advocacy for his restaurants by being on the front lines in his community and actively communicating with the media and legislatures. “I learn so much from being a part of this national platform”, said Boucher, “I am honored that my efforts in New Hampshire help the industry as we face new challenges.”

Great NH Restaurants owns Copper Door Restaurant in Bedford, five T-BONES Great American Eatery locations: Bedford, Salem, Hudson, Derry and Laconia, and two Cactus Jack’s Great West Grill locations: Laconia and Manchester. For more information, visit GreatNHRestaurants.com.