Brogan: Time For Another Goodbye!

The impending demolition of a building on South Main Street (next door to the Bank of NH Stage) will elicit a variety of responses from readers. Depending upon your age, the building represented a myriad of connection to our community.

Built in the latter half of the 1800's, it has stood the test of time as a multitude of changes have happened in Concord's downtown area. It seems, however, that the death knell is about to be heard.

Concord's developer extraordinaire, Steve Duprey has made a tireless effort in the past few years, to give this historic landmark away. He sees the history contained therein and would like nothing better than to see the building preserved - somewhere. His offer even includes money to help any interested parties in moving the structure. Sadly, nothing has come from his more than generous offer and he has run out of options.

Originally, the building was the home to the Norris family. Next door, in the building that formerly housed the Concord Theatre and currently the Bank of NH Stage, was the celebrated Norris Bakery. The sweet aromas that emanated from the bakery could be enjoyed throughout downtown. In 1933 the bakery building was converted into the Concord Theatre which operated until 1994. Since 2019, the Bank of NH Stage has brought a wide range of entertainment options to Concord.

The residence building became home to The Friendly Club. Hundreds of young women called it their home over the many decades it was in operation. Some were attending the Concord Commercial College; others were attending nursing school and others were looking for a safe haven in which to reside. They found it there.

For many of those years, Mrs. Campbell was the House Mother. A formidable force, Mrs. Campbell had a heart of gold and took her responsibility of keeping her charges safe, very seriously. There were curfews and males were not permitted inside the dormitory section of the building. It seemed to work, since there were seldom, if ever, reports of problems.

I knew Mrs. Campbell from her long association with the Community Players of Concord. She and her very talented daughters, Sylvia, Adair and Heather, graced the stage of the City Auditorium many times in the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. On warm evenings, Mrs. Campbell would sit on the stone wall outside of The Friendly Club and chat, cheerily, with passerby.

During the years I worked at the Concord Theatre, I would often stop and visit with her. Her wealth of knowledge about our city and about the history of The Friendly Club was mesmerizing.

Mrs. Campbell always came to the movie theater on the opening night of a new film to find out whether it was "...fit to be seen by my girls..."

In the summer of 1970, the theater played "Woodstock", the documentary film about the 1969 festival. It was an enormous success and the audience in attendance behaved as though they were actually at the festival. Frequently they would step aside to smoke in the driveway that separated the theater from the Club.

One evening Mrs. Campbell came rushing into the theater to tell Theresa Cantin, the owner, and me, that there was a crowd in the driveway smoking, "and I don't think they're Marlboro's either," she exclaimed.

For many locals, they visited The Friendly Club for the purpose of roller skating. There was a large area in an addition to the building, that provided great skating as well as an array of other events. It was a true gathering place for many, well into the 70's.

Passing times eventually meant the end of The Friendly Club. The building, however, saw new life, thanks to the Montore family, which purchased it.

They extensively renovated the facility while maintaining its integrity and history. The Concord Academy of Hair Design was attended by hundreds of budding hairstylists and the dorm portion provided a tanning center, rooms for students as well as other rooms for rent. I lived there briefly as did Concord's Mayor, Jim Bouley. The 1980's were a thriving and busy time for the building.

The new century saw many changes in Concord. The building lurched ahead with some success for a while but ultimately was empty more than it was used. Older residents still fondly refer to the building as "The Friendly Club" while younger people sometimes see it as a relic from a time long gone.

Steve Duprey's vision for the lot is exciting and has the potential of complementing the truly exciting area that South Main has become. However, I feel a little wistful about the loss and will miss the smile I would always break into whenever I stroll by the building. Fortunately, during its incredible life, it has made the lives of many and our community just a little bit better.