Common Man Expansion Still in the Works

When Common Man restaurant owner Alex Ray purchased the former Canine Cupboard store adjacent to his State Street establishment in April 2012, he had hoped to expand the lounge and add some outdoor dining last summer.

As of Monday, the restaurant had still not done anything with the former Canine Cupboard store. But Common Man officials maintain they will go through with their plans to expand the Portsmouth restaurant later this year.

Erica Auciello Murphy, who serves as the Common Man restaurants' director of communications and community relations, said the company is still honing their final design before they can go ahead with the expansion project.

In an e-mail Murphy wrote, "I checked with our main office on the progress and we are in a design phase right now. We should have more information for you in a few weeks once this process is done."

Previously, Ray, who owns 19 Common Man restaurants, two inns and one performing arts center in Plymouth called The Flying Monkey, said he wanted to add a 30-seat lounge and create outdoor dining on the flat roof above the Common Man's current lounge.