Bank of New Hampshire is proud to have played a role in bringing Arts Alley—a vibrant new arts and entertainment destination in downtown Concord—to life. Developed by Steve Duprey of The Duprey Companies, Arts Alley embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity and community that defines New Hampshire’s capital city.

Inspiration Rooted in a Passion for the Arts

The idea for Arts Alley was first conceived by Duprey’s late friend Van McLeod, former Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for New Hampshire and a lifelong advocate for the arts.

When a dormant theatre (now the Bank of New Hampshire stage) was at risk of being torn down, Van said, “We need to save this,” Duprey recalls. “Van shared, ‘Wouldn’t it be neat if we could create a little mini arts and entertainment district centered around this property?’”

That conversation planted the seed for what would eventually become Arts Alley—a lively venue where people can experience art, music, food and connection all in one place. Think of Nashville’s Broadway─but on a smaller scale.

A Vision for a Community Space

Duprey’s vision was to create a community space, a place where people can come downtown where something would always be happening—whether it’s live music in the courtyard, family programming, or a community dance party under the stars.

Anchoring Arts Alley are a few distinctive venues:

• The Friendly Toast, a retro-inspired eatery that brings its creative menu and atmosphere to the ground floor of the complex.
• Duke’s, located in the former 1852 Norris Bakery stable building (currently under construction) will feature live music three to four nights a week in a lively, Nashville-themed setting.
• A vintage Silk City Diner, once owned by prominent local business leader Mike Dingman, is now reimagined as a cozy dining spot.
• A Rooftop Bar featuring a converted Airstream trailer—an idea Duprey brought home after seeing something similar out west—offering a fun place to unwind with striking city views.

With a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, Arts Alley was designed to make downtown Concord a place to gather, celebrate and enjoy local culture year-round.

Overcoming Challenges Through Partnership

As with any downtown development, challenges arose—from site constraints and permitting hurdles to complex financing needs to contaminated soil contained within the former Norris Bakery building. Duprey credits Bank of New Hampshire as a trusted partner throughout the process for financing the $12 million project.

“Bank of New Hampshire has been with me through thick and thin for almost 50 years,” he shared. “They make sure we’re asking the right questions and doing things the right way. I love the partnership; it inspires me to keep exploring new projects.”

A Thriving Downtown Destination

Since opening, Arts Alley has hosted art markets, whiskey dinners, business events, rehearsal dinners and even marriage proposals—quickly becoming a go-to destination for both locals and visitors.

When asked what makes him most proud of this project, Duprey shared, “The feedback I receive about the staff. Guests say they feel so welcomed, and that’s what I am most proud of. In addition to the financial success, because both go hand in hand.”

Strengthening Communities, One Project at a Time

“Development financing is one of the most complex and challenging types of transactions, but it’s also among the most rewarding, especially when the result is a thriving business that enhances the community,” said Joanne Gagnon, VP Commercial Banker. “I have great admiration for Steve Duprey and his team’s vision, expertise and dedication, as well as their continued confidence in the bank.”

At Bank of New Hampshire, we are proud to support projects that strengthen the communities we serve—projects like Arts Alley that bring people together, celebrate creativity and enhance the economic vitality of downtown Concord, NH.

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