We pause our normal installment of “Welcome” by Moi to insert a thank you and congratulations. I want to thank the Guillemette family for all the years of community support they and their business, Harvey’s, have provided Dover. At the same time, as they eye a closing this spring, I want to congratulate them on the years of success they have had with their bakery and coffee shop.

If you’re of my age and grew up in Dover, you’ll know there were two hallmarks of the breakfast and lunchtime crowd: Harvey’s and Jakes. Jakes, for the unaware, was in the Strand Theater. It morphed into Ron’s and moved where the Nook now is. Harvey’s didn’t morph. It kept its clientele and its menu and settled into the place you went when you came home to visit.

I’m sure there will be sadness online and in the words expressed by customers over the next few months. Not from me, though. I want to celebrate the fact that local business owners went out on top. Susan, Pam, Karen, and Brad all made the choice to continue after their dad passed the business to them. They fostered an environment where they knew their customers and their stories. They certainly knew my parents, and I will appreciate that.

They knew what worked and what didn’t. They knew how to make a delicious pork pie and how to serve it with eggs (sunny side up for me). They cultivated loyal staff and were able to maintain smiles on their faces and keep things afloat during multiple economic cycles. From what I can tell, though not speaking with any member of the ownership, this is not a sad economic story but rather a happy one.

As did Earcraft – and Farnham’s before it, Alie Jewelers, Nicole’s, and other local businesses, there comes a time when the ownership says, I’m ready to retire. It’s something we all look forward to. No longer a need to get up with the roosters and make the donuts (or maple squares). Rather, it's time to celebrate that you made the maple squares for so many years and are able to sell your assets and relax.

We should applaud the Guillemettes for their commitment to their business, their family, and their customers. The community is better for the time Harvey’s has been here, and someone will come along and build on that foundation for their own future, just as Harvey Bernier did when he founded the bakery.

So, go with happiness, not sadness, to sample a final meal or meals there, and thank the team. Look forward to their next chapters and the next chapter of the space along Central Avenue which once had aluminum siding covering three floors, and had a rebirth upon its removal (20 years ago), and will have another rebirth soon. For me, I’d love to see the dessert case, which used to twirl in the dining room, enticing diners near the coffee counter, return for a one-off. That’s how I remember Harvey’s; looking at that case and thinking, carrot cake? A piece of pie? Hmm, what will I have….

Have a great week, 

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Chris Serrecchia, owner of Ember, clears a path in front of his restaurant as he prepares to open for the day.

Local Business Highlight

By Reid Bickley,

Business Development Specialist

Spotlight on Local Growth: Ember’s New Meeting Space

As the Business Development Specialist, one of my key responsibilities is working directly with Dover’s businesses to meet with them regularly and support their growth. Whether it’s through advocacy, marketing, problem-solving, or helping them navigate challenges, my role is to ensure our local businesses have the tools they need to succeed.

This week, I had the opportunity to connect with a longtime local business that has expanded its offerings, Ember-Wood Fired Grill. A staple in Dover’s dining scene, Ember is celebrating its ninth year in operation, but its owner, Chris Serrecchia, has been shaping the local business landscape for over 20 years. From running The Brick (a.k.a. The Dover Brickhouse) to taking over Ember’s historic downtown location, he has witnessed firsthand the evolution of Dover’s business climate.

Ember recently underwent some exciting updates, including a revamped dining space and a new private meeting room. With its warm, inviting atmosphere, the refreshed space offers the perfect setting for private gatherings. The meeting room has been thoughtfully designed for versatility, featuring two 16-foot dining tables, additional seating options, and a 75-inch screen, making it ideal for business meetings, private dinners, or even game-day viewing parties.

Ember’s menu continues to evolve with seasonal flavors crafted by Chef Chris Gouzie, offering globally inspired yet approachable dishes like the Miso Roasted Salmon and the signature Braised Short Rib, a longtime favorite. The impressive cocktail program features house-infused spirits, an exclusive Barrel Series, and an expanding selection of low-ABV and mocktail options. With bold flavors, expertly crafted drinks, and a refreshed atmosphere, Ember offers an elevated dining experience that’s well worth a visit!

Ember General Manager Charlie O'Neill, top photo, is ready to serve. In the bottom photo, left, is Ember's new meeting space. Pictured on the bottom, right, is one of Ember's signature dishes, the braised short ribs.

Milestone Moments/Business Anniversaries

We are ending the month of February with special shout-outs and kudos to some of our local businesses:

Wing-itz Restaurants celebrated an incredible 18 years on February 2nd! Derek Fisher, thank you for nearly two decades of serving up delicious wings and expanding in Dover.

Lexie's turned 15 years old on February 5th! KC and Alexis, your passion for great food and community spirit has made a lasting impact. Here’s to many more!

Earth Harmony Wellness marked 8 years of holistic wellness on February 11th! Cheers to nearly a decade of helping Dover thrive, Dianne Chalifour!

Kim Jennison celebrated one year as the owner of The Silver Fountain Inn on February 13th! Wishing you continued success and many more wonderful years in Dover.

If you have an upcoming accomplishment or news about your business that you want highlighted in our Down to Business newsletter, feel free to reach out to us via email at: Dover-BusinessDevelopment@dover.nh.gov

How to Leverage User-Generated Content

Believe it or not, your customers are your best marketing tool. In today’s business climate, brand trust is everything, and consumers are becoming increasingly diligent about where their dollars are spent. What’s even more interesting, is that consumers are more likely to believe a fellow customer’s experience than a brand’s advertisement. This week I thought I would dive into user-generated content (UGC), and how your customers’ photos, videos, testimonials, and social media posts can become one of your most powerful marketing tools.

UGC works because authentic customer experiences resonate more than polished ads, and when people see real users enjoying your product or service, it enhances credibility (think about people demonstrating products from the TikTok shop and how their testimonials created massive sales for those products). To generate more UGC, create a branded hashtag, run contests or challenges, ask for reviews and photos, and actively engage with your community.

By incorporating user-generated content into your marketing strategy, you not only build trust but also strengthen relationships with your customers. A few best practices for sharing UGC are: always ask for permission before re-sharing someone’s content, and give credit by tagging the original creator. It is also wise to feature UGC across all of your platforms including social media, emails, and even in-store displays. If you start leveraging UGC, you will turn your customers into your brand’s biggest advocates!

Tip of the Week!

Create a digital display or a bulletin board showcasing customer photos, reviews, or social media posts. Be sure to tag and thank them for sharing their experience!

Office Hours:

Office of Business Development Highlights

By James Burdin,

Business Development Coordinator

I want to give a huge shoutout to our Community Services Department for all of the work their team has been doing to dig the City out from the winter weather of the past few weeks. As always, the best way to report any issues with public streets, sidewalks, or facilities is through the City’s Service Request Portal, and you can sign up for Parking Ban Alerts online along with numerous other city publications.

Business Development staff have also been thinking a lot about sidewalks lately. Outdoor dining season is right around the corner, and we’ve been working with other departments on the back end to make this year’s application process easier than ever. The City’s outdoor dining policy allows restaurants to request space on public sidewalks and, in some cases, parking spaces, in front of their business for outside seating.

The outdoor dining application can be found on the City’s online permit portal. Any business hoping to use public parking spaces will also need approval from the Parking Commission – we recommend that any new request to lease parking spaces be submitted by March 12 to ensure adequate time for review before the season opens. As always, feel free to contact Business Development staff with any questions!

Question of the Week

The Office of Business Development is asking a “question of the week” to get your feedback on topics related to our local business community.

This week's question: How has remote work changed your relationship with local businesses? 

Let us know here: https://polco.us/fta95d.

Dover Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker continues the fiscal year 2026 budget. This week he discusses the proposed budgets for the public schools, and the Executive, Finance, and Welfare departments.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or find it here.

Business Event Happenings 

The Wheel of Awesome, Revo Casino,

Feb. 28, 8 p.m.

887B Central Ave. Enjoy a free night of entertainment with The Wheel of Awesome! This four-piece live band delivers an unpredictable mix of music and a game-show format. Must be 18 or older to attend.

"Grounded" group exhibition, Aplomb Gallery, March 1, 8 p.m.

15 Mechanic St Suite 117. Aplomb Gallery presents Grounded, a portrait exhibition featuring 18 artists exploring themes of connection, stability, and presence. Experience diverse styles and mediums that reflect what it means to be grounded in identity, environment, and emotions. Free admission; Advanced registration requested.

Complete Listings

Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events.

Click here or on the calendar below to find more community events!

Click here to add your events to the community calendar.