New Business: Buxton's Pizza rolls into Derry; Red Arrow opens 24/7 in Nashua

Feb. 24—STARTING AS a food truck, Buxton's Pizza rolled into its new brick and mortar spot in Derry earlier this month.

The business opened in 2020 before expanding to its storefront at 158 Rockingham Road, the former La Herradura Mexican restaurant. The place officially opened on Valentine's Day.

"After four seasons of setting up at various locations each weekend, we found a home for a brick and mortar location," its website reads. "At the restaurant we have the opportunity to serve up more than just our pizza and explore our own take on Italian cuisine."

Joshua Buxton, who owns the business with his wife, Alyssa, bought a retired FBI mobile command center from an auction in 2019 to convert into the pizza shop on wheels.

"There wasn't very many food trucks in 2019 when I bought it," he said.

Buxton had bigger plans once he started rolling up to places like Rockingham Brewing, North Country Hard Cider and The Plant Shop of NH in Derry.

"I was always wanted a brick and mortar, but I was 24 years old and we didn't have investors," he said. That's nice way of saying nobody would give him money.

"We gutted it in my buddy's backyard and we had a brick oven shipped in from Italy," he said.

They now have two such brick ovens. The truck could operate only on certain days because of the refrigeration needed for the dough, which takes three days to ferment and doesn't have any sugar in it.

He signed the lease for the storefront on Oct. 24. The place is lined with family pictures and artwork from his great-grandfather's old cabin. The bar is made from old bowling lanes.

Buxton recently unveiled 11 new menu items, but the pizza is on everyone's mind.

"We are making everything by hand," Buxton said.

Of course, the new location doesn't mean life on the road is completely over for the Buxtons. They still plan to use the retrofitted FBI truck to cater weddings and other private events.

Going 24/7 in Nashua

Joining its location in Manchester, the Red Arrow Diner in Nashua will open 24/7 starting on St. Patrick's Day with half-price beverages, including cocktails and beer.

The location opened in May 2020 inside a former Friendly's at 149 Daniel Webster Highway. Customers will enjoy half-price beverages, including cocktails and beer.

"Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our team worked tirelessly to bring the Red Arrow experience to Nashua in 2020," said Amanda Wihby, Red Arrow's co-owner and chief operations officer.

Red Arrow Diner was established in 1922 at 61 Lowell St. in Manchester and continues to operate 24 hours a day. The business is working at restoring 24/7 service in Concord and Londonderry.

Texas Roadhouse opens

Texas Roadhouse has joined Concord's lineup of Loudon Road chain restaurants, opening Monday at the location of the former Newick's Lobster House.

As part of its training, the chain invited guests from local food banks, Friends of Forgotten Children and The Friendly Kitchen to enjoy its "legendary steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs and made-from-scratch sides."

The restaurant at 317 Loudon Road hired a staff of 200 people.

Starbucks coming to Concord

Also in Concord, construction of the new Starbucks at 10 Whitney Road is underway.

The parcel off Exit 17 on Interstate 93 is across the street from Merchants Way plaza, which right now includes Market Basket, HomeGoods, New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet and Wendy's.

Hutter Construction Corp. is the contractor.

"More options for the neighborhood!" Merchants Way posted on Facebook.

'Ray the Mover' spot leased

The famous Ray the Mover building on Interstate 293 in Manchester has a new tenant.

Sanford Temperature Control Inc. will now occupy the 35,740-square-foot high-bay warehouse building as its new headquarters. The plumbing and HVAC contractor is located in Milford right now.

"With its room for growth, proximity to major arteries enabling quick trips to Nashua and Concord, and unique location offering a great branding opportunity, we're excited for how this location will enable us to further our mission to 'Give the Trades a Good Home,'" Rich Jordan, owner of Sanford, said in a statement.

Doug Martin and Bob Rohrer, of Colliers International's Manchester office, represented the landlord and assisted the tenant in the transaction.

The demand for high bay warehouse/distribution space has continued while its availability remains limited, Martin said.