Earlier this month, I wrote about the Littleworth Road mixed-use project, where the City Council entered into a development agreement with the property owner in a public-private partnership. As you recall, this is a significant project planned to be built in phases over the next 15 or so years that will have a wide-ranging impact on the community. Another large-scale project with community-wide impacts is the redevelopment of the Liberty Mutual parcel.

The Liberty Mutual site is located on Sixth Street between the Spaulding Turnpike and Watson Road, with an entrance across from Indian Brook Drive. The Liberty Mutual Insurance Company developed the 220-acre site in the mid-1990s and expanded in 2007 with a new 350,000-square-foot building, bringing the total commercial space to 600,000 square feet. At its height, more than 3,000 people were employed at the site. In October 2023, Liberty Mutual announced it was putting the property on the market and moving most of its workforce to its Portsmouth campus.

So, what’s the plan? Currently, Manchester-based Brady Sullivan Properties is seeking to redevelop the site and has a purchase and sales agreement with Liberty Mutual. Brady Sullivan submitted a plan to the City for Site Plan approval, which would convert the 2007 building into a mixed-use building featuring over 200 residential units and approximately 37,000 square feet of commercial space. This plan is in the technical review process (last reviewed on June 12), which is the first step in permit review.

Brady Sullivan is optimistic about commercial development on the site and is interested in working with the community on that phase of it. What does that mean? Well, they have an interest in working with Planning Director Donna Benton and her staff to bring the community together to help create a vision for the site and see what types of community and commercial uses they could develop on the site. They want to have more than the 200-plus initial residential units and are interested to see what the community has in mind.

Brady Sullivan tells city staff they are open to being creative. Staff is excited to work with the Brady Sullivan team to see what could be and how we can take advantage of the opportunity we have. 

P.S. If you want more background on Dover's public-private partnerships, check out this week's Dover Download podcast.

Have a great week, 

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Fire on the Mountain:

A New Chapter in a Dover Legacy

By Reid Bickley,

Business Development Specialist

There’s a sense of comfort in knowing that some things remain rooted in tradition, especially when it comes to beloved local businesses. For more than three decades, Fire on the Mountain has been just that: a trusted retailer for ski and snowboard enthusiasts throughout the Seacoast and beyond. First opened in 1989 by Bob Siener, the shop became synonymous with personalized service, deep product knowledge, and a passionate outdoor community.

Today, that legacy lives on and expands under new ownership and a bold new vision. Chris Dupont, a lifelong Dover resident and former Boot Club kid at Fire on the Mountain, purchased the business in 2024 with a clear goal: honor the heritage, but evolve the model to serve outdoor adventurers all year long.

Fire on the Mountain moved to 264 Central Ave.

Chris didn’t stumble into this opportunity; it felt more like destiny.

“I’ve been skiing since I was four, and Fire on the Mountain always had a special place in my heart,” he shared. “My dad and Bob were golfing one day, and Bob mentioned wanting to pass the torch. Everything just aligned.”

And with that, Chris took over, not just a storefront, but a community institution. He and his dedicated team have worked tirelessly to maintain the reputation Fire on the Mountain earned over 35 years. “Bob always believed great service and product knowledge were non-negotiable. We’ve continued to make those our top priorities,” Chris said.

A New Home, A Bigger Mission

The store recently moved to a new, more prominent downtown Dover location at 264 Central Avenue, and with it came a major expansion of the shop’s offerings. No longer just a seasonal ski and snowboard shop, they now serve outdoor lovers of all types, year-round.

“We knew we had to evolve to stay sustainable, but also to better serve our customers,” Chris explained. “Our staff recreate twelve months out of the year, so we asked ourselves, how can we stay relevant every season? That’s how the idea for hiking, camping, and fly-fishing gear came to life.”

With the move, Fire on the Mountain also benefits from increased foot traffic.

“We’ve had people walk in who’ve lived in Dover for years and never knew we were here before,” Chris said. “Now, they discover us by walking downtown, and that’s been a game-changer.”

Chris is quick to reassure loyal customers that nothing about the ski and snowboard side is going away. In fact, it’s better than ever. From top-tier brands like Scarpa, Lowa, and Blizzard to expert boot-fitting services and stone grind tunes, the winter offerings remain world-class.

What’s new is a carefully curated collection of gear for every other season, from NEMO Equipment tents and sleeping bags, made right across the street, to fly-fishing lines from Simms, Sage, and Rio, and even gourmet backcountry meals from Good To-Go, a local Kittery company.

Chris Dupont continues the Fire on the Mountain legacy with the help of his pup Manny.

The team’s dedication to product knowledge remains unmatched, whether it’s fitting a ski boot, trail runner, or setting up a fly reel on the shop’s state-of-the-art line winder. "We know our stuff, and we’ll walk you through every step. From fly casting basics to hiking spot recommendations, we’re here to guide you," Chris said.

For Chris, keeping Fire on the Mountain in Dover wasn’t just a business decision; it was personal. “I was born and raised here, and I’ve never lived anywhere else. Dover will always be home.”

The shop’s new model leans heavily on community relationships. Many of the brands they carry have deep local ties, and even deeper friendships. “Nemo’s team comes in here, we go over there, it’s an amazing collaboration. We get to give feedback directly to engineers and even test gear before it hits the market,” he shared.

There’s also a four-legged fixture in the shop these days, Manny the dog, who Chris swears is the best shop dog in New England. “He’ll pose for pictures if you tell him he’s working,” Chris laughed. Looking ahead, Fire on the Mountain plans to host more workshops and clinics to help locals build confidence in outdoor adventures, from fly casting to gear care. The team is especially excited about the upcoming Grand Opening Celebration on Thursday, July 31, from 5-8 pm, officially announcing their expanded vision and fresh start.

You can visit Fire on the Mountain at 264 Central Ave., Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and say hello! 

Some of the non-ski offerings at Fire on the Mountain.

Social Media's 5-5-5 Rule

If you’re overwhelmed by what to post on social media or worried you’re being too “salesy”, the 5-5-5 Rule is a simple strategy to bring balance, variety, and value to your content.

Here’s how it works: for every 15 posts, aim to include:

·       5 posts that provide value (tips, how-tos, educational insights)

·       5 posts that build relationships (behind-the-scenes, team stories, community highlights)

·       5 posts that promote your business (products, services, sales, events)

This framework prevents your feed from becoming a constant sales pitch. It helps position your brand as approachable, trustworthy, and worth following.

Need a deeper breakdown? This overview of the 5-5-5 Rule explains how using a blend of value-driven, relational, and promotional content can build thought leadership and attract more organic reach, a benefit that every small business can leverage.

As you plan your next round of posts, think about how each piece of content serves your audience. Are you teaching them something? Showing them who you are? Or giving them a reason to buy? A little structure can go a long way.

Tip of the Week!

Review your last 15 posts and categorize them using the 5-5-5 Rule. If you notice one category dominating, adjust your next few posts to restore balance. This kind of planning builds a well-rounded brand and a more loyal audience.

Question of the Week



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

This week's question: What first brought you to Dover?

Let us know at https://polco.us/fpktzk.

Please note that if you don't already have an account with Polco, the city's polling system, you will be asked to create one. Responses are anonymous.

Last week we asked, What type of businesses or services do you always have to leave Dover to find? Responses included, marketing/advertising agencies, books, fabric, sewing, a grocery co-op, and practical clothing stores that are not boutiques.

Building Partnerships: How Dover Makes Public-Private Partnerships Work

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Eric Chinburg and Chad Kageleiry about Dover's use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as an economic development tool. Both developers have extensive experience working with the city on various projects over the past decade.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at https://bit.ly/3Gqnixr.

Business Event Happenings 

34th Anniversary Dinner Buffet, Taste of India, July 16, 5-8:30 p.m.

55 Main St. Celebrate 34 years of delicious tradition at Taste of India with a special dinner buffet featuring classic Indian appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Join this longtime local favorite eatery in honoring their journey and the community that made it all possible.

Spilling the Tea Workshop, The Aplomb Project, July 17, 6-8 p.m.

262 Central Ave. Tap into your intuition and creativity at Spilling the Tea, a tea leaf reading and creative expression workshop led by local reader Jezmina Von Thiele. This immersive experience begins with a mindful tea ritual and symbolic reading, then flows into guided journaling and art-making. No experience needed.

Summer Book Club & Mocktails, Replenish Refillery, July 17, 6-8:30 p.m.

2A Waldron Court. Join Replenish Refillery’s summer book club for a refreshing evening of discussion and mocktails, featuring Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. This summer's read explores climate change, resilience, and the ethical choices that shape our future. 

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.