Every month we sit down with one of our amazing ABA members to get to know them a little better! For July, we spoke with Rick Almeida, owner of Dockside. We ask each member the same questions, providing an opportunity for our members to highlight the important work that they do in our communities. If you’re an ABA Member and would like to be considered for future Monthly Member Highlights, please reach out to us via email at info@altonbusinessassociation.com
Q: Tell us about your business?
A: Dockside is a year round steak and seafood restaurant. We are passionate about food and friendships. Our goal is to be upscale but not uppity. We created an eating establishment that is elegant, yet casual and comfortable where you can come after work for a burger and beer, or get dressed up a bit and have your next date night with us. Dockside is a place where you’re likely to run into old friends and make new ones at the same time.
Q: Tell us about yourself:
A: I’m originally from RI and have lived in New Hampshire now for over 30 years. Dockside is my first foray into the restaurant business. I’m a 30 year marketing executive by background and I am founder and owner of a software company based out of Massachusetts. The company makes software for printed circuit board manufacturing. So naturally opening a restaurant was the next logical step.
Q: How did your business get started?
A: I love cooking and I wanted to bring some of those local Rhode Island dishes that I was making at home to the lakes region. The concept of Dockside was to create a casual fun atmosphere that also offered fare you typically couldn’t find in the area.
Q; What has your relationship with the Alton Business Association done for you or
your business?
A: The ABA has been very supportive of us getting the restaurant open as well as promoting us to the community. They are constantly coming up with ways to not just promote a business but Alton in general as a destination spot in the lakes region.
Q: What do you value most about this community?
A: We had the misfortune to launch Dockside just a couple of months before the Covid-19 lockdown. One of the things that struck me most was how the community rallied around local Alton businesses and made it a point to support us as well as the other establishments in the area during that very difficult time.
Q: Why did you want to open your business in this community?
A: Alton has a great summer tourism business. I felt we could add to that and give Lake tourists another reason to come to Alton from the surrounding regions.
Q: What business accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Having a strong team that has worked hard to manage Dockside throughout the pandemic and contributed, along with the other Alton eateries, to making Alton a destination spot in the Lakes region.
Q: What does the future hold for you and your business?
A: Hopefully a return to normalcy, LOL.
Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you had as a new business owner?
A: While every business owner has their vision for what they want their business to be, it’s important to also temper that with your market audience and be willing to change and adapt to their needs.
Q: How can people who want to learn more about you or your business get in
touch with you?
A: You can reach us via email at info@docksidenh.com or visit our website www.docksidenh.com.
