New Kids on the Block

Buildings on South and Main Streets welcome businesses, residents

When complete this summer, Hanover’s pedestrian-friendly area known as South Block, located roughly from South Street’s Howe Library to Main Street, will be home to about 70 Dartmouth community members and 10 new and relocated businesses. “As we have developed the area we have worked to preserve the characteristics—such as a vibrant street life and unique mix of businesses—that make Hanover’s downtown such a dynamic place,” says Paul Olsen, Dartmouth’s director of real estate.

South Block is already the home of such well-known merchants as Hanover TrueValue Hardware, Ramunto’s Brick & Brew Pizzeria, and Systems Plus Computers. This November, Umpleby’s Bakery and Café, a regular at the nearby Norwich Farmer’s Market, opened its doors, fresh from its move from Bridgewater, Vt. Located at 3 South Street, the Umpleby’s  building has its own built-in bakery and incorporates the original timber framing and architectural detailing of an 18th-century Hanover house. Future South Block businesses will include The Mountain Goat, an outdoor clothing and gear store; New Energy Capital, an investment firm for renewable energy (founded by Scott Brown ’78); and C. Beston & Company, a home furnishings and interior design company currently located on Lebanon Street. 

For Dartmouth employees and graduate students, there will be 40 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Twenty-four units will be located on the upper floors of 68 South Main, and nine of those will be reserved for visiting professors. Parking for 118 vehicles is also included in the project. Learn more about renting an apartment or contact Jennifer Jones at 646-9286.

By STEVEN J. SMITH

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