As Primary Draws Near, New Hampshire Gives Itself an Election Year Makeover

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Call it the primary economy of New Hampshire.

It's a ritual every four years –- famous political landmarks getting spruced up just in time for the crush of visitors here to witness the New Hampshire primary in early February. There's perhaps no restaurant more frequented by candidates than Red Arrow, which is why it's being torn apart down to the floorboards.

"We're re-doing the floors, getting new countertops, and getting new hoods in the kitchen," said Amanda Wihby, the assistant director of operations for the company. She was quick to point out that the diner, which has hosted scores of candidates in years past, will look virtually the same to this year's White House hopefuls.

Across town, hotels are also readying for 2016, when politicians, staff, volunteers and media will flood the state in the buildup to the first-in-the-nation primary.

"We're giving all the wooden cabinets a fresh stain, getting spruced up," said James Prentiss, general manager at Homewood Suites in Manchester. "We had to have the roof re-done…but we're getting done in time for the primary. We're going to add 10 new units, too."

Downtown, the Hilton Garden Inn, a favorite among campaigns, underwent a complete overhaul.

"We have all new mattresses, all new Keurig coffee makers, brand new TVs," Christine, a hotel receptionist, said. But the most important addition, she said, was an upgraded WiFi system for the swarm of devices that the swarm of campaign staff and journalists will bring.

Most of these repairs would probably be needed anyway -- "We're open 24 hours, so there's a lot of foot traffic coming in and out of there," Wihby from Red Arrow said -– but no one wants to be caught flat-footed during the quadrennial boon to local businesses. So autumn is the time to get your house in order.

The demand can be seen in prices. At the nearby Fairfield Suites, rooms for January 22 can be booked for $149. The same room, a week later, is currently going for more than double that price.

Steve Duprey’s properties are an exception -– if you’re running for president, that is. The Republican National Committee state chairman owns four hotels in the state, and offers a special rate to candidates: just $20.16 per night. So far he’s welcomed at least nine contenders, including Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Martin O’Malley.

"Most of the candidates themselves are unaware of it until we tell them, and then they sure like it” he said. "Schedulers know about it."

Meanwhile, the regulars at Manchester’s Red Arrow Diner will get a discount of their own -– 25 percent off to any other location while renovations continue.

Carol Lawrence, the owner, is confident she'll make all that money back. With the most open race in years, candidates are looking to shake every hand they can, and there are always plenty of hands at Red Arrow.

"Candidates will come and see new bright red countertops," she said. "But it’ll still have the charm. And that's the most important thing."