Lamprey & Lamprey to mark 70 years in business with open house October 13

CENTER HARBOR — Lamprey & Lamprey Realtors, dba Center Harbor - Lamprey Real Estate Associates, has revolved around family from its very inception. The partnership of Lamprey & Lamprey was formed between Robert Lamprey, Jr. and his brother Stewart Lamprey in 1945. During the last 70 years this family owned and operated real estate company has seen many changes to the New Hampshire Lakes Region, and through their community-minded approach, maintained a leading role in the real estate industry.

To celebrate 70 years in business an open House will be held Oct. 13 from 2:00 – 6:00 at the Lamprey Real Estate office located at 249 Whittier Highway in Center Harbor.

The first Lamprey & Lamprey office Office was located right in the center of Moultonboro, in a building that has since been removed in front of the Moultonboro Historical Society's Lamprey House Museum. Bob & Stewart realized early on that the quiet town of Moultonboro wouldn't offer enough activity to sustain their business and support two new families, so they relocated the Lamprey & Lamprey operation to Laconia on Paugus Bay.

After several years of successful operation in Laconia, the growing real estate company relocated to 408 Union Avenue in Laconia and expanded its operation to include insurance services. In the late 1960's, Bob and Stewart purchased the P.I. Building at the lights in Meredith, currently the home of the Inn at Bay Point and Lago, providing a Lamprey & Lamprey location closer to their home town of Moultonboro. This move established Lamprey & Lamprey as a leader in marketing waterfront properties in the Lakes Region. A boom in the secondary home market on Lake Winnipesaukee combined with smaller camps being replaced by luxurious waterfront homes provided ample inventory in the real estate market.

In the mid 1970's, Bob & Stewart began to diversify their business. Both brothers were active in politics. Bob served on the Board of Selectmen for 15 years and served on the Planning Board for the Town of Moultonboro. Stewart spent 21 years serving the state of New Hampshire as Speaker of the House of Representatives and served as President of the Senate.

Both took active roles in numerous conservation and preservation boards throughout the Lakes Region. Their influence in historic preservation and environmental concerns for the lakes was apparent. This community activism kept both in touch with the local people and their community.

Stewart focused on commercial real estate, while Bob remained the champion of the residential market. In the early 1980's, Bob's wife Peg joined the business. Peg and Bob had a huge impact on the Lakes Region real estate market. In 1982 the office was moved to the current location in Center Harbor.

Today, Mary Lamprey Bare has taken over the ownership of the company and she strives to continue the family tradition. In 2012, Mary made the decision to bring her own vision to the company and made significant branding changes to include a new logo and name – Lamprey Real Estate Associates. The Stetson Hat, the trademark of her father Bob, remains a symbol of the strength of their 70 year history.

Mary Lamprey and her associates are proud of their place in the real estate industry of the area and all devoted to providing our customers and clients with all the current tools the industry uses, but always ties in the "good old-fashioned" level of service that is just not found in today's marketplace.