To all of you,
residents,
neighbors
and visitors,
From all of us at
Salem Main Streets,
we wish you
Happy Holidays!
Dec 242016
Anthony
Dec 192016
Dressed for the season with trees, wreaths, and ribbons, Salem is ready for the Holiday Season. In fact, over 20 downtown businesses have decorated their windows especially for the holidays as part of our traditional Holiday Window Contest. Judges nominated by Salem Main Streets recently did a little window shopping of their own to vote on the best windows.
“We had some truly fantastic windows this year, as always,” said Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “We gave the judges extra freedom to create new award categories based on what they saw this particular year.”
Some award categories highlight good retail design – use of product or use of light – while others highlighted types of participation or partnerships.
For example, the Contest Legacy award was given to businesses who have demonstrated high quality windows across consecutive years, while the Contest Newcomer recognized businesses with high quality displays who have not regularly participated in the contest.
And, the new Salem Spirit award recognized those who exemplified the true spirit of community in the design of their windows.
Without further ado, here are the winners:
Best Overall: The Happy Sunflower
Best Use of Product: Curtsy
Honorable Mention – Partridge in the Bear Tree
Best Use of Lighting: Emporium 32
Honorable Mention – Hair Express
Contest Legacy (demonstrating high quality year after year): ReFind Men’s
Honorable Mention – Pamplemousse
Contest Newcomer: Aroma Sanctum
Honorable Mention – Witch Pix
Salem Spirit: The Coven’s Cottage, nAGLY
If you haven’t looked at the windows yet, we recommend going this week, especially during Festive Fridays, when numerous businesses around the downtown have committed to staying open until 8 pm to aid in your holiday shopping. More information about Festive Fridays and participating businesses can be found at this location.
In addition, this year, you get a chance to win! Salem Main Streets is holding two social media competitions on Facebook and Instagram right now. Post a picture of your favorite #salemholidaywindows, or take a #selfiewithashopkeeper on Festive Friday nights, and you could win a prize from a local business.
For more information about the Holiday Window Contest, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Dec 152016
Not one, but two winter holiday markets take place this weekend in Salem and they are easily within walking distance of each other so you can see it all and bring home the best in crafts and foods.
Salem Winter Market
Salem Main Streets is pleased to announce the return of the Salem Winter Market!! A seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year’s final Salem Winter Market will take place Saturday, December 17th, from 1-5 pm inside the Museum Place Mall (1 Church Street).
“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to support local farms and artisans through the holiday season, and is a chance to find some truly unique holiday gifts,” states Kylie Sullivan, executive director of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market.
“We’re also very excited to showcase our vendors in the Museum Place Mall this year, where we can complement and highlight the variety of great year-round tenants in the mall.”
A diversity of local vendors will be present at the Salem Winter Market this season. Patrons can expect to find an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including locally-caught lobster, dried fruit and nuts, chowder, baked goods (including vegan and dairy-free options), wreaths, handmade soaps, spices, honey, pickles, gourmet ravioli, almond butter, eggs, jewelry, and various produce.
In addition, both Santa and The Grinch will be stopping by throughout this Saturday’s event to spread cheer and grumpiness (respectively).
The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets, thanks to the support of the City of Salem and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers. For further information regarding current vendors and Winter Market updates, refer to the Market’s website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, or contact Kylie Sullivan directly.
Salem Holiday Market
But that’s not all folks. You say you want more? Look no farther than across the road to Old Town Hall. Where you will discover this weekend The Salem Holiday Market! This has become a much-anticipated annual indie craft show, featuring over 90 of the best local and regional designers and artists from all over New England.
The Salem Holiday Market will be presented by New England Open Markets, from noon-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 17th and 18th.
For a look at the vendors’ list and pictures of their wares, check out their website.
Kylie adds, “We were so thrilled with the success of our November market where we saw over 1,600 visitors! Between the diversity of market vendors and the mall tenants, this December’s market will most definitely have something for everyone on your list.”
Then mix in the Salem Holiday Market and no matter the weather this weekend, you have a real good chance at a very rewarding walk or drive to Salem. You definitely will come away with your hands full of good bargains, good food, and good gifts!
Dec 072016
What can you learn during a Christmas house tour? How people lived, dressed, ate and celebrated Christmas over the centuries? That is interesting enough — but how about that Christmas was banned in Salem and throughout Massachusetts Bay Colony for nearly two centuries! So, as fascinating as the history of the Salem Witchcraft trials are to read and believe, the tale of Christmas being banned here is equally strange and you can learn more about that during the ongoing Christmas Tours at the House of Seven Gables!
(You can also read up on the reasons for the ban at the History of Massachusetts blog)
The daily tours (10am-5pm now thru Dec. 31st) will lead you from room to room in the house, which will of course be beautifully adorned with traditional holiday decor. You will see how life changed for the various occupants over the centuries, drawn against the backdrop of the winter holiday season.
The important revelation for many attendees will be that you are being given the opportunity, at The House of the Seven Gables mansion, to walk the halls of a house that has stood the test of time and to witness the changing nature of Christmas in New England.
And no matter which day and time you take the tour, mark your calendar for the accompanying Home for the Holidays event this Sunday from 2-4pm. Consider it a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and enjoy live music, family activities, and festive decor at this National Historic Landmark museum campus.
Activities planned include:
- Free “Christmas over Four Centuries” historic mansion tours
- Holiday crafts that celebrate the spirit of founder Caroline Emmerton
- Hands-on history at the Living History Lab
- Live music with pianist Mark West and Phoenix Music
- Viewing of the unique Settlement Tree and handmade ornaments
- Festive shopping in the Museum Store
- Deals on gift memberships
The House of Seven Gables is located at 115 Derby Street, Salem Ma. Christmas tours are included with admission. For more information about Holidays at The Gables, or for any other questions about The House of the Seven Gables, please contact rconary@7gables.org, or call 978-744-0991 x104.
Dec 012016
For the sake of argument, let’s say that neither Black Friday, nor Small Business Saturday nor
Cyber Monday were sufficient enough to meet your shopping needs for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries that fall in December. What else can you do?. How about a visit or two to Salem during our Festive Fridays celebration, which begins Dec. 2nd.
Explains Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets executive director, “Salem Main Streets knows how it is. You WANT to shop local, but you get home from work too late in the evenings and you’re simply too busy on the weekends. That’s why Salem Main Streets is encouraging downtown retailers to stay open late every Friday this December leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah to help you with your holiday shopping!”
Which stores will be open during Festive Fridays? Glad you asked that.
Each week on Facebook, we’ll post a list of businesses who have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm, as well as announcing any great deals or special treats that you can look forward to.
As an extra incentive for you to shop & participate, Kylie adds, “If you post a #selfiewithashopkeeper any Friday evening in December on Facebook or Instagram, you could win a prize from a local business!”
So, after a long Friday to end a long work week, do you want to then drive to the mall, find a parking spot, walk across the parking lot to enter a packed mall only to be jostled by other tired, unhappy shoppers unable to find that unique gift for aunt Ellen, cousin Eddie or the boss?
Or do you want to stroll along our walkable streets to sample from an eclectic bunch of stores that are staying open later because they genuinely want your business and that of anyone you recommend their products or services to?
For additional information relating to any of these events, please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/salem-festive-fridays/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook and Twitter.