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Festive Fridays in Salem for Your Holiday Shopping Needs

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 012017

How much do you plan to spend on holiday gifts in 2017? The average for shoppers around the USA is approx. $983 according to the American Research Group, Inc which has been polling people every year since 1985. Nearly $1000 for the kids, spouse, family and friends. And if Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday and Cyber Monday didn’t empty your wallet or fill all the stockings, then consider Festive Fridays in Salem.

Festive Fridays is an effort to make shopping work a little better on your schedule as many of our stores will be staying open later on Friday nights. No need to rush to crowded malls. No need to fight for a parking space that will leave you with a 5 minute+ walk from the parking lot to the building.

And where else but in Salem can you find an eclectic array of stores and eateries from which to purchase products, services or just plain gift cards?

Salem Main Streets is encouraging downtown retailers to stay open late every Friday this December leading up to Christmas to help you with your holiday shopping! Each week, we’ll post a list of businesses that have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm, as well as any great deals or special treats that you can look forward to.

Take a #selfiewithashopkeeper and you could win free parking via the Passport parking app!

This week’s participating businesses include:
– The Artists’ Row – Salem, MA tenants – Grace & Diggs, Hervor Soaps, Ceramics by Sibel, Boston Woodturning, ZBY Gallery, and The Lobster Shanty
– A Sacred Place Wellness Center
– Coon’s Card & Gift Shop
– The Coven’s Cottage
– FreakyElegant
– The Happy Sunflower
– Laura Lanes Skin Care
– Mark Your Spot Salem
– Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
– Moody Interiors
– Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
– Partridge in a Bear Tree Salem
– RJ Coins and Jewelry
– Salemdipity
– Trolley Depot
– Wicked Good Books
– Witch City Wicks
– Witch Pix
– Ye Olde Pepper Companie

We will update with more as participants are confirmed! We will also keep a light on for you!

Salem Wants Your Reactions to Recent “Haunted Happenings” Halloween Celebration

Haunted Happenings, History, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping 1 Response »

Nov 262017

Everybody has an opinion although sometimes people don’t want to hear yours. But we do when it comes to reactions, comments, criticism, and suggestions about Haunted Happenings in Salem Ma.

Gone but not forgotten, our month-long celebration of Halloween (and all things spooky) doesn’t just happen by itself. It takes a lot of planning by a lot of people, groups, merchants and attractions.

To that end, the city of Salem has scheduled an “after action” review of Halloween 2017 for this Thursday, Nov. 30 from 5-6pm at the Salem Five Community Room, 210 Essex Street.

Everyone is welcome: tourists, business owners and most especially residents! We want you to share feedback with Mayor Kim Driscoll, and city officials in the public safety, traffic & parking, and public works departments.

What did you like, what worked well, and what did not work well for you this past October? Parking? Traffic patterns? Noise?

If you are unable to attend, the Mayor’s team still wants to hear from you. Submit feedback to mayor@salem.com or write to Office of Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, Salem City Hall, 93 Washington Street, Salem Ma 01970.

Thousands of people flood our community every weekend during October. They generate a significant amount of revenue for merchants and attractions. But unintentionally visitors also impact the lives of residents. This is your chance to help Haunted Happenings continue to be an event that serves the needs of all of Salem.

With Over 200 Local Storefronts, Salem Captures Spirit of Small Business Saturday

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Nov 242017

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the day that small businesses in Salem and all along Main Street USA really look forward to: Small Business Saturday. First observed in the United States on November 27, 2010, it is a day when communities of shoppers are urged to support the convenience of driving or even walking to their local brick & mortar businesses, instead of fighting the crowds at faraway over-crowded malls.

That kick-off Small Business Saturday was sponsored by American Express, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Roslindale Village Main Street. Since then it has grown into a nationwide event, with an estimated 112 million consumers reported to have shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2016.

Shopping Local Is An Experience

“Small Business Saturday is so great,” explains Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets, “because it’s not just about the shopping or the things – though with over 200 locally-operated storefronts in downtown Salem, there’s certainly no shortage of gifts and treats to be found! Instead it’s more about the experience of being part of a community, the feeling you get when you’re in a locally-owned business that simply can’t be replicated in a box store or online.”

You can walk into a locally-owned Salem store and actually speak to a clerk with product knowledge of items in the store. Or just as likely, you can chat with the store owner! Ever talk to the owner or even manager of a big box store (unless to complain)?

Adds Elizabeth Rutledge, EVP of Global Advertising and Media at American Express, “People across the country are aware of the benefits that small businesses can bring to the community, and the momentum that was started with the first Small Business Saturday continues to build.”

That is backed up by the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express. Among U.S. consumers who went out and shopped in-store, total reported spending reached an estimated $15.4 billion at independent retailers and restaurants in 2016.

You will be in good company.

So, a word to the wise, relax on Friday and Monday. And make Saturday your day for walking out of Salem stores with good deals for your holiday and other gift giving needs!

Salem Welcomes the Holidays with Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Nov 212017

When you think of the Holiday season, what comes to mind is snow, Santa, and a tree. While we can’t provide snow, Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem invite you to join our community this Friday, Nov. 24th as we celebrate two of our most beloved annual traditions – Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree

Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. with some special assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. Organizers recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Bring the whole family out for carols, festivities, and fun!

Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street), where we will join Santa and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for the Holiday Tree Lighting. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns (store-bought or homemade) to carry in the procession. Safety first, though – electric candles are highly recommended!

“Ever since we combined these two events in 2015, the evening has really taken on a whole new life of its own,” says Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets. “It has truly become the community’s way of welcoming in the holidays together.”

Salem Main Streets is thrilled to welcome the North Shore’s own Angie Miller home for the holidays, as she will lead several holiday songs for the Tree Lighting at Lappin Park. A previous finalist on American Idol, Miller moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue her dream of being a musician and now enjoys a successful career under the artist name, Zealyn.

Photo Credit – Jack Robert Photography

We took a few minutes to catch up with her career. “There were many good things that came from being on American Idol, but at the same time there were a lot of negative things,” says Miller. “Because of that, I made the decision to start over, rebrand, and release new music under an artist name. Ever since switching to Zealyn, so many more doors have opened, and some really great opportunities have come about – ones that I never would have had a chance to experience before.”

On joining the Tree Lighting this year, Miller says, “I love any opportunity to come back to the North Shore and spend time with my family. I am really looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with everyone in Salem!” (You can stay up to date with Angie’s music career by following ZEALYN on social media and listen to her debut EP, Limbic System, on any streaming platform.

Salem Main Streets would also like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, Gigi Gill, Remix Church, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.

This year’s tree was graciously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Francis of Salem in memory of their late son Joseph R. Ingemi III, who always loved the beautiful blue spruce that grew right next to their house. The tree was secured and decorated by the City of Salem Tree Department, with assistance from Mayer Tree Service and Spencer Contracting with transportation and installation. Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible by individual contributions and donations from a number of local businesses, including significant donations from Salem’s October visitors via Gigi Gill. The tree topper was created by Salem artist Scott Froeschl.

For more information about any of these events, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/santa-arrives-in-salem/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook and Twitter.

Cornucopia of Delights for Your Thanksgiving Table at Salem Winter Market

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Nov 142017

Whether you are again cooking the Turkey bird yourself, or buying a pre-cooked one from a grocery store, or just going to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, we’ve got a suggestion on how to make it a fresh experience. The Salem Winter Market takes place this Saturday, Nov. 18th from 1-5pm at the Witch City Mall (formerly the Museum Place Mall, 1 Church Street) featuring seasonal produce from local farmers. Make the side dishes and the rest of the table stand out!

In fact, a diversity of local vendors will be present at the Winter Market this season. Patrons can expect to find an assortment of foods and artisan crafts including seasonal produce, pasture-raised poultry, locally-caught lobster, baked goods, wreaths, handmade soaps, honey, pickles, gourmet ravioli, and artisan chocolates.

“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 Mall again this year, where we can complement and highlight the variety of great year-round tenants in the mall.”

The Salem Winter Market is a seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18th and Saturday, December 16th, both from 1 pm to 5 pm.

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, Creative 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 at 978/744-0004 x115.

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