Dec 172015
 

Good news and bad news. We’ve got a Salem Winter Market scheduled for Saturday Dec. 19th from 1-5pm at 217 Essex Street. Bad news is that it is the last market of the season.

WM2

Fresh home grown & produced items await your delight. Stock up with some great main course and accessory food for your holiday table. Support local farmers. And have fun. What more could you ask for on a Saturday before Christmas. Oh yes, Santa.

A little elf told us “Santa will be there sometime between 2 to 4pm.” Apparently the big guy has a lot on his plate to pin him down (get it, plate, food, Winter Market…).

It has been an interesting experiment to hold two special Winter Markets instead of the traditional multi-week Winter Farmers’ Market after the Halloween break.

“Our November market exceeded all our expectations,” reflects Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets, Executive Director. “We were so pleased with the number of shoppers, the quality of the vendors, and how much activity it added to the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.”

WM3“At these markets, you can actually talk to the people who’ve made the lotion, who’ve raised the chickens, who’ve stitched the clothes. You see your neighbors, catch up with long-lost friends, and say hi to a chef from one of our wonderful downtown restaurants as they shop for ingredients for that night’s menu. There’s so much added value when you shop at local markets like ours.”

She adds, “We’re also so thankful to Advanced Realty Management for the use of this beautiful space. We love being able to use it for this event, but we also hope that it helps people imagine how the space could be used and help us fill the current vacancy.”

So, while you’re looking at the goods, talking to the vendors and having some holiday shopping fun not being pushed around like at the mall or big box store, keep an open mind for others uses of the space at 217 Essex. It’ll be your gift to the community.

The Salem Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are organized by Salem Main Streets with assistance from Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, and the City of Salem, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and numerous 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 x15.

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Dec 172015
 

WassailA party during the holidays is one thing, but a feast, well that is something special. And something special is what the Salem community gets every 3rd Thursday of the month from the Peabody Essex Museum with its extended after-hours PEM/PM celebration. This Thursday from 6-9pm: Wassail!, a midwinter feast, which celebrates light in the darkest part of the year.  Attendees are invited to sample festive beverages and foods, decorate a yule log, enjoy traditional Scandinavian crafts, and drive out the darkness with music and dance.

But, there is an extra special aspect for us this time. Not that you really needed another reason to attend Wassail! but we at Salem Main Streets are so grateful that PEM/PM has chosen our director Kylie Sullivan to be the person of honor for their Boar’s Head Carol procession! (They must have known she’s a sucker for all old English Christmas traditions).

Kylie headshotOur friends at Creative Salem had this to say, “We would love to get a big group to show up and help us celebrate the final PEM PM of the year and Miss Kylie!”

We agree. Let’s party! Wassail will run from 6-9pm, Thursday Dec. 17th.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

6-9 pm – Art Making in Studio 1, Create Space
Create traditional Scandinavian Yule crafts, including paper garlands and paper hearts.

Festive Fare in the Atrium
Taste inventive yet classic small plates prepared by PEM Chef Rhiannon Nowak.

Live Music in the Atrium
Enjoy festive folk tunes by the Clearwater Quintet.

Yule Log Decorating in the Atrium
Join in the holiday spirit by helping us decorate our very own PEM/PM yule log.

6-8 pm – Mead Tasting in the Atrium
In the medieval spirit, sample some of the House Bear Brewing award-winning meads. Sample tickets available at the table. Looking for something a little more traditional? Try our wassail at the bar!

6:30 and 7:30 pm – Viking Legends in the Bartlett Gallery
Local storyteller Odds Bodkin shares popular legends and tales of the Vikings.

6:45 and 7:45 pm – Morris Dancing in the Atrium
Watch the Newtowne Morris Men perform energetic traditional Morris dances from the rustic Cotswalds of England.

7 and 8 pm – Sword Dancing in the Atrium
Enjoy the intricate figures of Still River Sword performing traditional English Longsword dances.

7:30 pm – Boar’s Head Carol  in the Atrium
Participate in this English and Scandinavian tradition. Carol will be followed by a group wassailing with carols available at the PEM/PM Welcome Table. And this is where our Kylie comes in.

Any excuse to party during the holiday season, we will be there, will you?

Members and Salem residents (with ID) may attend free of charge, while nonmembers pay $10 at the door.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex St, Salem. For more info go to http://www.pem.org/ or call 978-745-9500.

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Dec 052015
 
Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Picture taking is an activity that so many more people do these days, especially on their cell phones, that we have added another dimension to our annual Holiday Window Contest which encourages Salem merchants to decorate their storefront windows with images of the season.

Now everyone wins during the Holiday Window Contest! Share YOUR pictures of your favorite holiday windows on Instagram or on our Facebook page with ‪#‎salemholidaywindows‬ – we’ll pick 5 winners between today and Christmas to get a small prize from a local business! (Hint: your chances improve if it’s a window that’s officially competing!).

Holiday Window Participants

Cabot Wealth Management – 216 Essex Street
CinemaSalem – Museum Place Mall
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique – 226 Essex Street
The Coven’s Cottage – 190 Essex Street
Derby Joe – 142 Derby Street
Flying Saucer Pizza Company – 118 Washington Street
For Kids Only Afterschool – 194 Essex Street
Fringe Salon – 73 Wharf Street
Gulu Gulu Café – 247 Essex Street
The Happy Sunflower – 78 Wharf Street
Hedrington’s – 61 Wharf Street
The House of Seven Gables – 115 Derby Street
J. Mode – 17 Front Street
Kan.del –Museum Place Mall
Laura Lanes Skin Care – 242 Essex Street
LightShed Photography – 79 Washington Street
Melita Fiore – 83 Washington Street
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments – 3 Central Street
The New England Dog Biscuit Company – 7 Central Street
Opus – 87 Washington Street
Pamplemousse – 185-189 Essex Street
Re-find – 72 Washington Street
Re-find Men’s – 244 Essex Street
RJ Coins & Jewelry – 68 Wharf Street
Roost & Company – 40 Front Street
Rouge Cosmetics – 322 Derby Street
Salem Arts Association – 179 Essex St
Salem Collective of Artists & Musicians – 179 Essex St
Salemdipity – 86 Wharf Street
Silver Moon Comics & Collectibles–Museum Place Mall
Tibet Arts & Healing – 230 Essex Street
Trolley Depot – 191 Essex Street
Turtle Alley Chocolates – 177 Essex Street
Village Silversmith – 186 Essex Street
Witch City Consignment & Thrift – 301 Essex Street
Witch Tee’s –173 Essex Street

From a downtown holiday tree in Lappin Park to evergreen wreaths with candy cane lamp posts, Salem is dressed for the season and welcomes you. Come, take part in our window contest as you do your holiday shopping.

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Dec 032015
 

We know 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. There is so much to see and do in Salem what with plays, movies, music and other entertainment so readily available.

So… 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!

And we’re calling it  Festive Friday Nights!

Each week on our Facebook page and Twitter account, we’ll post businesses that have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm — as well as any great deals or special treats being offered!

But that’s not all!!! We’ve got a great list right now of retailers who’ve already made the commitment to stay open till at least 8 pm for this week’s Festive Fridays! (Thank you very much!)  Stay tuned for more related activities.

The Boutique
Caramel French Patisserie
Clever Diva
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique
The Coven’s Cottage
Enchanted Shop
The H
Festive Fridaysappy Sunflower
Harrison’s Comics
Hedrington’s
Kan.del
Lady Irene and Company
Laura Lanes Skin Care
Melita Fiore
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
Mud Puddle Toys
Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
Pamplemousse Salem
Partridge in a Bear Tree Salem
RJ Coins and Jewelry
Roost & Company
Salem Arts Center
Salem Cycle
Salemdipity
SalemSpice
Trolley Depot
Village Silversmith
Wicked Good Books

Merchants with services, products or retail establishments that wish to join the Festive Friday party should contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org .

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Nov 272015
 

Small BizLSandwiched between Black Friday on 11/27 and Cyber Monday on 11/30 is a key day for merchants and consumers in Salem and many towns along the North Shore— Small Business Saturday on 11/28.

For one day a year, an extra spotlight is focused on merchants along the main streets of America to entice customers to check out the products and services available. So there is no confusion, Small Businesses on Washington Street, Front Street, Essex Street, etc. will not live or die by the traffic on Saturday. There is more at stake than just revenue.

It is a day for you, as a customer, to not just window shop but take a few minutes to actually walk through stores and peruse the inventory. Familiarize yourself for future references & shopping.

Many stores on Small Business Saturday will be offering sales, discounts, give-a ways and other “value” offers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c9Ouvd0FTc

It is even more so a day for owners to take the extra time to connect with their customers. Inspire you to emotionally invest in an owner’s dream for the business. This is something big box stores can’t do.

Stop in and discuss:

  • The latest releases with Larry at Harrison’s Comics & Collectibles
  • The finer points of croissants with Melita at Melita Fiore
  • Which type of yarn you should use with Ana at Circle of Stitches
  • The right equipment for your bike with Dan at Salem Cycle
  • The perfect holiday party dress with Erica at Ocean Chic Boutique
  • Which bestseller you should read next with Denise and Taylor at Wicked Good Books
  • “Why is your coffee ice cream so darn good?” with Christiana at The Salem Screamery
  • ….the list goes on and on and on!

Connect with the people behind the businesses in your community. They are a part of your community, not just a piece of real estate that is open from 10am to 7pm. Perhaps this is also what Small Business Saturday is all about. Find out for yourself.

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