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.

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 .

Nov 292015
 

Christmas is a time for giving, a time when Salem shares with visitors & the community-at-large the gift of a very special holiday house tour that, much like the gift that keeps on giving, is much more than a house tour.

Christmas in Salem, thought to be the nation’s longest running holiday house tour, invites visitors to tour not one, not two, but 12 homes spanning a variety of histories and architectural styles in Salem’s historic McIntire District from December 4 – 6. These homes, beautifully decorated for the holiday season, are inspired by a 12 Days of Christmas theme.

Now in its 36th year, Christmas in Salem, produced by Historic Salem Inc., is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the region’s most storied cities. Tour goers are encouraged to enjoy everything the city has to offer, including local restaurants and shops during the holiday season.

Additionally, a complimentary trolley takes visitors from downtown parking locations to the tour route, providing historical information and a festive ride that will get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Christmas in SalemThe Preview Candlelight Tour (for advance ticket holders only) will be held on Friday, December 4th from 5:30 – 8:30pm and will feature selected homes. On Saturday, December 5th from 10:30am – 4:30pm and Sunday, December 6th from 11:30am – 4:30pm, all sites will be open for tours.

Prices are $25 each for Historic Salem, Inc. members and $30 each for the general public. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting ChristmasinSalem.org or by calling Historic Salem, Inc. at 978-745-0799. Deadline for advance ticket sales is December 2nd at 5pm.

Tickets for the house tours can also be purchased at First Unitarian Church of Salem at 316 Essex Street, on December 5th and 6th for $35 each.

There are a couple of requests to take note of:

  • Out of courtesy to homeowners and their historic floors, please do not wear high heels.
  • Please do not bring children younger than six unless carried in a Snugli.
  • Food and drink are not allowed in any of the homes.
  • Photography of any kind is not permitted without express, written consent of Historic Salem, Inc.

Christmas in Salem is presented by Historic Salem, Inc. an advocacy group dedicated to preserving Salem’s historic resources and educating the community to their value. The historic house tour and other fundraising efforts of Historic Salem, Inc. are the primary source of funds for the restoration of the National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Bowditch House.

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.

Nov 232015
 

There's SantaTake a break from your holiday shopping this Friday to join friends & neighbors in the community of Salem as we celebrate two traditions: Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree.

This year, though, Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem have combined these two separate activities into one flowing event to maximize the fun factor for children and adults.

And with the projected weather forecast calling for partly cloudy skies with a high of 60 and a low of 47, we expect a good sized crowd!

Santa Claus will arrive on the roof of the Hawthorne Hotel (located at 18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6pm, then with assistance from the Salem Fire Department will be brought to street level where he will lead a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex & Washington streets).

Holiday Tree 031From there we invite you to join Santa and Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for the Holiday Tree Lighting.

Bring the entire family out for carols, festivities, and fun!

Salem Main Streets would like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, MeetingHouse Church, North Shore Marine, All Star Collision & Towing, the Salem Common Neighborhood Association, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.

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.

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.