News – Page 67 – Salem Main Streets

Community Events Make Salem Perfect Holiday Destination

New Businesses, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping Comments Off

Nov 282014

…And you thought Halloween was busy in Salem. Today and tomorrow we have several events to lead off the winter holiday season in style.

ART MARKET

In search of the perfect, unique little gift that says “I put some extra effort and didn’t just drive to the mall or walk into a giant department store?” Look to Old Town Hall in Derby Square where today (11/28/14) from noon to 9 pm will be an Art Market, courtesy of the Salem Collective of Artists & Musicians, the Salem Arts Association and Marrow.

There you will discover handcrafted items such as paintings, fiber arts, glass, pottery, jewelry and more. These works of art are created by local artists.

But that’s not all, later from 7-11 pm will be a Holiday Dance with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Salem Food Pantry.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

It’s just a tree and some lights. But it is so much more. At approx. 6:15 pm on Nov.28th, Lappin Park becomes the focal point of the city when residents join Mayor Kimberley Driscoll in lighting Salem’s Holiday Tree.

(The Park is the grassy area next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street— directly across from our still standing Haunted Happenings Visitor Info Booth!).

It is a holiday tradition that lights up not only the tree but the eyes of children in the crowds with awe and delight. So bring the entire family out for carols with the Paul Madore Singers; as we expect it to be a bit cool, there will also be available cocoa and snacks!

The event is organized by Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem. This year’s tree is provided in part by a donation from the MeetingHouse Church and numerous donations from Salem’s October visitors. Decorations and lights were made possible by individual contributions and donations from a number of local businesses, including Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast.

Salem Main Streets would additionally like to express appreciation to North Shore Marine and All Star Collision & Towing for their services in delivering the tree, and the Salem Department of Public Works and Gary Gill for decorating the tree.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

And you need to put presents under your own tree (if you do a tree). Can’t find what you need at the Art Market? Black Friday shopping may not help you. We suggest you widen your search zone to all of Salem. We are a small business mecca. Almost every store is owned and operated by a small business operator, not a chain. Salem is where you can walk a block in any direction and find unique items for men, women, children and pets.

Saturday, Nov. 29^th is Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. To encourage Salem residents to “Shop Local First” this holiday season, Mayor Driscoll has announced that parking in Salem will be free on November 29th in both municipal garages and on Washington, Front and Essex Streets. On November 30th all parking will be free, including at all meters, in both municipal garages, and in all municipal surface lots.

You can drive to the malls, park half a football field away from the stores, and once inside feel like you are on a treadmill forced to walk with the flows of the crowds. Or come to Salem, find convenient parking, and walk whatever way you feel to stores or restaurants. It’s your choice. Really, it’s your choice.

Turkey Day Means Still More to Do and See in Salem

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

Nov 272014

Thanksgiving may signal that the year is almost over— but not as far as activities to see and do in Salem Ma! So, as you go about your Turkey Day preparations at home, or on way to grandma’s house (or wherever you are going), here are some ingredients for the rest of the year:

Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday Art Market
Four Centuries of Christmas at the Gables
Christmas in Salem
“A Christmas Carol” Trolley Tour
Santa’s Arrival at the Hawthorne
Small Business Saturday
Salem Winter Market

We’ll be telling you more about these and other events in upcoming blogs. Didn’t want to stuff you with too much… info today.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Warming Up to Downtown Shopping

New Businesses, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Nov 222014

What do the over 100 restaurants, gift shops, other stores and attractions in Salem Ma have in common right now? Besides good bargains and eclectic choices, they have heat! Temperatures today (Saturday) are not expected to rise beyond the upper 30s. So you can sit at home, or go to a cold impersonal mall — or make Salem a one-stop warm & toasty shopping/dining daytrip destination. (This also applies to Sunday, or for that matter any day you would like to visit.)

But don’t take our word for it. Friday’s Salem Gazette had an article and an interview related to downtown shopping.

In the first of two front page stories, the emphasis was on the lengths North Shore communities (including Salem) go during the holiday season to invite and involve the community in local shopping over malls and big-box stores.

Ethan Hartley wrote “…local businesses in Massachusetts can offer something that you will be hard pressed to find under the bleak, florescent lights of a conglomerate store or a shopping mall — old-fashioned holiday cheer and excitement with an emphasis on building a strong community.”

Community is a key word. Salem Main Streets endeavors to work with our downtown merchants to design and promote events which increase business traffic and cement customer support/loyalty. The second article, an interview by Gregg Phipps with our manager Kylie Sullivan points to one of those projects, the Salem Winter Market.

Is the Winter Market successful in bringing people downtown to shop and do you think more and more people are turning away from mall shopping?

“That’s certainly the hope. There are so many great shops in downtown Salem, and we try really hard to ensure that our vendor offerings at the Winter Market complement rather than compete with the surrounding businesses.”

Kylie went on to explain that as much as the Market brings vendors to downtown Salem, it also creates a community gathering space in downtown Salem where residents and visitors from neighboring towns stop to chat with the vendors, other shoppers and even with merchants in surrounding stores.

Shopping need not be impersonal. It can be fun. The Winter Market will be closed this week in light of Thanksgiving but will be open again on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Our stores, restaurants and attractions are open now. And the warmth you feel when you go inside comes from the people, as well as the heating vents.

Salem Ma- Your Destination for Digital Detox

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Nov 182014

While one could say there is always something “magical” going on in Salem Ma, it is especially true on the 3rd Thursday of every month— courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum. The PEM/PM event Digital Detox, scheduled for Nov.20th, is a perfect example.

The public in invited to join in an evening away from the distractions of technology. Yes. Travel back to a simpler, yet more direct time of personally speaking to someone, or writing actual letters. Leave it to our challenge-taking local museum to “push the envelope” and experiment with this old-fashioned concept.

PEM/PM is an unconventional gathering feature cocktails and conversation, art making and music, culinary demonstrations and surprising experiences. Members and Salem residents (with ID) are admitted free of charge, while nonmembers pay a nominal $10 fee. The event runs after hours from 6-9pm

(Also on the third Thursday of every month, the entire museum stays open from 10 am to 9 pm.)

Doneeca Thurston, new PEM Adult Programs Coordinator, explains the rationale behind Digital Detox, “the inspiration draws from our permanent collection. A lot of our newer exhibits have digital components whether its music, interactives, or visuals, which has been really fantastic. While its great to incorporate technology and reach our audiences in new and exciting ways, we realize that there is still something very special about walking into one of our permanent galleries and just taking in all of classic artwork and sculpture.”

She adds, “So this event is an invitation to power down and enjoy the evening engaging in the art of conversation, writing a heartfelt letter to a friend or loved one, or ease your mind with a peaceful meditation session.”

OPEN MUSIC SESSION in the Atrium
Join in on this impromptu jam session led by The Dejas. Everyone is welcome.

LETTER WRITING in the Atrium
A long forgotten practice, letter writing. Pen a note for a special someone, PEM will provide the stamps.

NAPTIME in the Atrium
Let your phone get some much needed rest. As an incentive, PEM is even handing out specially designed sleeping bags, for your phone that is!

LIKE in the Atrium
Now you can “like” someone in person. PEM staff will be handing out thumbs-up stickers by the info desk. “Like” a friend or stranger- be sure to say what you like about them.

SELFIE in Studio 1, Create Space
Students from Montserrat will be on hand to help you capture the perfect selfie. Stop by the Create Space to have one of these talented artists draw your portrait.

ART-MAKING in Studio 1, Create Space
Create your own vinyl record art. Paint, bedazzle, draw, the possibilities are endless.

VINYL RECORDS in the Atrium
Spin some vinyl records, courtesy of Salem’s own Hoofbeat Records

ART OF CONVERSATION at Pop-up’s throughout the galleries
Salem State University’s Philosophy Club brings interesting conversation to PEM. Join in on the conversations at several pop-up’s throughout the galleries.

7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30pm
MEDITATION in the Indian Gallery, 2nd floor
Certified Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor, Susan Himml, will lead 20 minute meditation sessions. Sign-up at the information desk.

As the nights get cooler, this sounds like a very warm & toasty, friendly & comforting event. There will also be a cash bar and special small plate menu items from the Hawthorne Hotel. For more info, call the PEM at 978-745-9500, (or toll free 866-745-1876). The Peabody Essex Museum is located on East India Square (161 Essex St.) Salem.

Salem Makes Top 20 List of ‘Hot’ Mass. Communities

Salem Event 2 Responses »

Nov 162014

You may have missed this item this week, so it bears repeating: WCVB in Boston reported on a survey by numbers-crunching company NerdWallet that puts a bright spotlight on Salem and neighboring communities.

Granted, it’s our job at Salem Main Streets to say how great downtown Salem is as an entertainment, dining, and daytrip destination. Same rationale applies to Destination Salem and other local groups dedicated to promoting Salem to the masses. So, it is nice when someone else says it, and with tons of statistics.

According to WCVB “NerdWallet crunched the numbers for the 61 communities in Massachusetts with more than 20,000 residents to find those demonstrating growth in jobs, income and population. The most recent data — from 2009 to 2012 — was used.”

Here are some cities and towns in our area:

#50 Gloucester
#49 Danvers
#45 Boston
#40 Peabody
#32 Marblehead
#15 Beverly
#14 Lynn

And in 13th place (where else would the Witch City be?) is Salem. We are in the Top 20; almost the top 10. All this goes to say that besides being a nice place to visit, Salem is a good place in which to live, and getting better. Thanks NerdWallet for sharing!

(For the curious, 1st place was awarded to Westfield Ma.)

Image courtesy of Pong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Older Entries Newer Entries