New Businesses – Page 5 – Salem Main Streets

Tenant Applications Being Accepted for Artists’ Row New Season

Jan 092016

Art is where you find it and in Salem Ma from May 19 – Nov. 1, 2016 you will find it on a special strip of land called Artists’ Row (24 New Derby Street). It is special because anyone with artistic skill and zeal can apply for the four available units.

In late 2015 we put a spotlight on several of the creative people at work in Salem’s very own artistic incubator Artists’ Row. The City of Salem is now taking new season applications for tenants with a public site visit and informational meeting set for Saturday, January 9, at 11am (or by appointment). Those interested in participating in the program should arrive at Artists’ Row at that time and date.

Artists’ Row is a seasonal program that provides space for artisans interested in building their audience through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem.

The variety of activities considered for Artists’ Row spaces are to include all types of uniquely produced or crafted products that have appeal to a wide audience. Possible categories are handcrafted products, artwork and artisanal food products.

The City is particularly interested in activities that will contribute to a “lively activated passage that serves as an entryway to one of the central public spaces in downtown Salem.”

All work MUST be created by the individuals participating in the program and must be original handcrafted works or products. Mass produced or manufactured works are not acceptable (sales representatives and agents are not eligible).
All prices for artwork or handcrafted products MUST be visible to the public. Participants are responsible for collecting sales tax.
Selected participants are responsible for transporting all products, support material and equipment to and from the site, and for all installation, display and sales.

For full details on selection criteria, submission requirements, program requirements, license agreements, community engagement/programming, signage, marketing, etc. go to www.salem.com (or as noted above, be there on Saturday at 11am).

Deadline for submission is by (or before) 12pm February 12, 2016. Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Department of Planning & Community Development, Attn: Deborah Greel, City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970. The application form must be completed in its entirety and is available at http://www.salem.com/artists-row.

Does your art speak to you? Do you wish it to speak to others? Consider expressing yourself at Artists’ Row.

New Year’s Eve Destination: Salem’s LAUNCH!

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 272015

Where else but Salem MA could you welcome the New Year while at the same time celebrate the past? And still have time to welcome the New Year again! No, we haven’t started sampling the bubbly stuff yet.

The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our third annual New Year’s Eve party, this Thursday, Dec. 31 from 4 pm to 6 pm at historic Old Town Hall, Derby Square. Let’s repeat the times, 4-6pm. Bring the entire family – yes the kids too, it’s early enough!

“When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time, it was immediately clear that this needed to be an annual tradition where the community could truly come together,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “Plus, there’s still plenty of time after our early countdown to get to your own party, or catch one of the many other great events happening all over town on New Year’s Eve!”

Attendees can ‘rock the night away’ with local musical favorites including The Dejas, BlacKat, and Kevin William, as well as a number of “rising star” teen musicians. There will be New Year’s Eve related activities and crafts for kids of all ages, thanks to event partners The Gathering, The Phoenix School, and Creative Salem.

Kylie adds, “I’ll be honest, this is truly one of my favorite events of the year. We conduct many events which might arguably have a greater impact, but I love that this event is simply about celebrating together as a community. We’re also so lucky to partner with the City of Salem in using Old Town Hall – there’s something lovely and symbolic to me about getting to use this beautiful public building that celebrates the past, and then throw the doors open to the community to welcome the year to come.”

Speaking of Old Town Hall, we’re also still looking for a few helping hands to join us this Thursday, especially for:

Set up (2 to 4pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Craft activity support (4 to 6 pm): Help activity leaders as needed.
FACE PAINTERS (4 to 6 pm): We’re not looking for high levels of artistic talent – ability to paint hearts, stars, and “Happy 2016!” is sufficient. We’ll provide the paint and brushes.
Break down (5:45 to 7pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

This event is free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support the Salem Main Streets “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown, the Holiday Tree, and LAUNCH!

There will be an early countdown promptly at 6 pm.

For more info about New Year’s Eve Salem, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Manager, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

And have a Happy New Year!

Salem Stores Showcase Spirit of the Season

Salem Event, Salem Shopping, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 212015

Many things do we look forward to during the holiday season, and here at Salem Main Streets we are particularly fond of the Holiday Windows promotion we conduct with the cooperation of the merchants in the Downtown District.

Yes, the holidays are here, and Salem is dressed for the season with trees, wreaths, and ribbons. But to top it off, over 35 downtown businesses joined in by decorating their windows especially for the holidays. Judges nominated by Salem Main Streets recently made the rounds to vote on the best windows.

“We had some truly fantastic windows this year, and there was much friendly disagreement and fighting for favorites between the judges,” said Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “Of particular note, we added a category this year for ‘Best Use of Product’ and were happily surprised to see that this became a very competitive category.”

Overall: Pamplemousse

Most Traditional: Re-Find Men’s
Honorable Mention – The House of the Seven Gables Gift Shop

Most Original: SCAM (Salem Collective of Artists and Musicians)
Honorable Mention – Fringe Salon

Best Use of Product: The Coven’s Cottage
Honorable Mention – LightShed Photography

X Factor Awards ( for windows that “defy categorization”) there was a tie : For Kids Only Afterschool (on left), Gulu Gulu Cafe (on right).

Kylie sums it up by saying, “All around, we wish we could have given at least twice as many awards!”

Come to Salem MA, where “window shopping” is an art form!

Vegan Soap to Punk Flags on Sale at Weekend DIY Holiday Market

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Dec 112015

Looking for alternatives and options in gifts for aunt Amber, cousin Dirk, or your new special someone? No need to look high and low; come to Salem Ma this weekend for the 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market. The event will feature local artisanal vendors, indie record labels, and other DIY vendors with products ranging from vegan soap to custom baby tents to punk flags and more.

That’s right. Indie record labels and punk flags. This sounds different & interesting. Almost like a punk rock flea market.

Hosted by Creative Salem and Bridge Nine Records, this event will take place from 11am – 6pm, Saturday, Dec. 12th at The Vault, 217 Essex Street on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. It is a large but intimate setting that is conducive to walking, handling the items for sale and conversing with the creators/vendors.

“We are so happy to bring this alternative market to Downtown Salem this year,” said John Andrews of Creative Salem. “Supporting and providing opportunities to all manners of makers is one of our key missions.”

And this event not only supports the work of local artists, 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market also inspires people to shop local.

A partial list of vendors (always subject to change…) includes:

Tor Johnson Records
Triple B Records
Better Days Recovery Press
Brandon Gorski Illustration
Arrest Records
Deathwish Inc.
Cave Dweller
Hervor Soaps
Amaranth & Rue
Prospect Records
Timber + Twine
Bridge Nine Records
Sully’s Brand
Bats in the Belfry Crafts
Nightwatch Studio
Beantown Collectibles
Witch City Wicks
Tryptic Press
Meghanisms
Witch DR.

For more info on the Witch City DIY Holiday Market go to the Creative Salem website or Facebook page. It is suggested you use hashtag #WitchCityDIY when sharing info or pictures on favorite finds or any positive interactions at the event.

Could this alternative market become THE North of Boston must-attend annual punk rock holiday event, thus adding to the growing reputation of Salem as a winter holiday shopping destination? You’re invited to make it happen.

Salem Holiday Window Contest Has Invitation for You

Contests, History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 052015

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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