Salem Shopping – Page 11 – Salem Main Streets

Summer is Near, and the Salem Farmers’ Market is Here

Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Jun 052016

Get ready to fill the cupboards, shelves and refrigerator with the best of the best of fresh, nutritious and diverse foods that local farmers can produce as the Salem Ma Farmers’ Market returns this Thursday, June 9^th.

A who’s who of local farms will help kick off the 8th season in Derby Square, along with music and pop up booths from community organizations. (Vendors with a red asterisk* will be here every other week)

FARMS

Clark Farm In the Hobart/Clark family since 1728, Clark Farm is one of America’s Founding Farms. Out of Danvers. website | facebook

Gibney Gardens One of our many awesome farms. Out of Danvers.

Grant Family Farm Produces vegetables, cut flowers, and eggs. Out of Essex. website | facebook

Heavens Harvest Farm A 17 year and counting Organic Farm, certified by Baystate Organic Certifiers. Out of New Braintree. website | facebook

Long Hill Orchard Growing since 1896. Out of West Newbury. website | facebook

Maitland Mountain Farm An Urban Small-Plot Farm (with pickles). Out of Salem. website | facebook

Wally’s Vegetables One of our many awesome farms. Out of Haverill.

SEAFOOD

A&J Lobsters Lobster. Out of Danvers.

Rowand’s Fisheries Serving the Northshore with fresh seafood since 1959. Out of Beverly. website | facebook

BREAD

When Pigs Fly Many kinds of bread. Out of York, ME.

PASTA

Valicenti Pasta Farm Fresh pasta, seasonal ravioli & farmstead sauces made with ingredients grown on the Farm and sourced in New England. Out of Hollis, NH. website | facebook

CHOWDERS

Fishwives (Mandy’s Wicked Chowdah) All Natural – Gluten Free Chowders & Bisques. Out of Marblehead. website | facebook

SAVORIES & SWEETS

Auntie Elsie Oatmeal Crisps* A modern take on the classic oatmeal cookies, a handcrafted premium crisp. Out of Belchertown. website | facebook

Grammy’s Bakery Baked goods (cheesecake, cupcakes, and a variety of cookies.) Out of Salem.

Honey Pot Maple Farm* A Massachusetts producer of Honey and Maple Syrup and Maple products. Out of Wilmington. website | facebook

Jodi Bee Bakes A vegetarian bakery & café that specializes in all-natural pastries and savory items, including several vegan and gluten-free selections. Out of Salem. website | facebook

La Creperie Sweet and Savory Crêpes made to order. Out of Beverly. facebook

Powerhouse Juice An all natural juice bar offering cold pressed juice, smoothies. Out of Lowell. website | facebook

PREPARED FOODS

All Fruit Inc* Dried fruit and nut mixes. Out of Salem. website | facebook

Cauldron Fermented Foods Fermented foods: Black and White Sauerkraut, Firecracker Carrots, Dilly Green Beans. Out of Boston. website | facebook

Milk and Honey Cheeses and meats. Out of Salem. website | facebook

TEAS, HERBS, SPICES

Salem Spice Spices and spice blends. Out of Salem. website | facebook

WINES & HARD CIDERS

1634 Meadery* Honey-wines made from local ingredients and specialty meads from varietal honeys. Out of Ipswich. website | facebook

Far From The Tree Cider Making small batch craft hard cider. Out of Salem. website | facebook

Mill River Winery Wine. Out of Rowley. website | facebook

JEWELRY

Heritage Handmade Handcrafted Items made by artists with disabilities, Primarily Jewelry. Out of Peabody. website | facebook

BED, BATH & HOME PRODUCTS

Bare Cheek Beauty* Handcrafted natural skincare products. Out of Gloucester. website | facebook

Just Herbals* Herbal Teas (Locally grown), Fine Cider, Elderberry Syrup, Herbal Body Care Products, Medicinal Herb Starts. Out of Ipswich. website | facebook

Salem Soapworks Handmade goat’s milk soaps, bath and body products. Out of Salem. website | facebook

SNAP/EBT CARD

And being on a tight budget is no excuse to not eat healthy if you want to. The Salem Farmers’ Market also accepts the SNAP/EBT card.

Just head over to the designated Farmers’ Market table (located off Front St, on the Lobster Shanty side). Ask for the Market Manager. Select how much you wish to spend using your SNAP/EBT card and he will give you tokens valued at $1, $2, or $5. Then shop using the tokens as cash. Certain restrictions apply. Information provided at the table.

The 2016 Edition of the Salem Ma Farmers’ Market is made possible by Salem Main Streets, City of Salem, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Five, and Endless Energy.

Be there this Thursday from 3-7pm. Over 2000 people shopped last season at our Farmers’ Market. Join the crowd!

8th Annual Salem Arts Festival To Feature Over 80 Artists & Performers

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

Jun 022016

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As Arts Festivals go, we think ours is a big deal. So much so that the Salem Arts Festival is not a one day experience but a 3-day extravaganza of culture, June 3-5th. What else would you call the intersection of over 80 artists and performers with a variety of art, music, dance, and theatre performances. The family-friendly festival also includes art-making for all ages, artisan vendors selling their creations, and a temporary public art installation.

And yes, something this big can’t be housed in one spot.

The Salem Arts Festival is spread out at a variety of venues in downtown Salem, with the primary focus on Old Town Hall, Derby Square, Front Street, and Artists’ Row. A Juried Art Show will be held in Old Town Hall throughout the festival, with an artisan street fair in the area around the building on Saturday and Sunday. Live performances this year will mostly be held outside (weather permitting) on Derby Square and Artists’ Row. The event is rain or shine, with a rain location for performances held upstairs at Old Town Hall and at 217 Essex Street (formerly “The Gathering”).

Full schedule and programs will be available on site during the festival, as well as the Festival website.

“I’m probably prouder of this event than any other Salem Main Streets initiative, because there’s been such tremendous collaboration between so many local groups and individuals to continue to improve and expand the festival every year. I can’t wait to share the phenomenal energy and talent that will be on display this year,” says Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets (SMS), the community non-profit organization which started the Festival.

The Salem Arts Festival kicks off with an opening reception at Salem’s Old Town Hall on Friday, June 3rd at 6pm. The free event allows visitors to enjoy beautiful art work while being entertained by renowned local and regional performers North Shore Chamber Music, Gretchen and the Pickpockets, Siren of the Circle, and headliners Picante Soul.

In addition this year, Friday night will also serve as the grant reception for the Salem Cultural Council’s FY16 grantees.

One of the most anticipated events this year is “Move With Me”, a collaborative public art project led by artist and architect Claudia Paraschiv, featuring an installation of pinwheels over Front Street. During the past few months, community groups and locals of all ages and abilities have decorated several hundred individual pinwheels made of reclaimed sailcloth, drawing their own interpretations of traditional textile patterns from different cultures around the world.

This year, the Salem Arts Festival also celebrates the very first “Mural Slam” on Artists’ Row, organized by the City of Salem’s Public Art Commission and Public Art Planner Deborah Greel. Murals will be painted throughout the weekend by 12 selected artists and will be completed by the end of the festival. In addition, the Festival marks the return of vendors to Artists’ Row, with both new and returning tenants for the 2016 season.

The goal of the Salem Arts Festival is to promote all the arts in Salem and to provide the entire North Shore arts community with an opportunity to showcase their talents. The Festival is run in collaboration with Salem Main Streets by a team of dedicated volunteers, including representatives from Creative Salem, Salem State University, the Peabody Essex Museum, and many more.

Visitors interested in attending the Salem Arts Festival can find easy access to the downtown by public transportation or parking at one of the many downtown lots in the City. For more information, please visit www.salemartsfestival.com

SALEM303 Salem_Arts_Fest_Logo_Final

Business Spotlight – Ocean Chic Boutique and Waterbar

Business Spotlight, Salem Shopping, Uncategorized No Responses »

May 242016

We’re bringing the monthly Business Spotlight back! Every month, Salem Main Streets will highlight a business in downtown Salem that might be relatively unknown, off-the-beaten path, misunderstood, or just plain cool. This month, we took a trip with our partner Creative Salem to answer a long-wondered question – what exactly IS a waterbar? Thank you to Creative Salem for the amazing photo-documentation – you can see their glossier version of this article here.

What: Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
Where: 96 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
Owner: Erica Kirwan

When you step into Ocean Chic, it’s hard not feel like you’ve stepped into a mini-vacation. You stand a little looser, breathe a little deeper, and slow down a bit more. And that’s no accident – owner Erica Kirwan has worked hard to make sure her own “little slice of heaven” on Pickering Wharf inspires a sense of positivity and relaxation. Celebrating its two year anniversary this week, many people are still discovering what makes Ocean Chic so special.

After a life in the corporate world helping other entrepreneurs make their dreams come true, Erica Kirwan was ready to slow down and make something that was distinctly her own. From the beachy, bo-ho feel to the inspirational jewelry and art found around the store, the whole store reflects “all of my favorite things,” says Kirwan. The city of Salem itself was also important in creating Ocean Chic, as a maritime community with a positive energy of its own that just felt right. Kirwan adds, “If I hadn’t found Salem, Ocean Chic wouldn’t exist.”

Kirwan defines her boutique as having “big brands you know, and local ones you’re going to love” – and it’s absolutely true. Ocean Chic is the only boutique in town to carry some of the big-name brands common to high-end seaside communities, including Vineyard Vines and Lilly Pulitzer, but also carries smaller local brands as well as unique brands from the West Coast. The boutique is also one of the only places in town to buy bathing suits and other beach wear. Not sure what works for you, or planning a new vacation wardrobe? Ocean Chic also offers personal styling services, which also make for a great gift if you’re not sure what someone on your list might like.

But we all know that shopping can be a thirsty business! The waterbar at Ocean Chic is designed to refresh as well as being yet another way of encouraging shoppers to slow down and enjoy their time. After weaning herself away from the extreme amounts of coffee in her corporate life, Kirwan herself discovered how much there is to water. From maple water to boxed water to coconut water lattes (for those who still need their caffeine!), there’s always something new to sit and sip at Ocean Chic. Not sure if you’re going to like something? Consider asking for a flight!

Ocean Chic is open 7 days a week (sometimes less during the winter), online 24/7/365 at www.shopoceanchic.com, and on social media via Facebook and Instagram. You can also join Ocean Chic on celebrating its second birthday this Thursday evening, 5 pm to 8 pm!

Creative Living Workspace Returns To Salem: Artists’ Row

Salem Event, Salem Shopping No Responses »

May 212016

What is so unique & challenging about the small stretch of land known as Artists’ Row at 24 New Derby St. is that each of the four creative storefront owners design, make and sell their wares right there. Even before your eyes. That is what makes Artists’ Row so special. And it is now open.

Originally built as a market place, this pedestrian walkway is intersected by Front St. on one side and New Derby St. on the other. It is across from Town Hall.

The Public Art Commission, working with Deborah Greel, the Public Art Planner, have this year invited the following “Creative Entrepreneurs” to create handcrafted items including pottery, fabric arts, glass art, and wood turned products in their retail/maker spaces.

Boston Woodturning creates one-of-a-kind handcrafted fine art, as well as usable utilitarian pieces, from a variety of local wood. Discover demonstrations in Woodturning and various workshops throughout the season in the working studio. Learn and observe the process of Woodturning or book a lesson. In the gallery space find practical and sculptural works of art created from wood.
Ceramics by Sibel is the working pottery studio & gallery of Sibel Alpaslan. Sibel is a Turkish ceramic artist who loves the organic feeling of clay, knowing that it comes from the earth. Lately, she has been focusing on creating amphora, vases, and covered dishes that are inspired by ancient forms, and then combining them with modern whimsical surprises. Sibel will also host pottery wheel demonstrations and workshops.
Grace and Diggs founder Linda Joy Mullen, while an architect, has always loved to sew, knit, draw, and glue things together. Architecture has been a study in building big things, while Grace and Diggs became an outlet to make little things. From paper-bag hats and burlap wreaths, to aprons and throw-pillows, Grace and Diggs’ workshops and pre-made works invite the public to experiment in design of small things.
Kay’s Stained Glass Studio is the locally owned and operated glass studio of Kay and Aleksandra Nowak with a mission to create high quality original glass products. With years of experience in stained glass industry, Kay’s Stained Glass Studio offers unique designs and quality craftsmanship with great attention to details. Their work can be seen in various locations throughout Europe as well as the United States. They also provide many services for their customers including consultation, design, restoration, renovation, repair, and fabrication.

As an added extra, joining Sibel in her stall is Karen Scalia of Salem Food Tours. With a passion for fresh local foods and cooking, and a background in event planning as well as the performing arts Karen knew that sharing Salem’s past with a ‘taste’ of the culinary present was the perfect way to understand and appreciate this much-loved city. Take a tour with Karen and learn more about the local food scene in Salem!

This year the creative entrepreneurs are also participating in “Watch Art Grow on the Row” bringing an educational component to Artists’ Row. The artisans will host classes in ceramics, woodturning, hat and wreath making, demonstrations and fine art classes for adults and children. Please contact the individual artisans for their class, workshop and demonstration schedules.

Artists’ Row is a seasonal program (end of May to beginning of November) that provides space for artisans interested in building their audience through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem. Artists’ Row is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, noon – 6pm and Thursdays, 11am – 7pm.

Poetry in Motion Being Showcased in Salem

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Apr 292016

We understand, you worked on Friday and missed the first day of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival. But fear not, ’tis more than one day in length. It will be shared among attendees on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend!

Here are a couple of links you might want to keep handy when you arrive. There is a lot going on, so be prepared to make some choices.

Not only are there many, many speakers. But they are also quite a diverse group.

Another interesting twist on a poetry festival is The Small Press and Literary Fair which takes place outside of the Peabody Essex Museum on Saturday. You will most likely find materials from literary journals, library organizations, university libraries and academic programs.

And just where does this grand festival take place in Salem? Perhaps ask where it is not. Seriously…

Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St.
Salem Five Community Room, 210 Essex St.
Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square, W.
Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square
New Liberty Charter School, Museum Place Mall, 1 E. India Square Mall
The Bridge at 211, 211 Bridge St.
Howling Wolf, 76 Lafayette St.

For a larger version of map go to www.masspoetry.org/venues-2016.

According to the Festival website “We encourage those who have the means, to add a donation to their button purchase to help us continue to offer the festival experience at a low price.”

It is a worthy cause.

Roger Housden, author and public speaker, has said in an edition of the Huffington Post “Poetry at its best calls forth our deep being. It dares us to break free from the safe strategies of the cautious mind; it calls to us, like the wild geese, as Mary Oliver would say, from an open sky. It is a magical art, and always has been — a making of language spells designed to open our eyes, open our doors and welcome us into a bigger world, one of possibilities we may never have dared to dream of.”

But this weekend you may dare dream and experience. Visit Salem and you will hear and see poetry come alive at the Massachusetts Poetry Festival.

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