Mar 032018
 

What goes into a Farmers’ Market? Yes, yes, fruits, veggies, and whole lot more. But, what is the criteria to actually be a vendor? Interested in going behind the scenes? And if you’re a local or regional farmer, Salem Main Streets really wants you to read on, as we are always looking to add another vendor to our menu.

Salem Main Streets has just issued the invitation for local farmers and food vendors to participate in the 2018 Salem Farmers’ Market. It will be centrally located in downtown Salem in Derby Square on Thursdays, 3:00–7:00 p.m. from June 7 through October 11, 2018.

“We are so proud of our market vendors, and we hope to see many returning, but we’re also always on the look-out for the next up and coming business,” explains Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan. “This is the perfect opportunity for a newer small businesses looking to get to the next level, as well as established businesses looking to reach a new audience.”

Rules and Regulations

All products must be grown or produced in New England. If a farmer is selling any items he/she did not grow, the farm of origin must be listed. Vendors may label items organic only if they are certified.

Sullivan notes that the Salem Farmers’ Market is especially looking for meat and cheese vendors.

Non-farm products must be high quality, locally made, take skill and creativity, and the vendor must add at least 75% of the total value to the product.  The product(s) should be complementary to a farmers’ market.

Anyone wishing to sell their products at the Salem Farmers’ Market must submit an application for consideration by March 17.  Applications can be downloaded from www.salemfarmersmarket.org.

Booth space is $30 a week for a 10’ x 10’ spot, $60 for a 10’ x 20’ spot, and $90 for a 10’ by 30’ spot.  There is a discount for prepayment of the entire season.

So, you see, not just anyone can roll their pick up over to Derby Square and dump a load of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc.

Celebrating 10 years this season, the Salem Farmers’ Market welcomes an average of 2,000+ customers weekly.  The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.

For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org or phone at 978-744-0004 x115. To get the latest updates about the market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket) or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).

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Jan 312018
 

Ice Sculpture from 2017

Looking for something really cool to do as a Valentine’s Day gift for sweetie pie? How about spending a day — or an illuminated evening — exploring ice sculptures in Salem Ma during our 16th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival, Feb. 9-11, 2018.

There are Ice Sculpture festivals throughout the world at different times of the year, but we uniquely tie ours to the Valentine’s celebration and make it easy for couples to stroll through our walkable streets, hand in hand, oohing and aahing the creativity and craftsmanship to turn what is essentially water into works of art.

This year, we have 24 beautiful ice sculptures that will grace downtown Salem starting February 10.  Some of the themes for this year’s ice sculptures will include “Love Potion #9,” a Dragon, the Salem State University Superfan, the Gloucester Fisherman, Princess and Frog, and more! A map can be found in the brochure (available in shops around town) during the festival and online at www.salemsosweet.com.

Be sure to make plans for a special evening stroll on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 5 pm to 9 pm, when the sculptures will be illuminated by Retonica! This is always a crowd-pleaser.

Weather permitting, The Salem Trolley offers trolley rides around the festival route on February 10 & 11 from 12 pm to 4 pm for only $2 an adult (free for children).

Ice Sculptures

#01 – Universe – Sponsored by The Journeymasters

#02 – Han Solo – Sponsored by Gulu-Gulu Café and Flying Saucer Pizza Company

#03 – Snowflake – Sponsored by Laura Lanes Skin Care

#04 – The Superfan – Sponsored by Salem State University

#05 – Tank – Sponsored by Army Barracks

#06 – Kissing Fish – Sponsored by Adriatic Restaurant & Bar

#07 – Piggy Bank – People’s United Bank

#08 – Princess & Frog – Sponsored by Maria’s Sweet Somethings

#09 – Dragon – Sponsored by Coon’s Card and Gift Shop

#10 – Page the Dog – Sponsored by Bella Research Group

#11 – Gloucester Fisherman – Sponsored by Turner’s Seafood

#12 – Love Potion #9 – Sponsored by The Coven’s Cottage, Emporium 32, Modern Millie, Pamplemousse, Salem Trolley, and Trolley Depot

#13 – Basset Hound – Sponsored by Witch City Mall: A Sacred Place Wellness Center, Badabing Barbershop and Shave Parlor, Bewitched in Salem, Escape Room Salem, Essex’s NY Deli & Pizza, Jodi Bee Bakes, Lotus Gifts, nAGLY, Omen, Polonus European Deli, Primary Residential Mortgage, Remix Church, Thai Place, Village Tavern, Witch Pix, Witch Tee’s

#14 – Cactus – Sponsored by Peabody Essex Museum

#15 – Super Mario Bros.  – Sponsored by Bit Bar Salem

#16 – Cauldron – Sponsored by Salem Witch Museum

#17 – Bakery – Sponsored by Coffee Time Bake Shop

#18 – Financial Wizard – Sponsored by St. Jean’s Credit Union

#19 – Lion – Sponsored by Jolie Tea Company

#20 – Mug – Sponsored by Notch Brewery & Taproom

#21 – Waterfront Hotel – Sponsored by Regatta Pub at Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites

#22 – Rumson’s Rum – Sponsored by Pirate Dog Brand LLC / Rumson’s Rum

#23 – The Friendship – Sponsored by Waite & Peirce National Park Service Information Center and Park Store

#24 – 350th Anniversary – Sponsored by The House of Seven Gables and Ye Olde Pepper Companie

Ice Sculpture also from 2017

Many downtown businesses will offer chocolate samplings and sweet discounts around downtown Salem all weekend in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  Check to see who is participating in the “Golden Ticket Promotion” – make a full-price purchase at one participating downtown business and get 10% off your purchase at the next participating business!  Offer is good Feb. 10 and 11 only, some restrictions may apply. In addition, many of Salem’s finest restaurants and retailers will be offering their own luscious chocolate and love-inspired specials and events.

A full list of ice sculptures, participating businesses, and promotions are also listed online, and will be available in brochures around town during the festival. Salem’s So Sweet is organized by Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and supported by Creative Salem, Destination Salem, Retonica, Scarlet Letter Press, and Rockafellas. Visit our website for more events and details as they become available – www.salemsosweet.com – or follow our Facebook page for all the latest updates – https://www.facebook.com/salemsosweet.

 

 

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Jan 022018
 

Mark Your Spot

Windows in Salem Ma are more than things to look through. During the December (and into January) holiday season they are canvases to look upon! For our annual Holiday Window Contest over 30 Downtown District merchants decorated their windows with scenes of the season. Creativity abounded. And our judges, as always, had a difficult time in narrowing the list down

Some award categories highlight good retail design – use of store products or display of a business’ services, use of lighting – or types of design, like painted windows. Again, this year, the Contest Legacy award is given to businesses who have demonstrated high quality windows across consecutive years, while the Contest Newcomer recognizes businesses with high quality displays who have not previously or regularly participated in the contest.

“We had some truly fantastic windows this year, as always,” said Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “We give the judges the freedom to create new award categories based on what they see each particular year – but even then, we ended up with more awards and more ties than ever!”

Best Overall: Mark Your Spot
Honorable Mention – Emporium 32 and The Happy Sunflower

Contest Legacy (demonstrating high quality year after year): The Coven’s Cottage and Pamplemousse

Contest Newcomer: Moody Interiors
Honorable Mention – Witch City Wicks and Waite & Peirce

Best Use of Product: Boston Woodturning
Honorable Mention – Partridge in a Bear Tree and Waters & Brown

Best Showcase of Service: Witch Pix and LightShed Photography

Best Use of Lighting: Mark Your Spot
Honorable Mention – Peabody Essex Museum Shop

Best Painted Windows: Brothers Taverna and Life Alive
Honorable Mention – SATV

Emporium 32

The Happy Sunflower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salem Main Streets congratulates the Holiday Window Contest winners, as well as every downtown merchant that was able to participate in this fun event.

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Dec 302017
 

The family-friendly count down to the New Year, known as LAUNCH! is gearing up for a great party in Salem, this Sunday, Dec. 31 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Old Town Hall on Derby Square.

Programming will include hat making, face painting, a photo booth, and more!  There will be an early countdown just before 6 pm. Ring in the New Year with family members that can’t or don’t want to stay up ‘til midnight

“When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time a few years ago, it was immediately clear that there was a strong community desire to come together on New Year’s Eve,” 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!”

New Year’s Eve Stats

History.com and Column Five put together a very interesting “New Year’s by the numbers” Infographic from which we pulled these figures.

  • Each New Year’s Eve, one million people gather in NYC Times Square to watch the famous ball drop.
  • Closed to one billion people around the word watch the festivities on TV.
  • And 22% of adults admit they fall asleep before midnight!

No falling asleep at our New Year’s alternative event, which is in its 5th year and produced again by Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem.

This event is free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support Salem Main Streets’ “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including Santa’s Arrival at the Hawthorne, the Tree Lighting, and the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown district. LAUNCH! is also made possible thanks to our Salem Main Streets volunteers and the continued involvement of our partners at Creative Salem and the Phoenix School.

So, bring friends, co-workers and bring the kids to say goodbye to 2017 and hello 2018, this Sunday at Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Sq. in Salem.

 

 

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Dec 012017
 

How much do you plan to spend on holiday gifts in 2017? The average for shoppers around the USA is approx. $983 according to the American Research Group, Inc which has been polling people every year since 1985. Nearly $1000 for the kids, spouse, family and friends. And if Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday and Cyber Monday didn’t empty your wallet or fill all the stockings, then consider Festive Fridays in Salem.

Festive Fridays is an effort to make shopping work a little better on your schedule as many of our stores will be staying open later on Friday nights. No need to rush to crowded malls. No need to fight for a parking space that will leave you with a 5 minute+ walk from the parking lot to the building.

And where else but in Salem can you find an eclectic array of stores and eateries from which to purchase products, services or just plain gift cards?

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! Each week, we’ll post a list of businesses that have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm, as well as any great deals or special treats that you can look forward to.

Take a #selfiewithashopkeeper and you could win free parking via the Passport parking app!

This week’s participating businesses include:
– The Artists’ Row – Salem, MA tenants – Grace & Diggs, Hervor Soaps, Ceramics by Sibel, Boston Woodturning, ZBY Gallery, and The Lobster Shanty
A Sacred Place Wellness Center
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop
– The Coven’s Cottage
– FreakyElegant
The Happy Sunflower
Laura Lanes Skin Care
Mark Your Spot Salem
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
Moody Interiors
Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
Partridge in a Bear Tree Salem
RJ Coins and Jewelry
Salemdipity
Trolley Depot
Wicked Good Books
Witch City Wicks
Witch Pix
Ye Olde Pepper Companie

We will update with more as participants are confirmed! We will also keep a light on for you!

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