Festive Fridays at Salem Stores; Open Later Hours for Holidays

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Dec 012016
 

For the sake of argument, let’s say that neither Black Friday, nor Small Business Saturday nor
Cyber Monday were sufficient enough to meet your shopping needs for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries that fall in December. What else can you do?. How about a visit or two to Salem during our Festive Fridays celebration, which begins Dec. 2nd.

Explains Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets executive director, “Salem Main Streets knows 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. That’s why Salem Main Streets is encouraging downtown retailers to stay open late every Friday this December leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah to help you with your holiday shopping!”

festivefridaysWhich stores will be open during Festive Fridays? Glad you asked that.

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

As an extra incentive for you to shop & participate, Kylie adds, “If you post a #selfiewithashopkeeper any Friday evening in December on Facebook or Instagram, you could win a prize from a local business!”

So, after a long Friday to end a long work week, do you want to then drive to the mall, find a parking spot, walk across the parking lot to enter a packed mall only to be jostled by other tired, unhappy shoppers unable to find that unique gift for aunt Ellen, cousin Eddie or the boss?

Or do you want to stroll along our walkable streets to sample from an eclectic bunch of stores that are staying open later because they genuinely want your business and that of anyone you recommend their products or services to?

For additional information relating to any of these events, please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/salem-festive-fridays/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook and Twitter.

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Food Trucks Roll Into Salem, Deliver Walk-Up Delights

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Shopping, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Oct 012016
 

Step right up ladies and gentlemen to the Food Truck of your choice, Saturday & Sunday (Oct. 1 & 2) as not one, not two, but 25 rolling restaurants set up for business at the Salem Common from 11am to 6pm.

The Salem Food Truck Festival is a two-day event being hosted by South End Open Market at Ink Block and Creative Salem.

From the Salem Food Truck Festival  Facebook page, they comment “We are excited to offer fellow food lovers an event featuring 25 food trucks, live music and family fun. With a range from grilled cheese to whoopie pies, there is sure to be something for everyone! Save the date and save your appetites for one of the area’s biggest food truck events!”

These entrepreneurs go through a lot, as you can see from the Infographic: parking nightmares, gas prices, weather and permits. They could use your support.

food-trucks-on-the-commonBesides the background on the Food Truck biz, we’ve also presented the list of trucks that, as of this writing, will be parked along the Salem Common.

  • Roxy’s Grilled Cheese
  • Bon Me Food Truck
  • The Whoo(pie) Wagon
  • Bon Me Foods
  • Pomaire Boston Chilean Food Truck
  • Tenoch Mexican
  • The Roving Lunchbox
  • The Dining Car
  • ChikChak Food Truck
  • Plouf Plouf Gastronomie
  • Frozen Hoagies
  • Sheherazad Truck
  • North East of the Border
  • Mo’Rockin Fusion
  • Trolley dogs
  • The Chuck Wagon
  • Taco Party
  • Vulgar Display of Poutine
  • Morning Salute
  • Sach Ko Truck
  • Cookie Monstah
  • Japalicious
  • Friskie Fries
  • Sante Mobile Farmhouse Café

And from what we’ve learned of Food Truck etiquette, it is ok to buy one thing from one and another thing from another. The perfect walk-up mix & match lunch or dinner option.

(Infographic from Column Five )

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Cure For End of Summer Blues at PEM

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Aug 172016
 

PEM PM Aug 2016

When the days of August fall to a precious few, unhappy memories of winters past resurrect themselves to create the “end of summer blues.” You don’t want to shovel snow again; don’t even want to think of it again. Cheer up. The Peabody Essex Museum has the cure! Coming up this Thursday, Aug. 18th is the next PEM/PM late night party, called simply End of Summer Blues.

The key word is “blues.”

The PEM invites you to come to the Museum from 6-9pm to enjoy local blues bands, be a part of the music with instrument making, and style yourself blue with denim art workshops. There will also be lawn games and backyard BBQ food while enjoying a selection of beer.

Let this celebration of the good times of summer help you moderate your perspective onto the good things of fall/winter. Special family visits. Pumpkin picking. Tree selecting and tree lighting. Snowman making. Ski trips. Holiday meals.  New Year’s Eve parties.

Summer into Autumn into Winter is inevitable . Just as is Winter into Spring back into Summer. Each season has a value and this Thursday, PEM invites you to celebrate the summer of 2016.

The Peabody Essex Museum is located at East India Square (161 Essex St) in Salem, MA. For more info, call 978-745- 9500 .

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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!

 

 

 

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