Salem Main Streets

Salem Main Streets is an independent nonprofit working to keep downtown Salem a lively, year-round destination for shopping, dining and culture. It does this through business retention, recruitment and promotion, and it supports the district’s more than 260 businesses with free technical assistance workshops, one-on-one strategy consultations, retail design help, social media promotion and quarterly business owner meetings. It also works on the appearance and ambiance of downtown.

Events are a big part of its work. Salem Main Streets is involved in Salem’s So Sweet, the Salem Arts Festival, the Salem Farmers’ Market, the Ice Scream Bowl, the Howl-o-ween Parade, the Winter Market, the holiday tree lighting, Santa’s arrival at the Hawthorne, a holiday window contest and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Volunteers help with much of it, from October info booths to farmers market tents.

What to Know

• The executive director has led the organization since 2013, after six years at the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
• The organization is a 501(c)(3), and donations are tax-deductible.
• Support comes partly from the City of Salem, Mass Growth Capital Corporation and the Salem Chamber.
• Its events coordinator has held that role since 2022.