Interviewee:
Freddy Epstein (He/Him)
In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.
The Babe is a your friendly neighborhood bar and sandwich shop, new to The Point area of Salem, MA. Founded on a love of Northeast sandwich culture, we proudly make all items from scratch, including burgers fresh ground daily, confit chicken wings, falafel and our lemon ricotta donuts with seasonal jam. Our drink menu is focused on presenting balanced cocktails that highlight our unique selection of spirits and amari, as well as a nice selection of beers, ciders and wines. We also feature a wide range of programming and events, including Industry Brunch & B.Y.O.V. (Bring Your Own Vinyl) on Mondays, Live Lazz on Tuesdays, Latin Music Night on Wednesdays and Funk Brunch on Saturdays. We aim to be a community hub for a unique intersection of people to enjoy great food, cocktails and culture. Our space has over 50 years of history as a neighborhood bar (Major Magleashes, Frank’s, Witches Brew) and we think we’ve created a really cozy spot that highlights the vintage elements of the room with some funky touches of our own.
Why ‘The Babe’? The Babe is the person you’re always excited to see! It could be your mother, your brother, your best bud, your roommate or your partner…The Babe is the one who always makes you feel special. That’s how we want everyone to feel who walks through our door. We love to collaborate! Have an idea for an event that you think would be a good fit for our space? We want to hear about it! Check us out at www.thebabesalem.com.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.
Seth Gerber (Owner) is a managing partner of the MIDA restaurant group in Boston with over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and spent time in both California and Boston cultivating his skills in restaurant operations and management. In addition to restaurant consulting and writing about the industry, Seth teaches hospitality courses at Boston University. He’s passionate about food, wine and hospitality and excited to be opening his first restaurant on the North Shore where he lives with his wife Andrea and two boys Anthony & Abe (“The Babe”). Freddy Epstein (Operating Partner) is a Philadelphia native who moved to New York City as a professional musician and theater artist while working in nightlife and restaurants. Freddy helped open El Original, a 5,000 sq ft Tex Mex restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen and was Director of Operations for Chelsea Music Hall, a 400-seat capacity performance venue in the Chelsea Market in NYC. He moved to the North Shore with his wife Desiree in 2021 and is excited to share his passion for art and food with the Salem community.
What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)
Everything we do is an act of creation that starts with a thought, an idea…an intention. When we provide space for artists to bring those ideas to life, we inspire a wider community of professionals to think creatively and make their own connections. This is how communities grow and forge cohesive identities. The artists are our storytellers! We hope The Babe becomes a community hub for people to come together, celebrate, share ideas and inspire each other. Salem clearly needs more music spaces and we’re excited to highlight diverse perspectives and the wealth of talent in Salem and the North Shore.
What was the last book you read OR What was the last video you watched that made an impact on you?
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
The majority of our staff are musicians, artists, authors, dancers, etc…house band???
Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
The Babe
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The Babe Step into The Babe, your quintessential neighborhood bar and sandwich shop in the heart of Salem, MA. Birthed from a profound affection for Northeast sandwich culture, The Babe prides itself on its homemade ethos, where everything from burgers to falafel is crafted from scratch with love. Beyond our culinary delights, we offer a drink menu meticulously curated to
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