#StayLocal2021 Guide to Salem, MA

#StayLocalMA (#StayLocal2021) is an innovative and collaborative regional approach to explore, dine, and shop locally. Creative Collective created The Stay Local MA Campaign to support your favorite small businesses throughout the community – both in-store and online and keep your money local.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of most communities and on the North Shore that couldn’t be more true,” said John Andrews (he/him), President and Founder of Creative Collective.

Salem, MA is an internationally renowned tourist destination and Halloween capital. Yet, there is so much happening in this city beyond October (Things to Do in Salem’s newest guide “Salem’s Other Seasons” is super helpful in this regard as well). But now that Haunted Happenings are over, and Holiday Happenings is well on its way, it’s time for the 2021 #StayLocal Guide to Witch City. 

Here are our picks for the best of eating, drinking, shopping, arts & culture, hospitality, and entertainment in Salem, MA. 

Salem is a North of Boston shopping hotspot with tons of unique options for every kind of taste. Goth and alternative wear, witch kitsch, designer fabrics, fine art and handmade crafts, eccentric housewares, souvenir shops, wine and gifts are just a small sampling of what you can find here. These are some of our favorite places to #ShopLocal in Salem. 

• Beverly Bees – 24 New Derby St: Honey, candles, gifts
• ChagallPAC – 24 New Derby St: Fine art, jewelry, woodworking, gifts 
• Circle of Stitches – 66 Wharf St: Yarn, Crochet & Knitting Supplies, gifts, witch shop
• Coon’s Card & Gift Shop and Penelope’s Pet Boutique – 226 Essex St: crystals, apparel, souvenirs, and more
• Coven Beauty Company – 63B Wharf St: Modern Twist of Salem’s Charm, Apparel, Accessories, Makeup, SFX, Jewelry, Ritual, Sage, Gifts etc
• Die with Your Boots On – 9 Church St: Gothic, heavy metal, and alternative clothing, shoes, and accessories shop
• District Trading Company – 131 Essex St: Handcrafted Salem and coastal New England inspired apparel, art and goods
• Emporium 32 – 6 Central St: A vintage-style boutique focusing on handmade and US made unique items and gifts
• Helios Floral – 32 Church St: Seasonally inspired floral designs for wedding, events, and special occasions
• Hex Old World Witchery – 246 Essex St: Candles, incense, potions, jewelry, herbs, and occult books
• House of the Seven Gables Gift Shop – 115 Derby St: Historic and literary museum gift shop
• Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry – 32 Church St: Ethically sourced fine jewelry, engagement rings, wedding bands, and gifts 
• Lifebridge Thrift Store – 47 Canal St: Great deals on clothes, furniture, and more
• Modern Millie – 3 Central St: Vintage inspired modern clothing and accessories
• Moody’s Home & Gifts – 109 Essex St: unique handmade local and fair trade items representing Salem, MA’s heart and culture
• OMEN: Psychic Parlor and Witchcraft Emporium – 184 Essex St: Old-style psychic parlor and Witch shop
• PEM Shop – 161 Essex St: Curated merchandise inspired by the museum’s vast collections and exhibitions
• Roseadelas – 62 Wharf St: handcrafted jellies, jams, sauces, glazes, chocolates and other gourmet foods.
• Rusty & Ingrid Creative Company – ​​34 Front St: Handmade screen prints and wooden frames
• Salem Arts Association Shop – 159 Derby St: Affordable, hand-crafted, and locally made creations from artists across the Boston Northshore region. 
• Salem Cycle Inc. – 72 Washington St: Bike shop with personalized service, bike fitting, and bike rentals.
• Salem Bespoke Boutique – 127 Essex St: Custom Clothing and Costumes
• The Salem Plant Witch – 24 New Derby St: unusual plant life adorned with locally sourced bones, minerals, and organic matter
• Shindig! Studios – 26 New Derby St: Sustainable fashion and decor
• Vampfangs – 244 Essex St: Customized vampire fangs, apparel, and accessories
• Witch DR – 109 Lafayette St: quality glass pipes, bongs, dab rigs, grinders, bubblers, dry herb vaporizers & accessories 

Salem is a foodie destination that just keeps getting better. They’ve got taverns and fine dining and pizza and sushi and just about everything else. Here’s some of our favorite places to #EatLocal in Salem, MA. 

Breweries

• Notch Brewing – 283R Derby St: 
• East Regiment Beer Company – 30 Church St #B1
• Far from the Tree Cider: 108 Jackson St

Cafés and Quick Bites

• Adea’s Mediterranean – 90 Lafayette St: Mediterranean small & shared plates in a no-frills setting with an open kitchen.
• Front Street Coffeehouse – 20 Front St: Warm, unpretentious coffeehouse serving espresso drinks, sandwiches, soups, salads & baked good 
• Goodnight Fatty – 1 Washington Square: Cookies and ice cream 
• Jaho Coffee & Tea – 197 Derby Street: Artisanal coffee roasters, teahouse & bakery offering drinks, light fare & fresh pastries.
• Jolie Tea Company – 105 Essex Street: Cozy, charming place offering many unique teas from around the world, plus scones & French macarons.
• Odd Meter Coffee – 60 Washington Street – Coffee, specialty drinks, and pastries
• Wolf Next Door Coffee – 142 Derby St: Neighborhood coffee shop

Dine-In

• Bambolina – 288 Derby Street: Rustic-cool spot serving wood-fired pies, small plates, wine & craft beer to hip crowds.
• BitBar – 278 Derby St: Bar offering old-school arcade games, craft beer & playful eats like donut burgers.
• Gulu Gulu Café – 247 Essex St: Cozy, unpretentious coffeehouse offering an eclectic global menu of small bites, plus live music.
• Finz Seafood and Grill – 86 Wharf St: Upscale-casual seafood, steak & cocktail destination situated on the harbor with deck & ocean views 
• Flying Saucer Pizza Co. – 118 Washington St: Pizzas topped with local ingredients pair with craft beers in funky digs sporting space decor
• Koto Grill and Sushi – 90 Washington St: Casual bar & eatery offering specialty sushi rolls, Japanese/Chinese/Thai dishes, sake & cocktails 
• Ledger – 125 Washington Street: Upscale restaurant & bar serving New England cuisine in a 19th-century bank building
• The Lobster Shanty – 25 Front St: Bustling, informal eatery & bar with classic seafood & outdoor tables, plus live music on weekends
• Opus Salem – 87 Washington St: Hip haunt featuring New American small plates, sushi, cocktails & live events amid whimsical decor
• Sea Level Oyster Bar – 94 Wharf St: Oysters, lobster rolls, specialty cocktails & more offered in a casual joint with water views.
• The Village Tavern – 168 Essex St: Upbeat American tavern with a patio, game room & big beer list serving classic American pub grub.

Salem is a worldwide renowned cultural destination with award winning museums and countless cultural experiences. Here are some our favorite places to #StayLocal and #PlayLocal in Salem, MA: 

Arts and Culture

Tourism

• Better Than Fiction Tours
• Dynamic History Salem
• Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters – 24 Congress St
• Salem Food Tours – 62 Wharf St
• Salem Night Tours 

Theatre and Performance

• Center for Creative and Performing Arts at SSU – 352 Lafayette St: Contemporary theater for faculty and student performances and for the use of the larger community for creative events
• CinemaSalem – 1 E India Square Mall: Community movie theatre and screening room
• Gallows Hill Museum Theatre – 7 Lynde St: Theatre and haunted house
• The Witchery – 61 Wharf St: creative space offering tarot readings, daily crafting and live shows.

Fine Art and Photography

• Creative Harbor – 35 Congress St: Photography studio and event venue 
• Evie Richards-Cashman Photography – 265 Essex St: Fine art boudoir and portrait photography 
• Lightshed Photography Studio – 79 Washington St: Fine art portrait photography studio
• Salem Arts Association – 159 Derby St: Volunteer-run nonprofit arts organization and art gallery
• Salem Arcanum Studio of Photography – 24 Varney St: Fine art photography studio
• Witch Pix – 172 Essex St: Costume photo studio and Salem tourist destination

History and Culture

• The Bridge at 211 – 211 Bridge St: a hub for artistic, cultural, and social events
• Hamilton Hall – 9 Chestnut St: National Historic Landmark and event venue 
• Peabody Essex Museum – 161 Essex St: Museum containing the collections of the former Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute
• Phillips House Museum – 34 Chestnut St #3129: Historic house and museum located in the McIntire Historic District in Salem
• Salem Athenaeum – 337 Essex St: One of the oldest membership libraries in the United States
• Salem Witch Museum – 19 1/2 N Washington Sq: Life-size stage sets, exhibits & tours exploring the 1692 Salem witch trials, plus witchcraft today.
• The House of the Seven Gables – 115 Derby St: Colonial mansion and literary historic site
• The Satanic Temple Headquarters and Salem Art Gallery – 64 Bridge St: Event venue and art gallery  

Hotels

• Hampton Inn – 11 Dodge St
• Hawthorne Hotel – 18 Washington Square W
• Salem Waterfront Hotel – 225 Derby St
• The Merchant – 148 Washington St

Health and Wellness

• Freedom Massage – 50 Grove St Suite #204
• Salty Buddha – 201 Washington St STE. #206 

Are you a Salem-based small business who would like to be included in this list? Send us a message at info@creativecollectivema.com with the subject line “#StayLocal2021 in Salem.”

Creative Collective’s #NonprofitNovember to highlight nonprofits, foundations, and community organizations North of Boston

This November, Creative Collective is launching #NonprofitNovember, a social media campaign geared towards bringing awareness to local nonprofits and encouraging the public to support. Nonprofit and community organizations foster civic engagement, leadership, and growth for cities, and the role they occupy as cultural touchstones and educational hubs in North Shore communities is difficult to miss. 

Learn more.