Celebrate Salem Nominees Announced

The Salem Chamber of Commerce  is celebrating “100 Years of Success” at the Centennial Celebration and Celebrate Salem Awards Dinner Extraordinaire on April 25, at the Peabody Essex Museum. 

In 1912 the Salem Merchant Association and the Civic Association started talks about a merger into one organization, the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Civics. The group joined the U.S. Chamber in 1912 and incorporated in 1914.

The program of the evening will include the presentation of the “Celebrate Salem Awards”, and the Salem Chamber today released the list of 36 nominees.  Awards are handed out annually in the following categories: Businesswoman of the Year, Businessman of the Year, New Business of the Year, Long Term Achievement, Community Service, and Excellence in Retail.

Salem Chamber president Sandy Heaphy, who also chairs the organizing committee said, “All 36 selected companies and individuals definitely deserve the recognition that comes with the nomination.”  Heaphy continued, “The list includes a number of centennial companies, as well as six new businesses, and is a great reflection of how far Salem has come in the last decade and century.” 

The Black-Tie optional event will also honor the exceptional centennial companies and organizations within the membership of the Salem Chamber, many of whom have been a member since the Chamber’s inception.

The Centennial Celebration and Celebrate Salem Award Dinner is the Salem Chamber’s signature event, and tickets for the event are for sale at the Salem Chamber, 265 Essex Street. For more information on the dinner and the nominees, please visit salem-chamber.org. 

Businesswoman of the Year is a Chamber member who has demonstrated excellence in business practices throughout the year and has demonstrated a sincere commitment to Salem.

Guenevere Blanchard (Ben & Jerry's)

Gina Deschamps (Deschamps Printing Co.)

Juli Lederhaus (Hawthorne Hotel)

Betsy Merry (MerryFox Realty)

Diane Pabich (The Salem Inn and Salem Renewal)

Christine Robidoux (Modern Millie)

Businessman of the Year is a Chamber member who has demonstrated excellence in business practices throughout the year and has demonstrated a sincere commitment to Salem.

Nominated for Businessman of the Year 2011

Fred Atkins (F.J. Dion Yacht Yard, Inc.)

Darek Barcikowski (Café Polonia, Polish Journal and Creative Salem)

Keith Barsanti  (Victoria Station and J. Mode)

Bill Hanney (North Shore Music Theatre)

Bill Howard (Beverly Cooperative Bank)

Ken Rothwell (Rothwell’s Custom Catering and Ken's Kickin' Chicken)

New Business of the Year 2011, awarded to the best new business that opened in 2011.

Cathy Crist Interior Architecture

North Shore Art*Throb

re-find and re-find mens

Scratch Kitchen

The Hungry Whale

The Pig Next Door

The Long-Term Achievement Award will be given to a business that has achieved 10 or more years of success in the community.

Hayden Safe & Lock Co., Inc.

The House of the Seven Gables

Hutchinson Medical, Inc.

The Phoenix School

The Salem News

Ye Olde Pepper Companie

The Community Service Award is awarded to a member or organization who has an outstanding record of community service and volunteer participation.

Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC)

North Shore Community Development Coalition

Salem Cyberspace

Salem Jazz & Soul Festival

The Salem Partnership

The Salvation Army

Excellence in Retail Award: The Excellence in Retail Award showcases the outstanding achievements of Salem retailers and will be awarded to the retailer that applies superior knowledge, creativity and industry know-how to develop innovative strategies, and contributes to the growth of the Salem retail sector.

Nominated for Excellence in Retail Award 2011

Delande Lighting

Gardner Mattress

Glitterati

Mud Puddle Toys

Salem Plumbing Supply & Designer Bath

Salem Wine Imports