After the March 5 announcement by the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce that it is “restructuring” and narrowing its focus, local business owners say the shift could reshape how merchants collaborate, promote downtown and advocate for shared concerns.
Mud Puddle Toys on Washington Street has been part of the Chamber for years.
“We enjoyed the Christmas Walk and other town-wide events like Sidewalk Sales,” said Cassie Sturdivant, owner of the toy store. “Some of these were very successful. Recently, the Chamber appears to have found these more difficult to organize successfully.”
Sturdivant said the Chamber has faced challenges — including COVID, tariffs and a slow economy — but believes it could better align with the needs of local merchants.
“I know the high annual Chamber fee is difficult for Mud Puddle, especially when there are few events or when events require additional fees,” she said. “I also think the Chamber hasn’t been designed with business owners who are parents in mind. I have difficulty attending meetings and events because many occur during school drop-off time or in the evening when I’d rely on a sitter.”
She hopes small businesses will work together to reduce costs.
“I was just talking with another business owner about going in together on a large reusable bag order with multiple store owners’ logos,” she said, noting her store uses thousands each year.
Sturdivant added that tourism promotion could help strengthen the downtown economy.
“For a seaside town, we don’t get many tourists, which I know some people feel is by design — that Marbleheaders don’t want the town full of tourists,” Sturdivant said. “However, if we lack tourists, the burden of supporting these amazing downtown businesses falls solely on our residents. That’s a big ask for our townspeople.”
Parking remains another major challenge, she said.
“Parking is a huge issue that will only be fixed with dedicated coordination among local customers, parking lot owners, retail businesses, non-retail businesses whose employees use all-day street parking and the town,” Sturdivant said.
Across Washington Street at Local Noon, owner Amy Connolly said she never joined the Chamber.
“No one actually tried to have me join. Should I be offended?” she asked with a laugh.
Chamber restructuring
In a statement released March 5, the Chamber wrote that it will be moving forward without any paid staff and hopes to “continue to organize and preserve several cherished community traditions that have become part of Marblehead’s identity, including Santa’s Landing, the tree lighting and parade during Christmas Walk, and Halloween trick-or-treat night.”
The statement continues: “However, the Chamber will seek partners within the community to assume responsibility for other activities, including portions of Christmas Walk, such as entertainment, trolley services and decorations, as well as the Information Booth, the Visitor’s Guide and tourism promotion. It is hoped that other interested groups may wish to carry these initiatives forward.”
At The Landing Restaurant, General Manager Robert Simonelli has been a Chamber member for about 20 years and served on its board.
“In terms of restructuring, I see the need for a visitor or tourism bureau,” Simonelli said. “And having events that bring locals out to celebrate as well as bring people to town.”
Jason Grazado of Marblehead Sport Shop off Atlantic Avenue said his Chamber membership recently lapsed after several years.
“I did not receive a renewal request as I usually do in January and haven’t renewed,” he said.
Grazado said he sometimes struggled to see direct value in membership but still felt supporting the organization was important.
“I don’t think I really felt the value — especially as a business that is not a ‘destination’ attraction in tourism publications — but I felt like it was important to the community to be part of the Chamber regardless,” he said.
He added that a chamber can play an important role advocating for businesses with town government.
“They need to be a voice of the businesses to the town — whether helping navigate the new trash contract or advocating for plowing priorities,” Grazado said.
Discover Marblehead
Another organization supporting local businesses is Discover Marblehead, which launched in 2018 and promotes events, tourism and local businesses.
Director Melissa Stacey said Discover Marblehead has always viewed itself as a partner to the Chamber rather than a competitor.
“While we’ve never been formally affiliated with the Chamber, we have always supported the Chamber and its events, and never viewed ourselves as an alternative to the organization,” she said.
The group promotes businesses through newsletters, social media, networking events and a community website. It also collaborates with nonprofits and hosts events such as the annual Fall Fair with the Marblehead Museum.
Discover Marblehead is also developing a 72-page visitor guide that will be distributed throughout town and other North Shore communities later this year.
“Collaboration is so important for our businesses,” Stacey said. “Partner up with your neighbor or the businesses on your block to host fun events together. It’s always more fun to partner up rather than do it on your own.”
‘Turning point’
Grazado sees changes coming for Marblehead.
“From the perspective of the customers I see, we are at a turning point for the town,” he said. “Connection to the community through these activities is what will make Marblehead a desirable community for future generations.”
Simonelli remains optimistic.
“Everyone should keep the faith that this is a beautiful town, and we’ve had challenges since Nanapashemet was a baby,” he said. “We will learn and build a stronger Marblehead. Things change, and we pivot. Keep it local and enjoy the community.”
