Business - Marblehead Current

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tracy Finn: Staying true to her artistic vision

29Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Art, Business, Columns, Local News, Uncategorized

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tracy Finn: Staying true to her artistic vision

The following is an interview with Tracy Finn, local artist and owner of Tracy Finn Fine Art & Stationery, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To see Finn’s original artwork, as well her greeting cards, invitations, prints and desktop calendars, visit her studio at 51 Atlantic Ave. (by appointment only) or go to TracyFinn.com. Tracy Finn has worked from Idaho to Manhattan to Atlantic Avenue. Tell us about Tracy Finn Fine Art & Stationery. My art practice is more than a business for me, it’s an integral part of who I am. I started taking art lessons at the King Hooper Mansion in the second grade and have been creating ever since. I enjoyed many years as an art teacher before shifting my primary focus to my own work. I strive to make my work accessible to a broad audie...

29Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Business, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

Christmas Walk to step off with old favorites and new events

Marblehead’s 52nd annual Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll starts Thursday, Nov. 30, and runs through the weekend with all the traditional highlights along with some new additions. Santa and Mrs. Claus meet with families at State Street Landing last year. COURTESY PHOTOS “We’re really happy to keep this awesome event going,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Katherine Koch. “The energy is definitely there.” Favorites from the weekend include the Christmas tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by lobster boat, parade, Gingerbread Festival, shopping and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by lobster boat. The Christmas Walk parade steps off on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11:45 a.m. Glover's Regiment participates in the Christmas Walk last year. New events to look for...

22Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Local News

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Meet the creative behind Creative Spirit

The following is an interview with Peyton Pugmire, owner of Creative Spirit, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about the workshops and other offerings provided by Creative Spirit, go to creativespiritma.com. Peyton Pugmire started Creative Spirit to provide inspiring arts workshops and exhibits to the local community. COURTESY PHOTO Tell us about Creative Spirit and why you started it. I started Creative Spirit to provide fun, inspiring and safe opportunities for folks to connect with their innate creativity, which we all have. Over the years, I've offered expressive arts-based workshops exploring a range of topics, including intuitive painting, writing, collage and intuitive dance. I also partner with MacRae's Sustainable Goods here in town to host themed, non-juried ...

15Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Culture, Local News, Uncategorized

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Meet Angelo Bido of Elia Taverna

The following is an interview with Angelo Bido of Elia Taverna, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To try Elia’s authentic Greek cuisine, stop by the restaurant at 261 Washington St. or make a reservation at eliatavernama.com. Angelo Bido, owner of Elia Tavern, brings authentic Greek cuisine and hospitality to Marblehead. COURTESY PHOTO Tell us about Elia Taverna. Elia is a family-run Greek restaurant with homemade recipes that we grew up on. We wanted to bring these recipes to life for more people to enjoy. Marblehead was an area for us to create this experience for the community. Some of our many goals include providing great food, great service and creating friendships with our customers. What is your role with Elia Taverna? I have been with Elia since the beginning....

8Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Local News, Uncategorized

BUSSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Meet the team at Mud Puddle Toys

The following is an interview with Mud Puddle Toys owner Cassandra Sturdivant Watt, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more and shop all their amazing toys and books, stop by the store at 1 Pleasant St. in Marblehead or go to mudpuddletoys.com. Tell us about Mud Puddle Toys and why you bought it. Mud Puddle Toys has been a staple of downtown Marblehead since 2003 but faced closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was friends with the original owners, Kristen and Sam Pollard, so we worked together on a plan to transition ownership over to me. I could not imagine Marblehead without our neighborhood toy store. I have three children who, at the time, were 4, 6, and 8 years old. I knew my children, and so many children and families in Marblehead, would be devastated if the store clos...

2Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Local News

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: MacRae’s Sustainable Goods offers products that are ‘safe for people and the planet’

The following is an interview with Jennifer Lewis, owner of MacRae's Sustainable Goods, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more, stop by the store at 108 Washington St. in or go to macraes-goods.com. Tell us about MacRae's Sustainable Goods and why you started it. MacRae's offers products to our community that are safe for people and the planet. We work hard to find vendors who carry this goal from the beginning to the end of life of their products. The items we carry in the store include products for personal care, home, pets, cleaning, laundry and much more. We're particularly proud to offer closed-loop refillable cleaning and personal care goods. Closed loop means the bulk containers we receive are returned to the vendor to be cleaned out and refilled so nothing is thro...

27Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Business, Community resources, Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Hundreds enjoy Chamber’s trick-or-treating night

Ghouls, goblins and pint-sized superheroes took to the streets Thursday night for Marblehead's annual Halloween celebration, organized by the Chamber of Commerce. A curious family hands out candy outside Pawsitively Marblehead on Thursday night. CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD Two girls show off their trick-or-treating stash inside Tucker Architecture on Thursday. A mom and her son dressed as astronauts take part in the Marblehead Museum's pumpkin carving contest on Thursday night. Gene Arnould of Arnould Gallery & Framery passes out candy on Thursday during the Chamber's trick-or-treating event. Nancy Mantilla of Flores Mantilla talks with a dad and his baby on Thursday night during the town's trick-or-treating event. A little boy dressed as an orange constructi...

18Oct

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Business, Local News, Top Stories

Meet Robert Simonelli: From stuntman to restauranteur

The following is an interview with Robert Simonelli, partner & general manager at The Landing Restaurant, conducted by Discover Marblehead. Learn more at TheLandingRestaurant.com or stop by at 81 Front St. Robert Simonelli of The Landing Restaurant gave up stunt work in California for the restaurant world. Tell us about The Landing Restaurant. The Landing is a landmark restaurant that was first established in 1972. I was fortunate to join the partners back in 2002. Over the last few years, we’ve gone through a few menu changes and several renovations. Once known solely for the great view of the harbor, the new fresh look and current culinary team have made us one of the premiere restaurants on the North Shore. I’ve always loved hospitality and we pride ourselves on the way we...

12Oct

By Benji BoydNo Comments

Business, Health, Local News, Top Stories

HOOKED NUTRITION: New Marblehead drink shop opens on Pleasant Street

one of Marblehead’s newest businesses, Hooked Nutrition opened its doors just about three weeks ago, serving heathy smoothies, teas and coffees. Hooked Nutrition owner Marinda Robtoy sits outside her new shop on Pleasant Street with her son. “I’ve always looked at Marblehead as a healthy, active community,” said owner Marinda Robtoy. “I just really felt like Hooked would be a great addition to the town.” Robtoy lives in Marblehead and in addition to Hooked at 126 Pleasant St., she owns Nautical Nutrition in Salem. The pandemic spurred Robtoy to find a purpose that could fit both her passion for nutrition and her role as a new mother. “I really wanted to create something where I could be a mom, help support my family and provide the community with something great,” she told the...

11Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Business, Culture, Local News, Uncategorized

Could Marblehead transform Salem gridlock into gold?

With a projected record 1 million visitors flocking to Salem this October, the Witch City continues to grow as a Halloween hotspot. But its smaller neighbor, Marblehead, may see opportunities amid the revelry. As parking woes and massive crowds overwhelm Salem each October, are Marblehead businesses and officials missing out on ways to capitalize on the Halloween pilgrimages? Could Marblehead attract visitors seeking historical charm and a family-friendly experiences — without the headaches of overcrowding? Families and visitors crowd the streets during Marblehead Chamber of Commerce’s trick-or-treat event, a testament to the town’s burgeoning October festivities. COURTESY PHOTOS / MARBLEHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "Marblehead is in a unique position to welcome people without it bei...