SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING: 12/18/25 9:00-10:00 at On a Limb Bakery
PRESENT: Laura Dunham, Dawn Adams-Rea, Vivian Ciolli, Charlie Duveen, Susi Thomas, Mary Ellen Bayliss, Kyle West, Chris Levy
Treasurer’s Report : motion to approve : Kyle, 2nd Mary Ellen. Unanimously approved.
2026 Directors: Unanimously approved by Chamber members; many mentioned how thankful they were for the Directors and all they do.
Salem Postcard: Laura shared the new card with QR code to the Chamber FB page to be handed out at the Chamber office/some will be dropped off at the Schuylerville Chamber office as well. Suggestion is that next cards have larger pictures.
Advertising: Holiday ads were placed in Chronicle and Salem Press
Christmas Trees: they look great and very welcoming! Discussion held re: difficulty finding enough trees and/or taller trees and whether or not this will become more difficult in the future. Over the next months, we’ll explore other Main Street decorating options.
Chamber Main Street Office: The Dunham’s expect to be ready to launch in mid-January. The Chamber will host a double-ribbon cutting with theoffice@207 Main and Esmerelda’s Kitchen Supplies. UPDATE: RIBBON CUTTING POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH
We are looking for volunteers to cover hours: Monday/Friday/Saturday 10-2, with possible longer hours in the summer months. Tasks would include greeting visitors, handling sales, checking phone messages, providing information on area events. A great opportunity to volunteer! Laura will send a sign-up form to members.
Opportunity for Members- we would like to sell products that represent your business and/or hand out your postcards or other business materials. Contact us for details
Other discussions: t-shirt/mug designs & vendors – Kyle will forward ideas. Accounting for member sales – Susi will contact Chamber bookkeeper for advice. Square terminal-Laura will look into this. Phone App – this allows for phone number without a physical line; all agreed this is needed
Chris shared about the Greenwich Shop & Drop – a community shopping day with provided day care. This is something we’re interested in sharing with Greenwich and will work toward a 2026 holiday Shop & Drop in Salem.
Discussion re: the value of leaning into Salem’s charming, small-town vibe
Next meeting date: January 15th – location TBA
Respectfully Submitted, Laura Dunham