About Salem Main Streets
Mission Statement
Salem Main Streets is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit on a mission to support the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round retail, dining, and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and promotion.
SMS provides direct and indirect business support, coordinates multiple community events, and partners on numerous community initiatives — promoting local businesses, engaging our residents, and attracting visitors. The organization works to build community support for, and economic development interest in, Salem’s unique downtown commercial area through organization (encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community); promotion (creating a positive image for downtown by promoting the downtown as an exciting place to live, work, shop and invest); design (improving the appearance and ambiance of the downtown); and producing or supporting events and initiatives that aim accomplish all of the above.
What we do
Promote Downtown Salem
Support local businesses
Build community
Who We Are
Kyle has been the Executive Director of Salem Main Streets since 2013. She came to SMS after six years as a grants administrator at the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the state’s arts agency. She has worked with a range of nonprofits, community organizations, and educational institutions, with a particular focus on volunteer management, program coordination, and cultural economic development. She received an M.B.A. from Simmons School of Management and a B.A. in music from Wesleyan University.
Elise has been the Events Coordinator at Salem Main Streets since 2022 and a local-about-town since 2006. Elise was introduced to Salem’s downtown through working at A&J King Artisan Bakers, Cinema Salem, and as a longtime vendor at the Salem Farmers’ Market through Northeast Arc’s Shine jewelry program. Elise is a member of Salem’s Human Rights Coalition, The Salem Public School’s LGBTQIA+ Action Committee, and is co-founder of the Proud-Of-You Pop Ups at Salem State University. As a parent, artist, and activist, Elise is committed to celebrating her city and community with inclusive and creative programming.
Board of Directors
Advisory Committee
We can’t do it without you
Whether you’re helping October tourists navigate Salem streets at our Info Booth, scooping ice cream at the Ice Scream Bowl, setting up Farmer’s Market tents, building signs for a festival, wrapping holiday ribbons on street poles, or supporting us from afar, we couldn’t do what we do without you.