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| Essex Street, c. 1920 Salem State University Archives and Special Collections |
Salem has long been a shopping and dinning destination. During the Great Age of Sail, Salem was a center of trade and access to foreign goods. In the 20th century, the city was home to the area’s destination stores, attracting shoppers from Boston and throughout the North Shore to Salem’s downtown. Although department stores have moved out of the city in favor of area shopping malls, multiple 19th century businesses and restaurants are still a mainstay in Salem. This list focuses on public facing businesses and restaurants that have provide goods or services for over 50 years.
- Ye Old Pepper Candy Companie, 1806
- Eastern Bank, 1818 (Formerly Salem Savings Bank)
- J. J. Welch, 1852
- Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, 1855
- O’Rourke Brothers Memorials, 1890
- Waters & Brown, 1895
- E.W. Hobbs, 1897
- Soucy Insurance, 1907
- Thomas Mackey and Sons, 1907
- Salem Lowe, 1912
- Winer Brothers Hardware, 1919
- Hawthorne Hotel, 1925
- Puleo’s Dairy, 1928
- John J. Walsh Insurance Agency, 1929
- Walyo’s Variety Store, c. 1930
- Steve’s Market, 1932
- Gardner Mattress, 1933
- Bunghole Liquors, 1933
- Bertini’s Restaurant, 1943
- F.W. Webb, 1944 (Salem Location)
- Red’s Sandwich Shop, 1945
- Gagnon Shoe Repair, c. 1945 (Removed to Beverly, 2021)
- Dairy Witch Ice Cream, 1952
- Coon’s Card and Gift Shop, 1953
- Dotty & Ray’s, 1958
- Eaton Apothecary, 1958
- Tri City Sales, 1959
- Dube’s Seafood, 1961
- Mandee’s Pizza, 1962
- The Daniels House Bed and Breakfast, 1962
- Ziggy & Sons’ Donuts, 1964
- Bill & Bob’s Roast Beef, 1969
