Interim Director’s & President’s Update – May 2025
May 6, 2025
Spring has sprung across Greater Cape Ann, and the signs are everywhere. Visitors are returning with a palpable sense of excitement—an energy welcomed by the many local businesses reopening for the season. Here at the Chamber, we’ve noticed a significant uptick in daily visitors after the quiet winter months—summer is just around the corner!
April, often thought of as a “planning” month at the Chamber, was brimming with events and activity—from Easter egg hunts to Select Board forums! We hosted a terrific Business After Hours at Revive Wellness on Main Street in Gloucester, where more than 40 attendees explored this new wellness and massage space, networked, and learned about their services. Owners Roxanne and Sean were gracious hosts, and if you missed the event, we highly recommend stopping by to see what they offer.
In Rockport, we led the 33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Millbrook Meadow, a cherished spring tradition for the town’s youngest residents. The weather was perfect, and over 100 children participated. We closed out the month with an Essex Select Board Candidate Forum at Essex Elementary School, co-sponsored by The Manchester Cricket. Colleen Murdock and Erika Brown moderated a lively discussion between candidates Annie Cameron and Ruth Pereen. The event, recorded by 1623 Studios, drew a live audience of over 100 attendees. If you missed the event, find the recording on 1623’s YouTube channel.
Behind the scenes, we were also finalizing this year’s publications: the Greater Cape Ann Guide, Greater Cape Ann Map, and Rockport Map. These updated pieces—featuring new photography, events, and editorial content—will begin distribution across greater Cape Ann, New England, and into New York by mid-May. Stay tuned for their release!
Our sister organization, the Cape Ann Community Foundation, held its annual low-number license plate auction in April and is currently reviewing applications for its annual grant cycle. This year’s auction featured five low-number plates and several creative custom options—from zip codes to founding years—which drew strong interest from bidders. With the most competitive grant applicant pool to date, the Foundation will soon announce its 2025 grant recipients.
As we move into May, there’s a lot to look forward to. We’re celebrating new businesses like Rockport Brewery’s taproom and milestones such as 1634 Meadery’s 10th anniversary with ribbon cuttings throughout the month. We’re also excited to share that our 36th Annual Business Education Scholarship Golf Tournament at Bass Rocks Country Club is sold out! This vital fundraiser supports seven Chamber scholarships for local high school students across the region.
Our May Business After Hours will be held at C.K. Pearl in Essex—mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 21 at 5 PM. And don’t miss the annual Tourism Mixer, organized by our Tourism Council, on May 13 at the Manchester Historical Museum. It’s a fantastic opportunity for tourism-related businesses to network and share updates for the season. If you haven’t visited the museum yet, this is the perfect time to check out the incredible work happening there.
We’re also thrilled to once again organize Motif No. 1 Day in Rockport, taking place May 17. With a bit of luck on the weather front, the event promises to be a festive weekend of live music, artist demonstrations, plein air painters throughout town, and plenty of local charm. Whether for a few hours or the whole day, come celebrate this iconic symbol of Cape Ann and support the creative community.
And finally—while the tourists are arriving (and yes, even the British in June for the Battle of Bunker Hill reenactment!), now is the perfect moment to take advantage of these final “quiet” weekends. Explore our downtowns, visit the shops, and see just how many new or refreshed businesses have opened their doors this spring. You might be surprised by all that’s blooming across greater Cape Ann.
Respectfully,
Jim Brown, President, GCACC Board of Directors
Sam Bevins, Interim Director, Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce