Page 8 - BusinessWest February 20, 2023

Northampton at
a glance
Year Incorporated: 1883
Population: 29,571
Area: 35.8 square miles
County: Hampshire
Residential tax rate: $15.84
Commercial tax rate: $15.84
Median Household Income: $56,999
Median Family Income: $80,179
Type of government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Cooley Dickinson Hospital; ServiceNet Inc.; Smith College; L-3 KEO
* Latest information available
Are you a future health care professional?
Plan your career and learn from the best.
Wednesday, March 8, 4–7 p.m. Holyoke Community College Center for Health Education, 404 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke
This event is free and open to the public. For information email [email protected]
MP03:8-MP03:5
DLEIFGNIRPS NOTAREHS
3202 ,31 LIRPA ,YADSRUHT
!RESIARDNUF LAUNNA RUO NIOJ
Common Threads is an opportunity to hear about the exciting work happening at Dress for Success Western Massachusetts and the stories of the
women who have thrived in our programs.
!YADOT
RETSIGER
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >>
Northampton Fights Back from the Pandemic
BY KAILEY HOULE
[email protected]
Northampton has always been the place to be when it comes to good eats, arts, and entertain- ment. The city boasts more than 100 shops,
about 20 restaurants, and multiple music venues for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round.
And it is because its economy is based largely on tourism and hospitality that Northampton suffered as few area communities did during the pandemic, and also why it is still, in many ways, finding its way all the way back from that greatly disruptive time.
The good news, according to those we spoke with, and especially Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, is that the city is moving in the right direction, in part by provid- ing things for people to do and reasons to venture out.
“We’re just trying to encourage people every way we can, and every time that we’ve created opportuni- ties for people to come out and be together, like we brought back the Taste of Northampton ... people really, really enjoy them,” she said. “And it’s just get- ting people to take that step, too, to come out.”
Vince Jackson, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, agreed, not- ing that, historically, Northampton has attracted large numbers of visitors, and for a variety of reasons.
Jackson said the chamber has heard from several business owners that they have reached or exceeded their 2019, pre-pandemic, sales levels, and business activity continues to improve. Some people travel
75 miles or more just for the music entertainment the city has to offer; even with the Iron Horse Music Group venues largely shuttered in recent years, mul- tiple smaller venues have filled the gap.
The city is a place for both adults and kids to have a good time; whether they love the art scene or an independent bookstore, there is something for every- one when they make the trip.
One bookstore that survived and is thriving as it enters the post-pandemic years is High Five Books. It started in 2019 and worked through the pandemic with curbside pickup and individual shopping trips for families.
“I just really wanted a space for families like mine to go and hang out and connect around books and create a community around the reading experience and the book-loving experience; I wanted to have a place for families to connect around reading and sto- ries,” owner Lexi Walters-Wright said. “I also recog- nized how many authors and illustrators we have liv- ing right here in the Valley, and I wanted to be able to showcase their incredible work and also have young people see how work is created and get excited about that for themselves.”
The Bloomery Art Gallery is another thriving local business. It was created by Luc Abbott, who realized how critical it is for people to come together and cel- ebrate one another in a safe space.
“It’s about celebration,” they said. “With all the
8 FEBRUARY 20, 2023
<< COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >> BusinessWest