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Back after a break: Sidewalk Sales returning to Northampton >Kathie Walz, second from left, owner of The Blue Marble and Little Blue inside Thornes Marketplace in Northampton, speaks with her staff Sunday ahead of the 2021 Sidewalk Sales. The traditional summer event is returning this week after a hiatus in 2020 caused by COVID-19 restrictions. STAFF PHOTO/BRIAN STEELE >Published: 7/25/2021 9:23:08 PM
NORTHAMPTON After a tough year of pandemic-related shutdowns and occupancy limits, Northampton’s downtown businesses are hoping for a surge in foot traffic with the return of the Sidewalk Sales this week.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions that forced nonessential businesses to shutter nationwide, the traditional summer Sidewalk Sales were not held in 2020. Amy Cahillane, executive director of the nonprofit Downtown Northampton Association (DNA), which organizes the event, said the hiatus was “another hit in a year-plus of financial hits.”
‘A little alfresco’: Strong Avenue makeover provides new outdoor dining experience in Northampton
Jill Slattery, left, and Diane Fray fill flower boxes along the newly closed Strong Avenue in Northampton. The avenue will be closed from Eastside Grill to Local Burger from Memorial Day to Labor Day and have music in the gazebo Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 6 p.m. Deb Flynn, owner of Eastside Grill, said, “I want the city to be happy, have a good time and see something new and exciting.” STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Chres Smith and Darrin Booke install a gazebo along the newly closed Strong Avenue. The avenue will be closed from Eastside Grill to Local Burger from Memorial Day to Labor Day and have music in the gazebo Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 3 to 6 p.m. Deb Flynn, owner of Eastside Grill said, “I want the city to be happy, have a good time and see something new and exciting.” STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
EASTHAMPTON In what some see as a welcome change to downtown areas once muted by the pandemic, Sidewalk Sales are set to return to Easthampton and Northampton in the near future.In Easthampton, Cottage Street merchants plan to hold their sales on.
Visitors to downtown Northampton dropped dramatically due to COVID; New program seeks to help businesses bounce back MassLive.com 6 hrs ago Jackson Cote, masslive.com
Findings from an outside consultant group hired by the state to look at the challenges posed to businesses in downtown Northampton amid the coronavirus pandemic paint a bleak picture for the typically bustling area.
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Northampton’s primary business district wasn’t immune to the economic effects of the COVID-19 public health crisis, according to Karl Alexander, a project planner for Civic Space Collaborative. The pandemic caused a 50% decline in vehicle traffic and a 41% decrease in foot traffic in the Pioneer Valley city’s downtown.