Cape Ann Conversations

Just months after Courtney and Marshall Tulley opened the doors to their new boutique hotel, Addison Choate, the pandemic brought travel — and the hospitality industry — to an unexpected halt. But instead of standing still, the couple chose to pivot, channeling their entrepreneurial spirit into what they like to call a 'hospitality-adjacent' venture. The result is Denim Blanket Co., a collection of beautifully crafted, high...

Located in Whistlestop Mall in Rockport, Moving and Shaking on the North Shore is your friendly neighborhood expert in senior move management and home organizing. Founded by Ellen Fusco, whose dedication to assisting families blossomed from a deeply personal experience for her parents, this service thrives on empathy, expertise, and a creative touch. Whether it’s helping a loved one downsize, packing up treasured belongings, or unp...

Annie De Castro Design Group (ADDG) is a Boston-based boutique interior design firm renowned for creating bespoke living spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, functionality, and style. Led by founder and design principal Annie de Castro, the firm specializes in tailored design solutions that enhance the quality of life for its clients.

Annie's diverse background in furniture retail, product development, and visual merchandising,...

Atlantic Vacation Homes (AVH) is a premier vacation rental and real estate company based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, serving the Cape Ann region and Boston’s North Shore. With over 40 years of experience, AVH offers a diverse portfolio of properties, including beachfront homes, pet-friendly rentals, and accommodations suitable for large groups. The company also provides year-round and winter rentals, as well as residential sales ...

Need a second set of eyes on your writing? SML Proofreading, founded by the eagle-eyed Sue Lovett in Gloucester, is your secret weapon forspotless copy. Since 2019, Sue has been fixing everything from tangled sentences to pesky punctuation. With a passion for precision and a knack for storytelling, Sue tackles everything from young adult fantasy and memoirs tolocal history books, newsletters, brochures, menus, and more. Her clients...

Landi Van Alen, Director of Development

The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is all about bringing people together to strengthen the communities of Essex County, Massachusetts. They connect donors, nonprofits, and local leaders to support everything from education and the arts to economic opportunity and social equity. Whether it's through grantmaking, special initiatives, or helping nonprofits build capacity, ECCF plays...

Susan Zwart, Director of Thrift Operations, The Open Door & Second Glance

2024 by the Numbers

• 2.35 million Pounds of Food
• 11,893 People Served (5,320 Households)
• 164,859 Meals Prepared In-house
• 316,969 Items Sold
• 140+ Tons of Recycled Materials
• 26,260 Volunteer Hours
• Click to see more!

The Open Door was started during the blizzard of 1978 to make sure people had food during the blizzard and has been feeding people and chang...

Finding a house is easy. Finding a home is the real challenge. Each person’s needs and desires must be uniquely matched to the right space to create that feeling of home. Wendy has a unique ability to make those connections quickly. She has a strong knowledge of market trends and neighborhood vibes. She is passionate about leveraging the latest tools and resources to provide her clients with a seamless and stress-free real estate e...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversation, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Executive Director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum, provides an overview of how the museum came into being and what is currently going on at the museum. Through its dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, the Peabody Essex Museum invites visitors to explore the interconnectedness of art, culture, and history from around the world.

Nestled i...

Say cheese! Meet Kendra Dott, the heart behind Sharon’s Studio of Gloucester. Kendra is a one-woman powerhouse capturing life’s best moments — from portraits and weddings to even passport photos for those tricky Australian and Canadian requirements! Originally started by her parents as Double Exposure in the late '70s, Kendra keeps the tradition alive with a fresh, creative twist. She’s all about saying "yes" to new challenges, wor...

Happy Tails Shoppe LLC in Gloucester, MA is a cheerful little haven for pet lovers and their furry sidekicks! Nestled right on Main Street, this vibrant boutique is packed with tail-wagging treasures—from stylish collars and fun toys to healthy treats and lots more. Owner Lauren Ashly Suchecki brings her passion for pets to life with a bright, welcoming space that celebrates all things dog and cat. Whether you're spoiling your ...

Elizabeth Green, Executive Director, Three Sisters Garden ProjectCynthia August, President & Artist, Ipswich Art Association

Founded 10 years ago, Three Sisters Garden Project is a non-profit community farm with a food access mission in Ipswich, Massachusetts: they are growing produce using sustainable farming methods and working to make local food accessible to all.

The Ipswich Art Association is a nonprofit organization...

Whether you own a boat or hitch a ride on a friend’s boat, everyone loves a “Boat Day!” Kyle Jamerson, founder of Boat Day Apparel, doesn’t own a boat, but his love of a good “boat day” got him to where he is today.

Boat Day started small—selling 100 blue t-shirts right off a friend's boat to see if the idea would stick. What began as a fun way to share the good vibes on the water quickly grew into a brand built on good vibes, ...

Founded in 2005, the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) was created by concerned community members and parents in response to budget cuts in Gloucester Public Schools, particularly affecting arts, music, theater, and STEM programs. Over the past two decades, GEF has grown from a grassroots effort into a fully staffed organization, raising $10.5 million, with most funds directly benefiting Gloucester schools.

On this episode of Ca...

It has been just 3 years since Clay Kern and his wife Jen took the leap into business ownership when they purchased the long-standing Bearskin Neck kayak business, North Shore Kayak. Since then, they have been busy expanding and growing the business.

Holding a Masters degree in Marine & Environmental Science, Clay has a passion for teaching and helping people connect to the natural world. In addition to renting kayaks, North Sh...

Instead of a written President's Update this month, we have recorded an episode of Cape Ann Conversations in which Jim Brown, 2025 Board President, Karen Ristuben, 2024 Board President, and Sam Bevins, Interim Director, chat with host Troy Scarborough about the current status of the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest.

• Facebook: facebook.com/capeannchamber/
• Instagram: instagram.com/capeannchamber/
• Website: c...

If you want to look for a silver lining from the months of being cooped up during the Covid pandemic, look no further than The Lobster Roller.

During the Covid lockdown, former television news and sports reporter Jessica Moran came to realize that it was time for a change. Inspired by her husband’s career change to lobster fishing, she decided to try her hand at his idea of a lobster roll food truck. Thus, in the summer of 2021, Th...

Locally well-known as the founder of Cazeault Solar & Home, Tim Sanborn also has an extensive background in acquiring and running major companies within the contracting industry. After selling Cazeault Solar & Home, Tim is now focused on consulting with contractors to help make their business recession-resistant. During this podcast, Tim provides some great insights about how contractors can take their business to the next ...

In 2013, Andrew Nicastro had the vision to get into the field of live streaming and videography while working full-time as a marketing director. For 6 years, he juggled his full-time job with working live streaming as a side gig. Andrew’s passion for helping people tell their stories grew as his business grew. Whether corporate, non-profit, or personal, if you have a story to tell, Andrew can help “steer you in the best direction” ...