SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
infectious. When employees move about town at lunchtime or during their commutes, they ‘feel’ the energy,” says Dean Rubin, Rose Display CEO. “As an owner, I particularly like the strong city government that has implemented a growth plan that is working, makes sensitive decisions to meet the balanced needs of both business and residential, and that is accessible by owners and residents alike. Taxes are moderate, and city services are stable and reliable.” Marc Hazel, president of Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies, is sweet on doing business in Salem. “Mayor Driscoll has been very supportive, helpful and accommodating to us,” says Hazel, whose facility on Swampscott Road produces 1.5 to 2 million cookies a day that are then sold to grocery chains, instore bakeries, hotels, cruise lines, restaurants and cafés, and catering operations across the country. Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies creates 400 distinct cookies and employs 85 people.
Reviewing architectual designs in one of Salem’s downtown businesses
Photo: Winter Street Architects
Many businesses have deep roots in Salem, including, Harbor Sweets and its owner Phyllis LeBlanc. Her relationship with the company started in 1977 when she was a student at Salem State College (now Salem State University) and joined Harbor Sweets as a part-time employee dipping chocolates. Fast forward 23 years when LeBlanc bought the company but still maintains its tradition of making handcrafted gourmet chocolates in copper kettles and molds.