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SALEM -- The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the new year with hope, not really knowing how membership numbers in 2021 will be affected by COVID-19.
"We gained members and we lost members -- that's normal for us," Chamber Executive Director Lori Jewell said for 2020.
The chamber has over 350 members and is in the process of sending out invoices for 2021 memberships.
In a newsletter to members, she acknowledged the significant impact to area businesses from the virus and the actions that had to be taken in an attempt to curb it. Some businesses were shut down for some time, and others like Salem Twin Cinema and the Salem Community Theatre remain closed.
Just this week, Family Video became the latest Salem business to announce its pending closure. Label Shopper, Gordmans and Pet Valu already closed permanently.
In a letter to employees and customers on Tuesday, Keith Hoogland of Highland Ventures Ltd., owner of Family Video, announced all stores would be shutting down and thanked the customers and employees for many years of success.
"The impact of COVID-19, not only in foot traffic, but also in the lack of movie releases, pushed us to the end of an era," he wrote.
He mentioned his pride at how the employees and customers came together over the years to support many community causes through grass-roots events at store locations.
He said the company will remain tied to the communities through the Legacy Commercial Division by continuing to own and manage buildings, such as the Salem location at the northeast corner of Lincoln and State.
Just like area companies, the chamber had to change its way of doing business, switching from being event-oriented to being a resource for members and the community regarding COVID-19 safety mandates and financial assistance opportunities.
When indoor dining got shut down, the chamber stepped up and compiled a list of local restaurants still offering take-out with their contact information, encouraging residents to patronize those businesses.
Many events were cancelled, but some new offerings popped up despite the stay-at-home order, gathering limits, mask mandates and social distancing. Even with the annual Christmas parade cancelled, Santa still showed up on the Salem Fire Department ladder truck, cruising along State Street.
The chamber introduced something new with Salem Dining Cards and the Facebook Women's Networking Circle, hosted an online version of the annual meeting to honor businesses large and small, a non-profit and an individual citizen and still had the Adopt-A-Planter program and Beautification awards.
Highlights of the year included installation of the third entranceway sign on the east end of town on East State Street, the unveiling of the "Salem: This is Home" video on YouTube (viewed over 9,500 times), and the relocation of the chamber office to 210 E. State St. in downtown Salem.
"Above all, the way area businesses and the Salem community have come together to face the pandemic with a spirit of compassion and collaboration is what truly makes Salem 'Salem'. At your Chamber, we work hard to provide benefits to our members while also finding the balance to fund important community initiatives that lead the way for business. Only through your support can we continue making Salem a great place to live, work and play," the newsletter to chamber members said.
Considering everything, Jewell said the chamber "had a lot of great accomplishments for the year. I'm optimistic for 2021."
The chamber can be reached at 330-337-3473 or via email at info@salemohiochamber.org. To learn more, visit www.salemohiochamber.org.
mgreier@salemnews.net