June 17, 2020
Dear Friends ,
Welcome to the mid-week edition of our special COVID-19 newsletter. Thankfully, the state’s key public health indicators continue to trend favorably. Cape Ann’s retailers, innkeepers and restaurateurs are ramping up and expanding business operations in accordance with state and local guidelines, and more outdoor dining options are coming online daily. Today’s issue includes the latest, sector-specific information from the state’s Reopening Massachusetts webpage , as well as local news and updates from Cape Ann communities and businesses.

Please plan to join us tomorrow Thursday, June 18 at 10am on for our weekly Business Check-In and Information Sharing . Please share your reopening stories so that we can learn from one another about the creative ways you are doing business while keeping employees and customers safe and at ease. To pre-register for this week’s Zoom meeting please click here .

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and our entire Cape Ann community are delighted to see so many Cape Ann restaurants, retailers and lodgings back in business, and we look forward to more and more reopenings in the days and weeks ahead. We wish all a healthy and prosperous summer on Cape Ann.
Sincerely,

Your Chamber Team
Please remember, we are here to support our community with information about reopening Massachusetts and Cape Ann, and business and community resources. Please call (978) 283-1601 or email us as follows:

        

News & Business Resources:

  • Pop-Up Testing Sites Available in Essex County Today and Tomorrow. On Monday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the availability of 52 pop-up COVID-19 testing sites throughout the Commonwealth for individuals who have recently participated in large gatherings. Sites are located at Lawrence General Hospital and Lynn Community Health Center, as well as CVS locations in Danvers, Ipswich, Lawrence, Salem and Salisbury. Some of these sites will offer walk-in services, while others are by appointment only. Test results will be provided to each participant confidentially, and participants are encouraged to share these results with their doctors. More information, including a full list of all testing sites is available at www.mass.gov/gettested.

  • Small Business Administration Reopens EIDL Portal for New Loan and Grant Applications. Using a newly streamlined application and loan closing process the SBA this week re-launched the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and EIDL Advance Program. EIDL is now available to all small businesses that did not apply by the previous April 15 cut-off date. These loans may be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact, and that are not already covered by a Paycheck Protection Program loan. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits, with one year deferral and up to 30 years to repay loans. In addition, small businesses and non-profits may request, as part of their loan application, an EIDL Advance of up to $10,000. For more information and to apply, please click here.  

  • Reopening Massachusetts, Phase II. We have posted links to the latest General Business and Sector-Specific Guidance from the state on our special COVID-19 webpages. Please click here for detailed information including mandatory workplace safety standards.
  • Dashboard for June 16: The most recent Dashboard of Public Health Indicators continues to trend favorably and is available here. The positive test rate continues to trend downward, with the 7-day weighted average dropping to 3% on June 12. The total number of patients currently hospitalized has also fallen by 71% since May 17, standing at 1,045 yesterday.
Chamber Updates & Resources:
New Listings:

  • Reopening Cape Ann. As we progress through Phase II, more and more Cape Ann businesses have reopened in accordance with state and local guidelines. We encourage members to update your business information in your online account so that our online Business Directory has your most current information. To learn more or for assistance logging into your member account, please contact Olivia Perez-O’Dess ([email protected]).

  • Restaurant Hours and Information Needed. The Chamber’s list of Cape Ann eateries offering Take-Out/ Curbside Service, Delivery, and Outside Dining requires continual updating as more dining establishments reopen and expand services. This list is a valuable resource for Cape Ann innkeepers, retailers, visitors and residents alike. Please help us keep this information fresh and current by sending the details of your hours and operations to [email protected].
  • Job Postings Welcome. We encourage Chamber members to use us as a resource to post job openings. All CACC members have an online account where they can post a job listing. View current job listings here. For assistance in posting job openings for your business, please contact Olivia Perez-O’Dess at [email protected].
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  • Say Happy Fathers’ Day with the Gift of Cape Ann. Cape Ann Gift Certificates are a great way to show your love and appreciation for the Dads in your life while supporting over 200 local businesses. To learn more please visit here. To purchase Cape Ann Gift Certificates, please email Karen Carone at [email protected].
Member & Community Updates:

New Listings:

  • Rockport Approves Expanded Outdoor Dining. At this week’s joint Board of Selectmen/ Board of Health meeting, board members gave their unanimous approval to a plan that will enable four local restaurants to offer al fresco dining for their patrons. Subject to final approvals by town inspectors, Blue Lobster Grille, Feather & Wedge, the Fish Shack and Hula Moon will be serving patrons at outside tables adjacent to their establishments in the coming days. For an extensive and regularly updated list of Cape Ann eateries offering take-out, delivery and outside seating, please click here.

Ongoing: For member and community updates please click here

Education & Training Resources:

New Listings / Upcoming Events:

  • Special HR Webinar - “Human Resources & Employee Management in the Covid-19 Re-opening of Cape Ann.” At yesterday’s webinar hosted by the City of Gloucester and the Chamber, Laurie LaBrie of Integrated HR shared valuable information about unemployment, the Department of Unemployment Assistance and the process of calling employees back to work. To view this and the entire program please click here.

Ongoing: For listings of education and training resources please click here

Community Services & Resources:

Ongoing: For listings of community services and resources please click here
Members Helping Members & the Community:

New Listings:

  • Capt. Joe and Sons Reopens!
Pauline Bresnahan of Pauline’s Gifts joins Joey Ciaramitaro to celebrate the reopening of Capt. Joe & Sons
  • Second Glance to Reopen June 24. They’ve worked hard to clean, organize and reorient the space for your safety. Lots of new things including a new Donation Center by appointment only. Schedule your time now at www.foodpantry.org. Shopping hours will be Wednesday – Saturday, from 9am to 5pm.

  • Treetop Yoga Heads to the Beach! This Thursday, June 18, from 7:30 to 8:30am, join a Treetop Instructor for a one hour all-levels vinyasa class on beautiful Long Beach in front of the Cape Ann Motor Inn. Flow with views of the beach, ocean, and Twin Lights while enjoying refreshing Cape Ann breezes. Bring a towel or yoga mat and a water bottle. For more information and to register, please click here. View the Chamber’s calendar of Cape Ann community events - including virtual events - here.

  • Post and Share Your Events. Please use your online account to post your upcoming events, including virtual events, on our online community calendars. These are valuable resources for Cape Ann residents and visitors alike, and another way to promote your business and the reopening of Cape Ann. If you need assistance in logging in to your online account, please email [email protected].  
Ongoing: For additional listings of members helping members and the community please click here .

As we learn of more creative ways that our members and our communities are adapting and responding, we will share them through all our Chamber communications channels.
Informational Resources:

For the most current information about the federal, state and local response to COVID-19 – including information of particular relevance to employers and employees – we recommend visiting the following websites: 

  • COVID-19 Command Center Update: Read MEMA’s June 11 Command Center report here.


  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, including public health advisories, business resources and government services, please visit here.

  • Department of Public Health: Stay at Home Advisory. For details click here.







For information and updates specific to one’s local community, we recommend visiting the following city and town websites for Cape Ann:





Our goal as always is to serve as a trusted resource in providing our business community and residents with helpful information and guidance during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The members of your team here at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce are here for you, as we all pull together to meet and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
We at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.

If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Vince Mainetti at [email protected]