Peabody Small Business Owner Launches Ward 2 City Council Campaign

PEABODY, MA — A three-decade Peabody resident and Main Street small business owner is launching her bid to become the next Ward 2 representative on the City Council.

Wendy Lattof is a mother of two children and the founder and owner of Create & Escape DIY Workshops on Main Street in Downtown Peabody.

"Peabody is the place where I raised my two kids and achieved my dream of starting my own business," Lattof said. "I love this community, and Ward 2 and downtown have a special place in my heart. I'm running for Ward 2 City Councilor because my fellow residents deserve to be represented by a responsive councilor who will advocate for better local government and a stronger local economy.

"I'll work hard to ensure that the City of Peabody makes life more affordable, downtown more vibrant, and improves the condition and safety of roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure. I am committed to making Ward 2 and the city of Peabody a better place for our families and our entire community."

Current Ward 2 Councilor Peter McGinn recently indicated he is not running for re-election.

Lattof said being a mother and small business owner gives her a unique perspective of Ward 2 from the past seven years and provides her a "lens into our community on both the challenges and assets of Main Street."

"Watching us struggle through COVID and witnessing the resilience of the community and our small businesses is part of what inspired me to run to represent Ward 2," she said. "I look forward to working alongside my fellow small business owners and neighbors to find creative, collaborative ways to breathe new life into Main Street and Downtown Peabody. I'm committed to being a strong voice for the residents of Ward 2 and making it an even better place to live — bringing a distinctive point of view shaped by both community experience and small business leadership."

She has been a Peabody resident for nearly 30 years, and her community involvement includes volunteer work with Peabody Main Streets, Peabody Little League, Carroll School PTO, and the Carroll School Playground Project. A graduate of Endicott College in Beverly, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a specialization in Entrepreneurial Studies.

She has held sales and business analyst roles with Nike/Converse, TJX, and Keurig/Dr. Pepper.

"In the weeks and months ahead, I'll be connecting with my neighbors to listen to their ideas about how we can build a better Ward 2 for everyone, from young adults to working families to seniors," Lattof said. "I look forward to earning their vote."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)