Salem's October Club Aims To Turn Halloween Tourism Boom Into Lasting Impact

SALEM, MA — As the massive crowds come and go across the Witch City during Halloween month, nearly three dozen Salem businesses are partnering with The Salem Pantry to help turn the tourism boom into a lasting impact for those who experience food insecurity in the region.

The Salem Pantry said 32 businesses are part of this year's October Club, which has raised more than $36,000 for Pantry outreach and operations.

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"Each October, 1.2 million people visit Salem, generating an extraordinary economic impact,” said Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem and Vice Chair of The Salem Pantry Board of Directors, who helped shape the idea for The October Club in 2023.

"The October Club gives us a new way to recycle that spending in the local economy, channeling visitor dollars into The Salem Pantry, where they become fresh, healthy food for families across the North Shore."

Businesses choose how they will support October Club, including the offering of exclusive items such as mugs, tote bags and jewelry, or by inviting customers to donate or by giving their own donations supported by seasonal revenue increases.

"Destination Salem is proud to participate in the October Club because it shows how tourism's economic impact can be both immediate and enduring," Judge said. "Visitor spending supports our businesses in October, and through the October Club, those same dollars extend further, helping The Salem Pantry provide fresh, healthy food and reliable access for our neighbors well beyond the busy season."

Funds raised through the October Club will directly power The Salem Pantry's programs, including The Market, the organization’s no-cost grocery store in downtown Salem mobile pantry sites serving six cities across the North Shore, a home delivery program, and a distribution hub that supports food assistance organizations regionwide.

"The October Club has rapidly become a strong example of how local businesses can collaborate with nonprofits to positively impact their community," said Hannah Beth Hembree, Development Director for The Salem Pantry. "The support from these local businesses helps us meet the increasing demand and allows us to continue providing reliable access to food for thousands of households."

Participating businesses in 2025 include: A&J King Artisan Bakers, Black Cat Curiosity's, Cinema Salem, Coffee Time Bake Shop, Couch Dog, Coven's Cottage, Curly Girl Candy Shop, Deacon Giles INC, Destination Salem, District Trading Company, Gulu Gulu Cafe, Habanero Cycles, HausWitch Home + Healing, Heart Lynx, The Hive, Hive and Forge, Jenni Stuart Art, Koto/Annie's Market, Ledger, Modern Millie, Moody's Gifts, Nocturne, Notch Brewery & Tap Room - Salem, Pamplemousse, Salem Bespoke Boutique, Salem Style, The Good Witch of Salem, The Village Tavern, The Witchery, Whimsy’s Sweet Life, Witch City Gift Shop/Salem Historical Tours, and Witch Tees.

Got here for a full list of participating October Club businesses and more information on how to support The Salem Pantry.

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(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.)