Community Spotlight Peabody, Massachusetts 

The North Shore Alliance, or the “Alliance,” prides itself on supporting economic development initiatives across the 30 communities and four Gateway Cities of the North Shore of Massachusetts. Each month we will be conducting a community highlight. We will be taking a look at some of these communities, where they stand economically, and highlight commercial development sites that may be of interest to our readers. 

This month we will be taking a closer look at the town of Peabody, Massachusetts, a city located at the nexus of Route 128, Interstate 95, and U.S. Route 1. 

What’s New in Peabody? 

Peabody is always on the move and looking for new and innovative ways to attract and retain businesses in its bustling downtown area and in technology and industrial parks across the city. Peabody’s North Shore Mall is also expanding and changing with the needs of people in the region. 

Diversity Catalog

Peabody recently participated in the launch of a Diversity Catalog. The Cities of Salem, Beverly, Peabody, Lynn, and the Towns of Swampscott and Marblehead partnered in March 2021 to launch the North Shore Diversity Catalog, a regional vendor registry for minority – and women-owned businesses (MWBE). The municipalities have again come together to continue and expand the Catalog for 2022.

The goal of the catalog is to use it as a marketing tool for businesses that wish to offer their services and/or products to residents and to other businesses and institutions within the North Shore area. This catalog also helps communities improve equity and diversity in municipal contracts and bids.

Economic Development Liaison

Mayor Ted Bettencourt’s Chief of Staff, Chris Ryder, has been made the city’s permanent business and economic development liaison. The position was left vacant after Debbie MacGregor retired in March 2020.

Ryder is particularly focused on helping restaurants bounce back this year. With many kitchens and front of houses still short-staffed, he assisted the Peabody Chamber of Commerce in organizing a networking forum this spring with local restaurant owners and culinary program directors from Peabody High and Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School.

North Shore Mall Evolution 

If you’ve driven by the North Shore Mall recently, you may have noticed some changes to the mall from pre-pandemic times. There is a new entrance between Legal Sea Foods and Chipotle Mexican Grill, providing shoppers with enhanced access to stores in the center of the mall such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and GAP.

Additionally, Life Time Fitness, ​​a luxury athletic resort, has constructed a nearly 114,000-square-foot athletic lifestyle resort. The resort includes such features as indoor and outdoor pools and a bistro. Schedule a tour to find out more about their membership options and how this can become an activity destination for your whole family.