Summary of Chamber Activity 2023/2024
Chamber Initiatives
Common House Stoneham
The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce and RE/MAX Andrew Realty Services partnered to offer Common House Stoneham, a pop-up community space at 335 Main Street, Suite 103 on September 4.
Recognizing that the need for office space has changed with the option for agents to work remotely, RE/MAX Andrew Realty Services Broker/Owner John Veneziano sought an innovative solution to maintain an office in Stoneham. That opportunity presented itself when the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce needed a downtown location for a pop-up community center. RE/MAX Andrew Realty Services agents will continue to work out of the office, while the Chamber transforms the main part of the space into a vibrant hub of programming and retail to showcase Stoneham Square and the community.
“RE/MAX Andrew Realty Services has a long history in Stoneham, and we’re excited to continue being a one-stop real estate resource while opening our space up to the community,” said Veneziano.
The Chamber will collaborate with local businesses, community groups, and residents to fill Common House Stoneham with programs and activities for all ages. “We’re excited that this downtown community space will offer programming, facilitate community connections, and generate foot traffic in Stoneham Square. In keeping with the Chamber’s More Happens Here campaign, we hope to have something for everyone at Common House Stoneham, whether you get a cup of coffee from a local business and stop by to enjoy the quiet space or attend one of our workshops or performances,” said Executive Director Megan Day.
Common House Stoneham is possible thanks to funding secured through Senator Jason Lewis and the MA Office of Travel and Tourism. “One of the best ways to build a more resilient community is through fostering connections with our friends and neighbors,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I am thrilled to see the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce launch Common House Stoneham to encourage local businesses, residents, and visitors to spend some time relaxing and mingling together. We lost so much during the pandemic, now is the time to rebuild our critical social fabric to ensure our cities and towns continue to be places we love to call home.”
Visit stonehamchamber.org/ pop-up-community-space to check out the Common House Stoneham event calendar, sign up to volunteer, or suggest programming.
Stoneham Common House Planning Committee Jennifer Hodgdon (Point Person Events), Mara Bangura (Green Earth Organizing), Laura Olifiers (RE/MAX Andrew Realty Services), Claudia Prodero (Ceramica), Jeff Buxton (BIZ-ID) Monica Canova, (Andrew Realty Services), Megan Cullen (Winchester Hospital), Tiffany Dennen (Tiffany Dennen Productions), Heather Mell (Greater Boston Stage Company), Raymie Parker (Select Board), Reem Rajeh, (Salem Five).
Downtown Banner Initiative
In September, new banners were hung in Stoneham Square through a partnership between the Chamber, the Stoneham Historical Society & Museum, and the Stoneham Department of Public Works. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 300 Years” in honor of Stoneham’s Tricentennial in 2025 and feature vignettes from Stoneham, Yesterday and Today, a mural painted by Richard M. Gibney in 1968, now restored and housed at the Stoneham Historical Society & Museum.
Downtown Merchants Group, Breakfast Networking at Pignone’s Cafe and Common House Coffee + Networking
The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce resumed convening a Downtown Merchants group that met bi-monthly in 2024 at the Greater Boston Stage Company. The purpose of the group is to connect Stoneham Square businesses to one another, discuss upcoming events, and understand the priorities for downtown business owners. Added to our small group business networking opportunities are the bi-monthly Breakfast Networking at Pignone’s Cafe and the bi-weekly Common House Coffee + Networking.
Stoneham’s Tricentennial Celebration
The Stoneham Chamber represents the business community on Stoneham’s 300th Anniversary Committee.
Chamber Gift Certificate Program
The Chamber Gift Certificate program began in 2021 as a benefit to members where 100 percent of the proceeds go back to the business the gift certificate is redeemed at. During the holiday season, the chamber partners with the local PTOs to sell gift certificates as a fundraiser. To date, we have sold nearly 900 gift certificates, amounting in more than 16K spent at Stoneham businesses.
Chamber Events
Stoneham Chamber Golf Tournament
On May 6, the Golf Committee welcomed more than 100 golfers to the Indian Ridge Golf Tournament for the 33rd annual tournament. Thanks to our sponsors:
- Long-term Title Sponsor: Salem Five Bank and Salem Five Insurance
- Lunch Sponsor: StonehamBank
- Snack Cart Sponsor: Northern Bank
- Dinner and Beverage Cart Sponsor: Stoneham Ford
- Longest Drive Sponsor: Better Business Bureau
- Putting Contest Sponsor: ServPro
- Tee sign sponsors: Adams Kitchen, Boys & Girls Club, Christine’s Sweet Shoppe, Comcast Business, PDA Dental Group, Play It Again Sports, Prestige Homes Real Estate, Rapids Liquor, Stoneham Ford, Zoo New England
- Those who donated raffle and silent auction items: BFM Driving Range, Boston Harbor City Cruises, Boston Scally, The Cutting Studio, Evivva Tratorria, FootJoy, Golf Galaxy, Golfer’s Warehouse, Indian Ridge Country Club, Rapid Liquors, Red Lotus Nail & Spa, and Topgolf
- StretchLab for offering complimentary stretches before the tournament
Thanks also to the Golf Tournament Planning Committee members:
- Dr. Bruce Doyle, DMD
- Megan Henaghan, Nobility Hill Tavern,
- Devon Marrocco, Cummings Properties
- Rosanna Rodriguez, Northern Bank
- Adelia Del Trecco, Prestige Homes Real Estate
- Monica Canova, RE/MAX Realty Services
Chamber Legislative Breakfast
The state budget, housing, and immigration were discussed at the annual Chamber Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Stoneham, Reading-North Reading, and Wakefield-Lynnfield Chambers in February. Other topics included what legislators are doing to strengthen local economic development, how the state is supporting building and renovation of school buildings, and the MCAS requirement for high school graduation.
Senator Jason Lewis hosted the panel, which featured Senator Bruce Tarr, Senator Brendan Crighton, Representative Rich Haggerty, Representative Brad Jones, Representative Donald Wong, and Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian.
Multi-Chamber Networking Events
Multi-Chamber offerings continue to grow and were held on a near monthly basis in 2023/24. Multi-Chambers are a collaboration of the Arlington, Burlington, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Reading/North Reading, Wakefield, Waltham, Wilmington/Tewksbury, Winchester, Woburn, and Stoneham Chambers.
In 2023/24, multi-chamber networking events were held at various locations including Birdie Bar, Giggles Comedy Club, Serenity in the City, Stoneham Bank, Summer Shack, and Work Bar. Chamber members also participated in the Multi-Chamber Business Expo hosted by the Waltham Chamber.
Other events the Chamber participated in included ribbon cuttings for Accutemp Engineering, Black Diamond Event Productions, Christine’s Sweet Shoppe & More, Howard C. Porter Art Gallery at Stoneham TV, StretchLab Stoneham, The Watchmaker, and more.
Community Events
Halloween Storefront Window Painting
One of the events offered during Covid that the Chamber continues to offer due to its popularity is the Halloween Storefront Window Painting project. One week prior to Halloween, the Chamber organizes a day of painting Stoneham Square windows to make them festive for Halloween. Each year, the event grows; this year 50 windows were painted with festive designs.
Halloween Stroll
The Chamber partnered with Stoneham TV and the Stoneham Recreation Department to offer the 14th Annual Halloween Stroll. This event continues to grow in popularity with inflatables, games, crafts, and activities on the Town Common to complement the trick-or-treating in Stoneham Square. This year’s event was sponsored by Platinum sponsors StonehamBank and Stoneham Ford, Gold sponsor Salem Five Bank, Silver sponsor Northern Bank, and Bronze sponsor Stone Zoo.
More Cheer Happens Here
The Chamber now hosts a series of events for the holiday season to bring holiday shoppers to Stoneham Businesses. The More Cheer Happens Here initiative is designed to embrace the town’s branding identity and emphasize the experiences offered uniquely in Stoneham. Offerings included the Winter Arts + Crafts Fair, the Tree Lighting on the Common, and the Holiday Parade. Additionally, every year the chamber purchases holiday lights to brighten the Town Common and Downtown Business District. This year the Stoneham Department of Public Works extended the holiday light display to Stoneham Square.
Winter Arts + Crafts Fair
In 2023, the Chamber partnered with the Stoneham Art Group to offer the 3rd Annual Winter Arts + Crafts Fair in the Stoneham Town Hall Auditorium to complement the Annual Tree Lighting. More than 50 vendors participated.
Tree Lighting on the Common
Residents filled the Common for the annual Tree Lighting held on November 26 and hosted by StonehamBank. Activities included visits with Santa, a train ride for kids offered by the Stoneham Recreation Department, craftmaking and activities, hot chocolate and snacks provided by Salem Five Bank, the Memory Tree, holiday music provided by Spinner Music Productions, and caroling with the Stoneham Girl Scouts. The event culminated with the official tree lighting by StonehamBank at 4:45 PM. The tree lighting display and holiday decorations were made possible by the Stoneham Department of Public Works. The event was organized by committee members Veronica St. Cyr (Stirling Brandworks), Karyn Millerick (The Dirty Doodle), Claudia Prodero (Ceramica Paint Studio), and Reem Rajeh (Salem Five Bank).
Menorah Lighting on the Common
The Chamber partnered with Chabad of the Northshore to present the town’s first menorah lighting on the Common.
Holiday Parade
The 4th Annual Holiday Parade was held in partnership with Stoneham Recreation, Stoneham’s Police and Fire Departments and local community and youth groups. Decorated floats, emergency vehicles, holiday characters, and Santa travel the streets of Stoneham on a Saturday morning. Initially offered as an alternative to in-person holiday events in 2020, the popularity of this event remains strong as families gather on the streets along the entire route. This event was sponsored by Spartan Ace Hardware, Liberty Bell, and Stoneham Ford.
Health + Wellness Expo
In April, the chamber hosted the 13th Annual Health + Wellness Expo in partnership with Winchester Hospital. The Health & Wellness Expo connects wellness services to the people who need them. This year, more than 40 health and wellness professionals participated. The Health + Wellness Committee was comprised of Dr. Diane Bonnani, DMD, Megan Cullen (Winchester Hospital), Eric Bergstrom (Stoneham Financial Services), and Karyn Millerick (The Dirty Doodle).
Stoneham Pride Celebration
The Stoneham Chamber serves on the Stoneham Pride Committee to represent the business community in providing support to the LGBTQIA+ members Stoneham. Through a generous donation from Eastern Bank, the chamber offered tee shirts, activities, and games at the event.
Summer Concert Series
The Chamber Summer Concert Committee offered seven concerts in June, July, and August featuring music of various genres including big band and classic rock. The Chamber also hosted two beer gardens in conjunction with the concerts.
The Summer Concert Committee was comprised of Debbie Catalano (Catalano Creative), Valerie Giglio (Giglio & Sampson), Megan Cullen (Winchester Hospital), and Heather Mell (Greater Boston Stage Company).
Business Plan Review at Stoneham High School
Every year, Stoneham High School students taking Economics develop business plans for ideas to pitch in a Shark Tank type exercise. Chamber members join students in the classroom and lend their expertise to assist them with their business plans. The purpose of this exercise is to focus on business plan development; students can ask specific questions to help them improve the plans they have been putting together as part of their coursework. This year, Eric Bergstrom (Stoneham Financial Services), Julianne Curtis (The Energy Barre), Mary Kelly (C21 Property Central Inc.), Lisa Farrell (Food rEvolution), Tyler Hanlon and Christopher Macombe (StonehamBank), and Rosanna Rodriguez and Justin Thomas (Northern Bank) all mentored students for this project.
Stoneham Town Day
The 40th Annual Town Day was held on Sept. 21 and title sponsored by Northern Bank and Winchester Hospital. This year, Town Day featured more than 100 vendors stretching to all ends of the Common. Despite the rain, attendance was steady. The Town Day Committee was led by Chamber Members Eric Bergstrom (Stoneham Financial Services), Dr. Diane Bonnani, DMD, Jeff Buxton (BIZ ID), Lisa Farrell (Food rEvolution), and Karyn Millerick (The Dirty Doodle).