Marblehead chamber mulls signs for local businesses

MARBLEHEAD – The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce wants to post some new signs to encourage shopping at local businesses.Gene Arnould of Arnould Framery and Gallery, one of downtown Marblehead?s successful businesses for 34 years, visited selectmen to show them a sample, a circular sign bearing the messages “Keep it local” and “Shop Marblehead.”?People think there?s a flood of tourist business every summer but that just ain?t so,” Arnould said. “Local business is most of our business.”The chamber board of directors came up with the idea after witnessing a series of downtown business closings after Jan. 1.?Anyone who walks around town knows some of the shops have closed,” Selectman Judy Jacobi said.Arnould pointed out that “Retail business in Marblehead is standing tall,” that new businesses are taking the place of the departed ones and most of the vacated locations are under agreement by new tenants.?They?re filling up,” he said.Signs reminding Marbleheaders to shop local are destined for signposts around town.?We applaud your effort,” said Selectman James Nye. “Is there anything we can do to help?”When Arnould asked for a vote in favor of the signs Selectmen Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker reminded him that placement of signs is a matter for the building department.Board members unanimously voted to approve the concept.