There is something contagious about Karen Scalia’s enthusiasm for Salem and its denizens. Known about town as a bit of a hot ticket, Scalia is one of the city’s most energetic champions. The owner of Salem Food Tours is equal parts historian, foodie, and creative talent, which is why her Coffee Walks are such a pleasure.
“It’s about rediscovering your down- town and connecting to the source,” says Scalia of her latest venture. “My grandparents and their [siblings] were craftspeople, so I really appreciated things being made in front of me,” she notes. “I felt much more connected because I would see their genesis.”
Whether from Nebraska, New Jersey, Maine, or neighboring Peabody, guests on her Coffee Walks depart with a deeper appreciation of what it means to “buy local.”
Before she leaves the house to do her own holiday shopping, Scalia makes a checklist of what she knows can be purchased locally. Then, she sets out to do just that.
A few of her top suggestions for where to find quality gifts include Melita Fiore, where almond flour French macaroons in Tiffany boxes beckon; Joe’s Fresh Fish Prints, where the artist combines his love of fishing and the Japanese gyotaku technique; Wicked Good Books, where titles like Forgotten Drinks of Colonial Cooking and What Salem Dames Cooked tickle many a foodie’s funny bone; and Pamplemousse, where locally made mead, bulk Calivirgin olive oil, and handsewn aprons by a Swampscott artist make thoughtful gifts.
“One of the things I love about shopping locally is that I feel like it is a double gift,” says Scalia. “When I make that purchase in a locally owned shop, I am giving my hard-earned money to the shop owner, who has spent the time going to trade shows or connecting with chefs or talking to purveyors, and I am buying something they have put out as one of their wares,” she explains. “The second gift is giving it—it is such a pleasure to give something special and unique. Everybody wins.”
While guiding tour takers through the downtown historic district, Scalia makes special note of all the restaurants using locally sourced ingredients and describes many of the dishes and little delights for which each is known. The 22-year-old Caffe? Graziana, for instance, has the best lemon ricotta pancakes on the North Shore—who knew? She also shares little tidbits like the fact that Life Alive uses a steamer to lock in all those flavors for which they are famous—they don’t even have a stove!
In addition to her call for conscientious consumption, Scalia tells historic fact from fiction. Coffee walkers may hear her talk about Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone signal, which was sent from Salem’s lyceum (now Turner’s Seafood); or the Parker Brothers factory where “The Landlord’s Game,” i.e., Monopoly got its start; or the differences between colonial, Victorian, and modern cemeteries. She may tell the story of prisoners at the Salem jail petitioning to keep it running because it offered a view of pedestrian life, or she could talk about the 40 active wharves that once comprised Front Street. Whatever she pulls from her treasure trove of tales, it is sure to be fascinating.
Whether Scalia is showing support for artisans, giving a lively history lesson, or sharing a bite, she makes her point: Live locally. “I think there is an opportunity to go back and revisit where we live and connect to our things. It just adds a lot of value and spirit to the holiday season.” salemfoodtours.com