Letter: This Summer, Let Amherst Be Your Destination

by Pat Ononibaku, Jeff Bagg, Jacob Robinson and John Page

A unified call to support local from Amherst economic ecosystem leaders: the Amherst Business Improvement District, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Black Business Association of the Amherst Area, and the Town of Amherst Department of Planning and Economic Development.

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This summer, let the Amherst area be your destination. With the colleges quieter, parking is easier and the pace slows down just enough to relish things. The town reveals a different, unhurried side of itself.

Savor the outdoor dining for a coffee, a cocktail, a frozen yogurt, an ice cream cone, or a bite of global cuisine. Explore the cafes, bakeries, noodle shops, and eateries that range from neighborhood breakfast spots to farm-to-table dinners. Many of these businesses are owned by people of color, immigrants, and lifelong Amherst-area residents whose stories are woven into the food they serve.

Treat yourself to a haircut, enjoy a relaxing spa experience, or a yoga or dance class. Browse the independent bookstores and retail shops that carry handmade goods curated by an actual human, not an algorithm—clothes, shoes, gifts, jewelry, and things you simply won’t find anywhere else.

From Downtown to the Mill District in North Amherst. Pomeroy Village to College Street. Cushman to Atkins Corner. Hadley to Belchertown to Sunderland and beyond—a constellation of village centers and surrounding towns, each with its own reasons to stop and stay awhile.

And beyond the storefronts: catch a film at our art-house cinema or a band at our live music venues. Enjoy summer festivals, beautiful trails and outdoor greenspaces, and the Saturday Farmers Market on the Common. Explore the art, culture, and museums that make this corner of the Valley iconic.

Our small businesses give the Valley its grit, creativity, and sense of community. This summer is a wonderful time to bask in all the Amherst area has to offer. Dedicate an afternoon to exploring somewhere new!

When we choose to support a local business, arts venue, or cultural institution, we invest in our community’s present- and long-term success. These everyday choices support the barbers and bakers, chefs and shopkeepers, artists and entrepreneurs who make this community special.

We invite you to support local businesses throughout the Amherst area this summer. Whether you’re visiting for a day, staying for a weekend, or rediscovering your own backyard, you’ll find experiences worth savoring and businesses worth supporting. Together, we can keep our community thriving! 

Pat Ononibaku, President of the Black Business Association of the Amherst Area 

Jeff Bagg, Town of Amherst Director of Planning & Economic Development

Jacob Robinson, Executive Director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

John Page, Executive Director of the Amherst Business Improvement District