Chatham

Tradition and charm remains its No. 1 asset, but second-home owners, new businesses and technology alter Chatham’s economic landscape.

Chatham is a world unto itself – but that world doesn’t end with the sidewalks of Main Street. In addition to a thriving downtown area that attracts people by the scores, there are other parts of town that have their own charms.

Like their counterparts in surrounding Cape towns, Chatham businesses struggle with the challenges of a seasonal economy. While the busy summer months bring an influx of new and returning customers, year-round businesses also need the increasingly popular “shoulder seasons” of spring and fall. For some businesses, such as restaurants, the loyalty of year-round residents is key, and resorts cater to weddings and holiday events. While traditional advertising still works, an increasing number of businesses are using the Internet to draw people in – or in many cases, to drum up virtual business.

We interviewed Tom Bernardo and Gus Johnson, the former and new presidents, respectively, of the Chatham Merchants Association, about Chatham – its strengths and its opportunities. Johnson owns Christmas Joy of Chatham; Bernardo is founder of Chatham Business Assistance, specializing in assisting the small business community.

The arts clearly abound in Chatham, a town that is home to three dance studios, two theater companies, a number of galleries and a thriving Creative Arts Center, which offers classes and events all year.

Cape Business recently spoke with Paul Parker, director of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association in North Chatham, about the importance of the fishing industry to Chatham’s economy.