"I am principle of Bait & Tackle, an ad agency that eventually caved to the daily requests and began stocking its freezer with herring (which we give away all summer when people stop by for bait on their way to the back shore). We're located in the marine industrial zoned Beacon Marine Building in East Gloucester. Prior to B&T, Charba was here for 20-odd years. You can still see their bright, whimsical art all around East Gloucester. Like our Beacon Marine space, Gloucester is an unusual place with an equally unusual brand of hospitality for creative businesses and their creative economy.
Working as a creative in the feature film industry in Los Angeles for the better part of a decade eventually stifled my own creativity. I left California vowing to pursue only the kind of work that satisfies my unrelenting will to create, and Gloucester has allowed me to keep that contract. Its banks, the interest of its people, and my colleagues here - colleagues like Gallo Productions, SeaArts, Robert Newton and his film series at Gloucester Stage, Henry Ferrini, Haggman Agency, and artist, Jon Sarkin - are some of the reasons I cite for the affirmation this place gives me and my company.
“Today’s economic climate” seems to be the unwanted catchphrase of the moment. Everybody’s using it, and everybody fears what it could mean for themselves, their families, their businesses and their community.
But with the impending recession, today we must turn to each other in ways that yesterday’s lightening-fast pace would never have allowed.
For this, I am thankful to be in Gloucester - suffering, struggling, collaborating, and (one day down the road) celebrating with my friends and colleagues for the things we found during these rugged and stingy times in this, the most rugged and generous of places.
-Chad Carlberg"
Chad Carlberg
Creative Director
Bait & Tackle Ad Company
211 East Main St. Gloucester, MA 01930
978.283.3140
I agree with Chad about all that surrounds us being inspirational and something to be grateful for. Even in tough times there is something about being by the sea, the marshes, the creative people and all the beauty of the North Shore that makes the day feel a little better. Most days the beauty of the local landscape is inspiring enough to make me stop the car and shoot (w/my camera) a march scene, wildlife or piece of NE architecture. I carry those great feelings with me to the next appointment or into the office. That's a world away from print & tradeshow deadlines and marketing meetings but it sure takes the edge off.
ReplyDeleteYeah, got to keep looking up, keep the edge. Keep connections old and new and get out from behind your flat screen.
ReplyDeleteStorms always end, even perfect ones.