Author: Jamie Bradley

If you’re from Reading or North Reading, you know Dandi’s isn’t just an ice cream shop—it’s a community tradition and local favorite!

Since 1992, owner Mark Maselli has been serving up more than just delicious, high-quality ice cream—he’s been creating connections, memories, and smiles. Starting with an ice cream truck in Philadelphia, Mark and his wife Lilia brought their passion to Massachusetts, running this beloved, family-owned shop that has become a true local gem.

Dandi’s prides itself on top-notch customer service, an inviting atmosphere, and a menu full of must-try flavors that keep customers coming back year after year. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time visitor, this is the spot for sweet treats and sweet moments.

Stop by Dandi’s Ice Cream in Reading this season and taste the tradition!
1331 Main St., Reading, MA
Follow them on social media & visit https://www.dandisreading.com for updates!

Supporting local businesses like Dandis keeps our community strong. The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping businesses like this grow and thrive. Want to be featured and gain more visibility for your business? Join the Chamber today! Learn more at Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce.

Meet CMIT Solutions of Merrimack Valley!

Looking for reliable, 24/7 IT support and cybersecurity for your business? CMIT Solutions offers top-tier managed IT services, cloud solutions, data backup, and more — helping businesses in North Andover, Merrimack Valley, and beyond stay secure and efficient.

 – Cybersecurity Protection
 – Data Backup & Recovery
 – IT Support & Consulting
 – Cloud Solutions

By choosing local, you’re not only getting expert IT solutions — you’re also supporting a local business that’s committed to helping our community thrive!

Learn more about CMIT Solutions:
http://www.cmitsolutions.com/merrimack-valley


Support local business and join the Chamber today!

Looking for expert building and remodeling services in Reading and North Reading, MA? Look no further than M.G. Hall Contractors, Inc., a proud member of the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce! 

With a reputation for top-quality craftsmanship and a passion for serving our community, M.G. Hall Contractors, Inc. goes above and beyond. They don’t just build and remodel homes—they help build the heart of our towns. Plus, they’re a cornerstone of our local community, supplying the beloved hayride at the Annual Tree Lighting event in North Reading and operating the cherished Ryer’s Country Store! 

By choosing M.G. Hall Contractors, Inc., you’re not only investing in your dream project but also in the growth and strength of our local economy. Let’s support local businesses that make Reading and North Reading shine!

Check them out:
Visit their website: https://mghallcontractors.com/
Stop by Ryer’s Country Store: https://www.ryersstore.com/

Ready to transform your space? Contact M.G. Hall Contractors, Inc. today to bring your vision to life! Call (978) 664-1656 today!

Our long-running Golf Outing went on hiatus in 2019 but returned in 2026 at the Hillview Golf Course in North Reading. This is a great day to get out on the course and connect with fellow Chamber members, business associates, and prominent members of the community.

The date for this year is Monday, May 18th, 2026. Once again we will have opportunities for sponsorships, vendor booths and golf foursomes.

Click here for more details on the event page.

Our Fall Beer Garden on Reading Town Common has quickly become a favorite community event, drawing hundreds of local residents and their friends to downtown Reading. The event showcases local food and beverage businesses, brings new visitors to downtown, and supports a vibrant Reading business community.

We love highlighting local and regional businesses and introducing residents to new favorites. By attending and sponsoring the Fall Beer Garden, you support local jobs, promote downtown Reading, and help create a tradition our community looks forward to every year.

Recent food and beverage vendors have included:

• Hopothecary Ales (North Reading)
• Small Change Brewing (Cambridge)
• Wandering Soul (Beverly)
• Marble Ridge Winery (North Andover)
• Empower (Reading & Woburn)

Food

• Cupcake City (Reading)
• Del Sur (Reading)
• Pizza World (Reading)
• Swiss Bakers (Reading)

For participating vendors and sponsors, the Fall Beer Garden offers a fun, relaxed way to gain visibility, connect with new customers, and build partnerships with other local businesses. Sponsor and booth registration for this event will open in late summer. The date for 2026 has not yet been set; please check back or join our email list for updates.

Whether you come for the craft beer, local food, or music and community atmosphere, we invite you to join us on the Common this fall.

North Reading Town Day is one of the signature events hosted by the Chamber. Town Day has become one of the most successful annual events in North Reading with an estimated 3-4,000 attendees. We are excited to bring this event back in 2026. The date is Sunday, September 20 from 11am-3pm.

Thanks to the support from the local community and the businesses who sponsor Town Day, we exceeded our capacity in 2025. We had over 90 vendor booths, 12 food vendors, and lots of entertainment options that brought families from throughout the area to Ipswich River Park in North Reading.

For 2026, we will be limiting registration to the first 80 vendors who register and pay their booth fee. 
We will be limiting our Food Vendors to 10 trucks and booths.
The fees will remain unchanged.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Booth exhibitors get to meet face to face with new potential customers. Sponsors get wide ranging exposure throughout the region and elevate your business as a valuable member of the community. Several sponsorship levels include the cost of your booth.

Winterfest is the annual outdoor celebration of downtown Reading. Established in 2022, it was created by the Chamber to bring the community together in a family-friendly environment as the coldest days of winter start to fade. This is a free event, with activities paid for by local sponsors.

This year there will be fire tables and s’mores, music, local food and beer vendors, lit ice sculptures, and more. Stroll the downtown, pop into stores and restaurants, and make memories.

Our next Winterfest is scheduled for March 5, 2026 from 5-8pm on Reading Town Common.

Get Seen by Your Local Customers

Sponsoring at Winterfest demonstrates your commitment to the local community. Some sponsorships include the opportunity to have your own booth to share information and speak directly to new and potential customers. You can learn more about participating either with a booth and/or sponsorship by visiting our event page.

The Tree Lighting Celebrations hosted by the Chamber happen when the holiday lights on the Town Commons in Reading and North Reading are first lit for the season. These two events happen simultaneously on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and have become treasured traditions that bring out thousands of local residents.

Typical activities provided by the Chamber include (activities differ by location):

• Local Food vendors like Del Sur Empanadas and Cupcake City
• Hayrides on closed local streets
• Trolley rides
• Pictures with Santa at Reading Cooperative Bank
• Stilt walkers, balloon animals, jugglers, face painters, carolers, and more.
• Youth performances by local Dance and Martial Arts Studios
• Performances by high school marching bands and chorus groups
• The big moment when Santa arrives by firetruck at the Common where an excited crowd chants a countdown before Santa turns on the lights for the season.

These events are free to attend, with all costs for activities paid for through sponsorships from local businesses, Chamber memberships, and occasional grants when available.

In addition, local churches and groups provide additional activities, like:

• Tours of historic buildings provided by the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society
• Manger scene and a petting zoo provided by local North Reading churches
• Kraft and music events at local reading churches

Our next Tree Lighting Celebration events are scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026. Be sure to follow our events by subscribing to our newsletter.