Pickering Wharf

The development of Pickering Wharf came about when Picking Oil Company sold the land at 50 percent of its assessed value, in exchange for permission to move its oil tanks farther down Derby Street near the New England Power Plant. Salem Five Cents Saving Bank, along with three partners bought the property for $315,000 and then spent $15 million to develop it into a mixed-use design. there would be condominiums, restaurants, retail stores and a marina.

Construction began around 1977 and the Pickering Wharf was opened in 1979. In addition to restaurants (Chase House and Victoria Station) and boutiques and a marina. The plan was to re-create an 18th century shopping village. Another focal point was the multi-media show called "Voyage of the India Star"theater which highlighted Salem's maritime history. This show was closed after only five years. Salem was still known mostly as the "Witch City" and still unknown as a historic seaport.

Some of the other stores from the first days are Peter Barter Flowers and Colonial Gifts, Bewitching Yarn, Country Curtains, Crabtree and Evelyn, Pappagallo's shoes, Putnam Pantry Candies, Regina Pizzeria and Stoned Elephant Gifts.