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Did you know these Chelsea businesses have something in common; all are owned by women

Photo by Lisa Carolin. Dana McGrath, owner of La Maison on Main Street one of a number of woman-owned businesses in the city.
Photo by Lisa Carolin. Dana McGrath, owner of La Maison on Main Street one of a number of woman-owned businesses in the city.

By Lisa Carolin

There are many businesses in Chelsea owned by women, ranging from the Tree House indoor playground on South Main Street, owned by Michele Balaka, to the office of Susan Jacobs, owned by the eponymous Certified Public Accountant.

Bonnie Cook owns three downtown Chelsea businesses – the Potting Shed located on Middle Street, the Potting Shed on Main, and Cut Loose Clothing.

Cook summed it up when she said, “Women are the shoppers, and women know women.”

Some of the other businesses owned by women include Zou Zou’s Cafe, Hair by Trios, La Maison and Chelsea Village Flowers, owned by Jennifer Bollinger.

“As far as being a woman and a business owner, when you put your all into something and treat people the way they want to be treated, that’s the heart of a successful business,” said Bollinger.

Gigi Batsakis owns Gigi’s Flowers and Gifts and says that she’s spent 20 years at her current location and used the time to learn what people like and dislike.

“Being accountable is very important as is admitting when you’re wrong,” said Batsakis, who credits her time working with Pharmacist Dan Murphy at the Chelsea Drug Store with teaching her to be a good businessperson.

Photo by Lisa Carolin. Ashley Cook inside the Potting Shed.
Photo by Lisa Carolin. Ashley Cook inside the Potting Shed.

“It’s about learning your market and then marketing what you’ve got. We have a great town and the people are very loyal,” she said.

Other woman-owned businesses include The Garden Mill, which will celebrate its third anniversary in July with its second female owner, Jennifer Fairfield, Moran’s Consignment, The Attic Boutique, and Vintage Barn Boutique, which is owned by Cathy Melton.

“I love the fact that East Middle Street businesses are now 100 percent owned by women,” said Melton. “There is strength in numbers and each one of us strongly supports each other. There is a special camaraderie with women-owned businesses. We appreciate the difficulties we each go through with balancing and raising a family while at the same time building successful businesses. You have to respect that because it isn’t easy.”

Carolyn McNagny, who owns Bumbles Dry Goods, says that all of Chelsea’s businesses get a lot of support from the residents.

“It’s a great place to run a business, and a lot of people who live in town go out of their way to try to find what they’re looking for here before they take their business elsewhere,” said McNagny. “There is always something going on in Chelsea, and everybody seems to be involved in the town’s success,”

Woman-owned businesses continue to pop up. Earlier this year, Alison Mackie opened the Chelsea Underground Art Gallery on South Main Street. Coming up in July, Sue Whitmarsh and Marie Brooks will be opening Breathe Yoga studio on East Middle Street.

(Publisher’s note: If we missed any businesses in Chelsea owned by women, let us know.)

File Photo of Jennifer Fairfield, owner of the Garden Mill.
File Photo of Jennifer Fairfield, owner of the Garden Mill.
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6 thoughts on “Did you know these Chelsea businesses have something in common; all are owned by women”

  1. How about Lindsey Dahl’s art studio. And then there is Wags to Wiskers. Check both of these out.

  2. Lisa Carolin, what a great article! However, how are you defining “business?” You might also want to include services, such as Lisa Allmendinger’s irreplaceable “Chelsea Update,” and the various physicians, lawyers, beauticians, real estate agents, etc., who offer/maintain their solely-owned businesses. Even with a “walk-in-off-the-street criteria, I’ll bet we’ll hear about more!!!

  3. All of this reminds me of Rick De Troyer’s inspiration / vision for his statue “Spirit of Chelsea” (which is exhibiting at Chelsea Underground Art Gallery btw) Rick: “The idea for this piece came from the 175th birthday of the city of Chelsea. I was involved in the planning for the event and thought.”Why do we always think back?” When the settlers of Chelsea formed this town I’m sure they all were thinking,” just wait and see what we look like in 10 yrs, 100 yrs, in 175 yrs.” So I, too, look out 175 years to 2184. I believe the Clock tower will still be standing. I believe the city will be, not only beautiful, but reflective of the best for all its citizens. I see women taking on more leadership, and the arts ever more present.” ~ RICK DE TROYER

  4. You can add my web design business, Surelutions to the list, too. I’m quite proud to have been part of the Chelsea community for the last 10+ years, and have been lucky enough to work with quite a few of these fantastic businesses you’ve mentioned. Well done, ladies! ~Leslie

  5. Dr. Michelle Rankin Au.D. is the owner of Ascent Audiology & Hearing. I agree with Gretchen Zale, you should be listed as well with Chelsea Update!!

    Thanks for all you do!

  6. Linda Perna has owned and operated Village Hair Studio on Main Street
    for 20 years. She makes many women in the Chelsea area look their best!

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