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Farewell to Nikki

Photo by Lisa Carolin. Nikki hanging out at the Chelsea Farmers Market.

By Lisa Carolin

When my partner Suzanne Murray and I formed our baking business — LA Baguette — and became vendors at the Chelsea Farmers Market in 2012, I suggested we include a secret ingredient-Nikki.

She was my West Highland White Terrier, whom I was convinced could help us sell French baked goods-a picture of a Westie wearing a French beret and French flag colored scarf on every LA Baguette label as well as an in-person mascot.

Nikki quickly became quite the baguette seller. She was personable, easy going, gentle with children, and delighted to be socializing at the dog-friendly market.

Customers would stop by to greet the friendly pup, and Suzanne would invite them to look at our products. Customers ate it up, literally, by which time Nikki was pulling in the next would-be buyers.

On the first day of the 2022 Saturday Chelsea Market, I left Nikki at home because she was sleeping so soundly. She wasn’t accustomed to the early wake up and arrival, and at age 15, it was more of an effort. Customers kept asking where Nikki was that day. Nikki didn’t miss another market, and magically awakened every week thereafter, as if she knew her attendance was expected.

As the season rolled on, Nikki chose to spend more time in the hybrid car requesting air conditioning on hot days, and a warm car on cold ones. Nothing was more important than her comfort.

As if she knew the market schedule, Nikki was present right through the final 2022 Chelsea outdoor market on Oct. 29.

On Halloween night, Nikki went outside just before bedtime as she’d always done, but this time she didn’t return. We found her, or rather her body the next day. At nearly 16-years-of-age, it was Nikki’s time to die.

I want to share the news with all of you who have welcomed Nikki to the Chelsea markets for more than a decade. Her image lives on with our labels, and her love lives on through our gratitude to be part of Chelsea and interacting with all of you. Thank you for welcoming my little white dog all these years.

She was a precious gift.

Photo by Lisa Carolin. Nikki at the Chelsea Farmers Market.
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