Q&A: Canal District leader sees bright future ahead of second WooSox season
Photo | Nathan Fiske
Amy Chase, CEO of The Crompton Collective and The Haberdash
Owner
Businesses: Crompton Collective, Haberdash, and The White Room
Locations: 4; Crompton and Haberdash in Worcester, as well as Haberdash in Hudson & Harwich Port
Founded: 2012
Employees: 21 across the companies
Her birthplace: Worcester
Residence: Worcester
Age: 41
Education: Worcester Vocational High School & Quinsigamond Community College, in Worcester
More Information
Two years into the pandemic, Worcester’s Canal District has unequivocally changed. With the Polar Park baseball stadium entering its second year, COVID variants, new developments, and less restrictions afoot, questions arise as to the immediate future of businesses in the neighborhood. Amy Lynn Chase, owner of Crompton Collective and The Haberdash, as well as executive member of the Canal District Alliance, a networking organization for community and business leaders, spoke with WBJ to discuss the district's future.
How will the Canal District business community react to Polar Park's new season?
This year will go a lot smoother. Now that we worked out first-year kinks, season two will likely be a home run.
I'm excited for Pickett Plaza to open this spring. This is an additional entrance to the park on Green Street flowing effortlessly into the Canal District, inviting visitors of the park to partake in all the district has to offer. The ballpark is opening its new parking garage this spring, and the Worcester Red Sox mentioned they have been working on partnerships with local businesses for the upcoming season, so I'm excited to see what that looks like.
And with the new housing developments, more people living in the neighborhood will be great for businesses, especially since we are the most walkable neighborhoods in the city.
The Canal District is the perfect location for a day trip. You can eat lunch or dinner and attend a game, and even hit up some great retail spots within a few blocks. We all just have to work together to promote to fans and current customers.
How will the district promote itself to the public?
The Canal District Alliance has some new executive members this year, myself and Dan Rea from the WooSox included. This will make collaborating with the park and neighborhood easy, so you can expect to see many more events.
A big one we’re excited for this year is Worcester’s Tercentennial kick off party which will take place on June 10th.
How is the canal business community doing two years into the pandemic?
We have had some challenges. The recent Omicron wave sent small businesses into a bit of a panic. Restaurants and retail across the district were reporting their lowest sales in years. Hopefully, as the weather turns, people will feel safer to gather, and businesses will start to see their customers back in their establishments.
How have your businesses been personally affected in the canal district?
Our sales have been down about 30% at all our locations. I don’t necessarily blame COVID restrictions for hurting our business; it’s more there were lots of unknowns. People are cautious with their health and their wallets in uncertain times.
What is your plan ahead for your Green Street businesses?
My plan for Crompton and Haberdash is to do what we always do, celebrate local makers!
Pre-COVID we had a Rosé Garden planned with the 90+ Cellars Rosé Truck. We will likely give that another go.
We are also looking forward to our all-female craft fair, Makes Like a Girl, and we plan to have more Canal District strolls, which have been a huge draw for the small businesses in the neighborhood. It's a labor of love for sure, but it's so worth it to see all these people out supporting our local businesses.
This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Editorial Intern Anthony Buscarino.
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What about the Farmers Market? A number of people have asked if it will ever return and there has been no answer. This was the only decent Farmers Market in the area and is sorely missed.
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