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Chamber director Jen Hassel says events and programs aim to revive Broadway businesses in Chelsea
Summary
In a Chelsea Chats podcast interview, Jen Hassel, executive director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, described efforts to boost downtown foot traffic through events, partnerships and workforce programming, and said infrastructure work and funding uncertainty have slowed recovery after the pandemic.
Marne McAlpine, host of the podcast Chelsea Chats, interviewed Jen Hassel, executive director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, about the chamber’s efforts to support local businesses and residents. Hassel said the chamber is headquartered at 308 Broadway and is “open 4 days a week,” inviting residents to visit the office and use its services.
Hassel described how the pandemic and necessary infrastructure work on Broadway—work she said “hadn’t been done in over 50 years”—reduced foot traffic and disrupted downtown businesses, but framed that construction as essential for future growth. “It was necessary for the growth that’s coming,” she said, while acknowledging the short-term strain on merchants.
The chamber’s strategy, Hassel said, combines public events, partnerships and direct supports. “We partner with Bunker Hill Community College and with the city of Chelsea…to make sure that we have workshops that cover financial literacy,” she said, noting collaborations with the Boys and Girls Club and the Chelsea public schools. The chamber runs programming on financial literacy, resume writing and interview skills and posts job opportunities on its website to help residents seeking employment or training.
Hassel highlighted the chamber’s use of downtown events to draw shoppers to local retailers: the office helps organize annual activities such as a Santa parade and a “picture with Santa” event on Broadway, and supports Halloween programming including a trick-or-trunk collaboration with local businesses and the Chelsea Police Department. “If we get individuals to come take a picture with Santa Claus, maybe they’ll grab a bite to eat,” she said, describing the events as a practical way to expose shoppers to small businesses.
The chamber also ran an entrepreneur competition, Hassel said, and is working with city licensing to make startup and food-truck processes more user-friendly for aspiring entrepreneurs. Hassel urged residents to check the chamber’s website, www.chelseychamber.org, to sign up as vendors at marketplaces, see job postings, and learn about upcoming events.
Hassel, who said she was born in Chelsea in 1972 and marked her fourth anniversary as chamber director this month, emphasized local partnerships and community values: “It takes a village,” she said, describing long-term collaborations with city departments and community groups. She also cautioned that several funding streams the city relies on are uncertain, and said the community will need to find new ways to support essential services.
The episode concluded with Hassel thanking staff and volunteers—she singled out Karolina Bonia, a former intern from Bunker Hill Community College—and McAlpine urging listeners to support downtown businesses and to visit the chamber at 308 Broadway for more information.
