Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | May 1, 2023 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 SAM HENDLER CO-OWNER & CEO JACK'S ABBY CRAFT LAGERS, IN FRAMINGHAM AMY CHASE CEO THE CROMPTON COLLECTIVE, IN WORCESTER THE HABERDASH, IN WORCESTER, HUDSON, AND CAPE COD GRACE ELTON CEO NEW ENGLAND BOTANIC GARDEN AT TOWER HILL, IN BOYLSTON Residence: Worcester College: Quinsigamond Community College, in Worcester While a precarious retail market sent many across the city and region running, Chase celebrated 10 years in business in September and remains a bright spot for the creative community. The Crompton Collective, Chase's largest store, contributes nearly 100 jobs to the Worcester economy and allows local makers to earn a living while pursuing a creative career. Some vendors who have launched at the collective have gone on to establish their own brick-and-mortar stores or sell products in other retail spaces. Chase, a Worcester native, knows how important it is for a community to have thriving small businesses. Growing up in a walkable neighborhood instilled in Chase the desire to support the shops she could see as pillars of the community. Watching other small businesses close their doors during the coronavirus pandemic made Chase all the more committed to ensuring her operations would make it through, planning for a recovery in a changed retail environment. Keeping her 24 employees on staff and receiving paychecks, and keeping the collective and Haberdash places that make shoppers see the value of a physical store have made Chase's businesses standouts amid the trials of the last three years. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "We should all be adding value to our communities. Are we creating jobs, are we donating to charities, are we volunteering, are we mentoring local youth, are we supporting our local economy? Businesses should identify the needs of their community and make sure they are helping make it better." n A numbers game: Chase is obsessed with statistics. Residence: Worcester College: University of Florida; University of Delaware Under Elton, the gains of the botanic garden have been significant, and they're starting to pay off with more visitors and more attractions. First, the $53-million nonprofit changed its name in April from Tower Hill Botanic Garden to its new iteration of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Then it finished construction on a $16-million project that includes the Ramble, the new children and families garden, along with new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pathways. The project doubled the size of its parking lot and renovated and expanded its visitor center lobby. All of the upgrades and renovations have made a difference because the botanic garden had a record year in attendance, welcoming more than 207,000 visitors, which is a significant increase over the 166,669 visitors it reported in 2021, which made it the sixth largest tourist attraction in Central Massachusetts. On top of that, the center taught more than 12,000 people – children and adults – in classes and workshops. As its CEO, Elton holds the keys to introducing more people to the world of horticulture and expandings the nonprofit's reach as a key player in the Central Massachsuetts's tourism sector. n How should professionals best use their power? "Business professionals need to make space for all members of our community in their work. I devote a lot of my time to reaching out into our community to make sure everyone understands the garden is a place for them and they are welcome and invited." n An aspiring apiarist: Elton is fascinated by everything about honeybees. She's been a beekeeper off and on for about 14 years, keeping honeybee hives at the botanic gardens where she's worked or at home, in three states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Yet, she's not actually very good at it and rarely harvests any honey. Residence: Framingham It's been a busy year for Hendler and the team at Jack's Abby Craft Lagers. The Framingham brewery not only completed a renovation of its beer hall at its 100 Clint St. location, which it originally opened in 2015, but it took on a huge brewing contract with Night Shift Brewing, Inc. of Everett in July. On top of that, he's been the president of Massachusetts Brewers Guild since 2020 and his work for the local brewers' trade organization was rewarded with the Brewers Association's 2022 F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award, which is given out to someone in the industry who champions the small brewing industry. Hendler was chosen for the award because he has been a force in the defense of the craft beer industry. Jack's Abby is a lager brewery first and foremost. It's a brewery built on patience and family values – Hendler's older brothers Jack and Eric are co-owners and in charge of their respected areas within the business. It's the largest brewery in Central Massachusetts, produced 48,000 barrels of beer in 2021, and is the 47th largest craft brewery in America, according to the trade group Brewers Association. With that size and impact, Jack's Abby has become an integral part of reinvigorating downtown Framingham and shaping the craft beer landscape across the state with its influence in not only brewing beer and the styles made popular in the area, but with lobbying efforts at the state level. Hendler has been a vital advocate for the brewing industry and a translator between the industry and local government when it comes to regulations. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Wield your power where your passions lie. We find a lot of value in running a small family-owned business and investing heavily into the community we live and work in. Do what you care about, and you will likely make a lasting impact." n Founded a brewery before he could drink legally: When Jack's Abby was officially founded on paper, Hendler was 20 years old. The company applied for its brewing license days after his 21st birthday. PHOTO | COURTESY OF JACK'S ABBY CRAFT LAGERS

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