Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | May 19, 2025 | wbjournal.com P OW E R 1 0 0 R E TA I L Amy Chase President Crompton Collective, Haberdash, and Sole Rune, in Worcester, Hudson, and Harwich Port Employees: 24 Residence: Worcester Chase is the founder of Crompton Collective, a 9,000-square-foot vintage and antique shop that has become an anchor of the Canal District neighbor- hood in Worcester since it opened in 2012. Located within historic Crompton Place, Crompton Collective sells the work of 74 artisans, including vintage and an- tique items, as well as handmade goods. It has become a Worcester destination, a hub in Kelley Square, and a staple of leisurely aernoons. Right upstairs from Crompton Collective is the Haberdash, a women's clothing boutique Chase originally created in 2009 as a mobile vintage shop. e first brick-and-mortar Haberdash shop opened in 2017 in Hudson, the Worcester location opened in 2019, and its third location in Harwich Port launched in 2021. Chase's third concept, lifestyle store Sole Rune, opened last year on Harrison Street. While her role in her businesses has evolved over the years, today, Chase said she is the sole buyer and designer for her stores – an ideal situation, since she said she thrives when she can be creative. A Worcester native, Chase is bullish on helping the city she grew up in reach its full potential. She started the Canal District Farmers Market and serves as pres- ident of the Canal District Alliance. - L.F. Neelu Mohaghegh Founder Cafe Neelu, Inc., in Worcester Employees: 20 Residence: Natick College: Boston University e beginning of Mohaghegh's early-stage retail empire began when her father supported her efforts to open Fuel America's first franchise location three years ago in his building at 100 Grove St. in Worcester. at coffee shop became a go-to destination in the Gateway Park neighborhood, with business leaders and faculty and students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute making frequent appearances. Fuel America provided the foundation for Mohaghegh's experiential company, which includes Cafe Neelu events and co- working and multi-purpose spaces, the Grove Village Market next to Fuel America featuring international foods, and Detour Live productions. e company hosts an annual coffee and car show, a Lunar New Year festival, and fashion and music events, which attract hundreds from across Massachusetts. e May 10 fashion show featured 10 local designers, 25 models, and 15 vendors. Next up for Mohaghegh is turning Grove Village Market into a go-to international destination for nostalgic snacks from a variety of cultures. She is working to make 100 Grove St. into a regular host of events and experiences, such as filming music videos and hosting podcasts and photoshoots. She said she wants to bring a fresh energy to Central Massachusetts and show what's possible when culture, community, and vision come together. - B.K. Bob Patton Founder & chairman Green Meadows, in Southbridge, Fitchburg & Marlborough Employees: 58 Residence: Darien, Connecticut College: Brown University e grandson of famous World War II leader George Patton, Bob Patton has navigated the chaotic battle- field that is the legal marijuana industry like a five-star general. As other firms have fallen thanks to shrinking cannabis prices, lack of business experience, and bur- densome state regulations, Green Meadows has kept on advancing toward its objective of being one of the most prominent locally-owned Mass. cannabis companies. Green Meadows operates a large facility in South- bridge, which is home to a dispensary, cultivation, and production facility, as well as its corporate headquarters. e firm operates an additional dispensary in Fitch- burg, with a third dispensary in Marlborough set to open this year. Combined, this portfolio allows the firm to grow and produce its own award-winning products. It's a strategic region to focus on, considering Worcester and Middlesex counties have accounted for a combined total of over $2 billion of the $7.7 billion in recreational sales since 2018, ranking first and second respectively in county-wide sales totals. Green Meadows has led the charge in supporting veterans initiatives, including implementing a veteran's discount program and working with local organizations like Southbridge Veterans Council and Friends of Fitch- burg Veterans. - E.C. Bob Eddy Chairman, president & CEO BJ's Wholesale Club, in Marlborough College: Babson College Eddy joined BJ's about 18 years ago, serving in various financial roles until taking over as president and CEO in 2021. He ascended to the role aer the untimely and tragic death of then-leader Lee Delaney and was appointed chairman of the board in June 2023. Today, Eddy serves as chairman of the board of directors at the National Retail Federation, as a director at Dick's Sporting Goods, and on the College Advisory Board at Babson College, his alma mater. e Marlborough-based company operates 253 clubs on the east coast. It has 189 gas stations, 7.5 million members, and $20 billion in annual sales. Net income was up about 2% in fiscal 2024 compared to the year before, and total revenues were up nearly 3%. In March, the company said it would open 25-30 new clubs over its next two fiscal years. is will include several stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, marking the company's first entry into Texas. Stores scheduled to open in 2025 include locations in Delray Beach, Florida; Warner Robins, Georgia; Sevierville, Tennessee; and Casselberry, Florida. Each new location will employ between 100 and 150 people, according to the company. - L.F. "Power is pioneering with purpose. It's having the courage to go first … to clear the path for those who come next or wish to join." - Neelu Mohaghegh, Cafe Neelu PHOTO | COURTESY OF CAFE NEELU, INC.

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