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 From: D&B Strategic Marketing
In the midst of a Michigan winter, #shopchelseamich merchants are giving you a delightful reason to visit downtown Chelsea - the 13th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza - an event for the sweetest of souls, a day dedicated to the sweet we all love! Come to Chelsea on Saturday, February 12th for a day of fun, friends, and chocolate. “Emphasis on the word ‘Extravaganza’, said Jennifer Fairfield, Owner of The Garden Mill. We have chocolate makers, and bakers demonstrating their craft; a penguin egg hunt for children (ages 2-7); a return of Home Domes; pop-up shops; drawings for a a one-night stay, a bottle of wine, and chocolates at Chelsea Comfort Inn; a drawing to win one of two packages of Jiffy Mix products and recipe book; and a Juggling Savant to add to the merriment as people meander through stores, restaurants, and demonstrations. While Chelsea is a relatively small community, it has a big heart and a lot to offer!! If you share a passion for chocolate, please join this decadent festival. Take advantage of the perfect opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day and to purchase gifts for your loved ones. A gift card from your favorite Chelsea business is always in style… from restaurants and shops alike! #shopchelseamich merchants will be showcasing their services, food, beverages, gifts, and merchandise. To see the participating merchants visit the website www.shopchelseamich.com. - details about specific offerings will be added soon. Remember small businesses are the heart of our community and are among the heroes of our local economy. Small businesses create jobs and growth, and they continue to face the challenge of a lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic isn't just a public health emergency; it's also an economic crisis that is hitting small businesses exceptionally hard. The merchants are grateful for the many local and loyal customers who recognize just how important these businesses are in making Chelsea a great place to live and visit. While you are out and about shopping in Chelsea, celebrate Valentine's Day with a tour of SculptureWalk, Chelsea's outdoor sculpture gallery. Open every day, all day! Information about the sculptures and artists who created them is located at SculptureWalk Chelsea "Sharing the love" is a popular theme for Valentine's Day. As you plan your Valentine's gift shopping, please note that during this very challenging season, hours vary by business; be patient, kind, and check their hours when you plan your visit. Thank you Mykala Mortgage Planning for being a local lender who supports local businesses! A group of independent business owners who possess entrepreneurial spirits has joined forces and created #shopchelseamich. This collaborative team includes a network of 30 Chelsea shops and restaurants who have participated in and promoted Wine, Women & Shopping, Chocolate Extravaganza, and Fresh Air Market events over the years.  From: D&B Strategic Marketing
Greg Yankee will be hosting a zoom call for potential and previous grant recipients. Greg is a Senior Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. In that capacity, he assists the Chelsea Community Foundation Advisory Committee in their review of grant applications and subsequent awards. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an informal but informative forum for people interested in learning more about the application requirements, process and timeline. This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about funding opportunities through the Chelsea Community Foundation in their mission to support all things Chelsea! Dates: January 13 from 1-2 pm - RSVP by January 12 at 5 pm January 20 from 10-11 am - RSVP by January 19 at 5 pm Contact: Greg Yankee @ gyankee@cfsem.org. Send a brief email with your preferred date and you will receive a zoom link for the meeting. The Chelsea Community Foundation Grant Application Deadline February 15, 2022, anyone interested has time to apply for this grant cycle. The next application deadline is August 15, 2022. Share this email with anyone that you think might benefit from participating in this forum! ### The Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF) is a permanent charitable endowment with assets in excess of $2.8 million. The endowment has been built through gifts from families, individuals, and businesses. CCF is guided by Chelsea civic leaders who care deeply about the community. To-date, more than $1.8 million has been awarded to local nonprofits to address emerging community needs and opportunities. CCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. 
 By: Aimee Bingham Osinski anbingham@gmail.com
I had the opportunity to visit Chelsea’s newest business this week. I stopped into Withington’s, located on Main Street just before Agricole Fresh Food Mart. I was immediately struck by the beauty of the store. It sells primarily wine and beer. But rather than ugly buzzing fluorescent lights and standard industrial tile floors, it felt like stepping inside an art gallery. Jay, the owner, immediately welcomed me inside. Upon entering, I was drawn to the shop. I was distracted by the bottles lining the shelves. I took the opportunity to grab a hostess gift and another gift on my list. The owner Jay was extremely helpful and patient with my wine ignorance. I explained the hostess was a red wine drinker. He showed me several from different regions and started to tell me about the grapes. He was trying to help me look like I knew more about wine than the pink Boones we used to pool our change to buy in college. I saw a bottle of red with an owl on the label. I shouted “ohh an owl, “ and pointed, startling and interrupting Jay Friend as he spoke. He pulled the bottle down for me and I laughed as I shook my head that he’s trying to provide an education and I pick based on the picture on the label. Jay encouraged it and explained it’s a good way to learn what I like and I don’t. “Yeah, “ I said to my wine snob friend, silently. I don’t know the difference between a decent table wine or a treasure, but I’m fairly certain Jay helped me find something that makes me appear to have more knowledge and better taste than I do. If you don’t know much about wine and need help selecting a nice bottle, visit Withington’s. Jay will help you choose and won’t make you feel stupid for not knowing much. I paid for my purchase and attempted to focus and work. I learned about Withington’s through a Facebook post by Jay’s wife, Katy. I noticed that Katy had attended a university out of state, so I was curious if Jay and Katy were from Michigan. Katy is originally from Grand Rapids and Jay has lived in Marquette, Birmingham, and Ann Arbor. Three years ago, they moved to Chelsea. Jay has worked nearly twenty years for a beer and wine distributor. When he saw the space become available, he wanted to follow his dream and open his own business. The decor of the shop is family inspired. Jay’s father is an artist. He’s done a few shows but he paints mostly for joy. Jay used his father’s art to create the theme of the store and it turned out wonderfully. Jay elaborated that he was raised in an artistic family. The benefit of shopping at Withington’s is that Jay knows the products, he can speak to the grapes, the location, and Michigan happens to be a great craft beer state and he has some vendors that normally only come to Ann Arbor so he has a selection that is not easy to find in this area. No need to drive to find that specialty beer. And, due to his background, anything made with a purpose and artfully done will grace the shelves, including beautiful coffee table books and coffee beans. Withington’s is open Monday- Sat 10-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm. The address is 112 N. Main St. If you’re looking for a nice gift to bring to a holiday gathering but you are unfortunately ignorant like me, Jay is happy to help and won’t laugh at your inexperience. For more information and to check out their products visit their website at: https://withingtons.mybigcommerce.com/.
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