Some of you may have received an email powered by Constant Contact last week bidding us "Adios, au revoir, ciao, cheers, goodbye!" It was from The Basket Jeanie, announcing Jean Carbone’s retirement and the closing of her business. When that becomes official, the Chamber will lose a very special member.
Last year, Jean was recognized as Chamber Member of the Year at the Achievement Awards banquet in November. As Dr. Maureen Gormley presented her with the award (which she had herself received the year before), she recounted why: “Since becoming a Chamber member Jean has been one of its most enthusiastic supporters. She exemplifies Chamber Connections in the creative ways in which she works with Chamber members or introduces them to someone who can help their own businesses.”
Chamber Connections? Jean couldn’t leave a networking event without at least one new connection in the works. In the past four years, she has worked with dozens of Chamber members, partnering with them to create special baskets to jointly market their businesses or creating baskets for them to give as gifts. If she couldn’t find a way to partner with someone, she usually knew another Chamber member who could and then made the introduction. Many of these business partners and customers became good friends of Jean's in the process.
See Jean from the back working the crowd.
See Jean at the first ever Chamber Promo after hours event at The Computer Cafe.
See Jeanie ith Vicki Krikorian, her right hand person, at a multi-Chamber event.
Generous? Whenever the Chamber approached Jean about donating her services to attractively package items for an auction or a raffle and always tucking in special little extras, Jean would laugh and say, “Sure, why not?” Any of you who walked by the store in good weather knew that Jean, a dog lover of the highest order, would have a small pail outside filled with dog biscuits for the enjoyment of her four-legged chums.
I can’t think of Jeanie without thinking of Lily Lu, who happens to have been the reason I met her. We often joked about how Lily Lu had recruited her. While out for a walk, I had stopped to admire the windows of a new store in the neighborhood called The Basket Jeanie. Jean saw Lily, opening the door to say hello and give a treat to a very happy puppy. Seizing the opportunity, I told her about the Chamber and invited her to join. Over the years, Lily has always insisted on stopping by to say hi-and get a biscuit in the bargain.
As the door of The Basket Jeanie closes, another one opens as Jeanie starts down a new path. She will be missed. Anyone moving into 348 Massachusetts Avenue will enjoy the abundant good karma and good chi that Jean leaves behind. If you would like to say good bye, click here to send her an email.
