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Send photos with a caption and contact information to:  ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

Camping for Chicken
ChicFilA-GuyChickFilA-TruckThe day before Chick-fil-A opened its doors at 501 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee, hardy Chick-fil-A followers from as far away as Philadelphia were pitching tents in a wet, snow-filled parking lot with hopes that they’d be one of the first 100 in line for the Feb. 20 grand opening at 6 a.m. The quick-food restaurant is known for giving away free Chick-fil-A for a year to the first 100 adults on site when the doors open to each new store. The new restaurant, which recently filled 90 new jobs, provided security, entertainment, games, and, of course, plenty of fresh Chick-fil-A for those in line. At left, owner/operator Robert Hewes stands in the parking lot-turned-campground. Right, the tents start to take over parking spaces, awaiting opening day.

Crowd Catering
Skin-Catering-210Skin-Catering-53-2A crowdsourcing event to support SkinCatering, a spa in downtown Springfield and South Hadley, owned by Leanne Sedlak, was staged recently at 180Fit Gym at One Financial Plaza in Springfield.  The event, Cater to Your Entrepreneurial Spirit, was organized to help Sedlak raise $3,500 for materials and setup costs for relaunching her all-natural skin-care line nationally and continue building her customer base. Left, supporters pose for a group shot. At right, from left, are Pam Thornton, Business Development manager, United Personnel; Sedlak; Michelle Crosby, Business Banking branch manager at PeoplesBank; and Elizabeth Ginter, president of Ellis Title Company.
Photos by Dani.Fine Photography

Shop and Talk
Photo-Feb-11,-5-53-30-PMPhoto-Feb-11,-6-09-36-PMNetworking and shopping, not necessarily in that order, were the missions of the night as the Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Massachusetts celebrated Ladies Night at Kate Gray Boutique in Longmeadow.  New and existing members packed the elegant boutique, above, and, at left, stopped long enough to pose for a group picture.

Wine and History
WistariahurstWine2More than 100 people attended the annual I Love Wine event on Feb. 15 at Holyoke’s Wistariahurst Museum, the historic 26-room mansion and former home of two generations of the prominent Skinner Family, manufacturers of nationally renowned silks and satins. A focal point on the Holyoke landscape since 1874, the museum offers a permanent collection of decorative arts, paintings and prints, and textiles, in addition to a wide variety of educational and musical programs and events. The event proceeds will support the museum’s ongoing endeavors. Here, Christine Johnson, a representative from Carolina Wine Co., pours Dave Griffin Jr. and his wife, Corinne, a sample of fine wine.
Photos courtesy of Joseph Aberdale