sunday story: nov. 3
I’m often asked where my inspiration comes from for our products, brand, and overall vision at hello & handshake. While our about page shares the basics of our origin story, I wanted to dive deeper into one of my biggest influences: Chelsea’s, a beloved gift and card shop in Broad Ripple, a vibrant arts and culture district in Indianapolis.
Chelsea’s was located in one of Broad Ripple’s oldest buildings, built in 1877 on the corner of Guilford and Westfield. Over the years, the building hosted Watt's Drug Store at the turn of the 20th century, then became home to Lobraico’s Rexall Drugs from 1925 to 1990. Finally, in 1990, David Matthews & Ellen Morely Matthews opened Chelsea's, transforming the space into an enchanting shop filled with unique, thoughtfully curated products from around the world, and cards for every possible occasion. It is most definitely worth noting that the photo for our first Sunday Story was provided by Dan Axler, a longtime friend and vendor of Chelea’s — thank you, Dan!
Nestled in its beautiful glass cases shoppers would ogle jewelry from the far corners of the world alongside local makers all perfectly displayed on handmade, folded over cardstock. Cards ranged from holiday to blank box sets to “Congratulations On Your Divorce!” and “Just Because.” Music was always playing and there was a persistent twinkle of chimes overhead. I fondly remember the large case of novelty salt & pepper shakers that nearly every shopper would comment on.
I often worked on weeknight evenings with a woman by the name of Marlene. Marlene, at the time, was a mother to three (if memory serves) adult children that she was incredibly proud of. She worked part-time at Chelsea’s as well as the Indy Star. She was a very calm, kind, patient woman that often balanced my hyper, chatty 19-year-old anxious energy by playing smooth jazz or sending me down the block to buy us smoothies at Monon Coffee Company. Upon writing this, I can attest to Marlene being a very proud grandmother as we crossed paths years ago at a neighborhood grocery store where she’d taken yet another part-time job in the floral department. I think of her often and may embark on a deep Google to reconnect.
We spent our shifts unpacking orders, pricing items by hand, and arranging displays that would delight shoppers. While I waited at the register, Marlene would dust and rearrange displays, often helping me with the signature Chelsea’s task: hand-wrapping every purchase in beautifully branded craft boxes and bags of all sizes.
Weekends at Chelsea’s were bustling, especially around the holidays. David would arrive first, shoveling and salting the sidewalks, and Ellen would stop by to admire the curated selection she had an impeccable eye for: stunning scarves, unique ornaments, handmade cards, and more. Their annual holiday party for past and present staff always made me feel like part of an elite club, bonded by shared memories and experiences at the store.
My time at Chelsea’s shaped me profoundly, both as a young woman and as a budding business owner. I often think of David & Ellen, whose values and business philosophy taught me countless lessons about quality, care, and community. Today, when choosing products for hello & handshake, I channel my inner Ellen, asking myself questions she might have: Is this unique? Is this something people want? Will they value its quality? In Ellen’s spirit, hello & handshake now proudly carries Le Pen, a simple yet exceptional pen that’s perfect for handwritten cards, reflecting the values I hold dear thanks to Chelsea’s.
