Business

By Ginger DeShaney Susan Devlin has stepped out of her comfort zone in honor of two courageous kids battling cancer. As she raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), her driving forces are Ollie, 3, and Belle,10 -- the LLS Boy & Girl of the Year.  “I do a lot with charities in the community, but I donate to them. I’m not a fundraiser,” said Susan, owner and founder of Nurture Salon at 127 L Street in Southie. “But I have been wanting to do something more. I have been kind of wishing for it; it’s like it came to me.”  Kristen Krikorian, a client who has been coming to the salon since it opened almost 19 years ago, nominated Susan for the [...]

By Ginger DeShaney You can have your cake … and drink it, too. Wait, what?  Thanks to Riley Mahan’s creativity and flavor-making skills, you can buy cakes, cupcakes, and macarons made with booze ... and love. Welcome to Riley’s Drunk Kitchen. Her cake flavors include: Rose Riesling Prosecco Espresso martini (Bailey’s, coffee, and espresso) Coconut rum Mudslide (Bailey’s and Kahlua) Margarita Bourbon and caramel Chocolate and Guinness Frosting choices include: Limoncello Bailey’s Aperol Rum chata Kahlua You can also get booze-less cake (chocolate, vanilla, funfetti, lemon, and Oreo), cupcakes, and macarons. All of her cookies are booze-less. Riley’s Drunk Kitchen was born out of quarantine and boredom.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Riley has been working from home full time as a program manager for Dana-Farber [...]

By Ginger DeShaney After 50 years at the helm of Harold’s Barber Shop, Harold Amato has hung up his scissors.  This old-school Southie landmark at 87 L Street closed its doors on March 31. In a farewell ad to his customers, Harold wrote, “I have made several great friends and have many memories that I will treasure forever. It has been my utmost pleasure to be part of the Southie community ... I will miss you all as I start the next chapter in my life.” Harold, 77, of Marlborough, was the only barber in his shop for those 50 years. He never sat around; he was always on the go, which would explain how he could manage several customers at once. He had tried [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Jane Hayes Handrahan loves dogs. Some might even call her a “crazy dog lady.” “Anyone who has surrendered their heart to their dog understands what I mean. I love dogs because people …,” she said, trailing off. “Dogs are wicked cool. They all have their own cool personalities. They’re kind of like people, but they don’t talk back. They are always happy to see you. They don’t make snide remarks.”  Then there’s that unconditional love dogs offer.  Jane turned her passion for pooches into a business. Several years back, Jane made the unfortunate mistake of buying her beloved black German Shepherd, Leyna, chicken treats made in China. She then realized that polyurethane was an ingredient in the product to increase its shelf [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Candles are so much more than a source of light or the perfect gift. “Each part of lighting a candle, the glow from the flickering flame, the warm fragrance wafting through the air, elicits very personal emotions,” said Ashley Seamans. “A familiar scent can trigger joy, calm, focus, and bring new energy to your sacred space.” Ashley and her team at Noted make each soy candle and reed diffuser by hand in small batches in her open, light-filled South Boston studio at 423 W. Broadway, Suite 302. “Our candles and diffusers are used as a tool for creating a happier life and making your house feel more like home,” she said. Noted’s core foundation is powerful: fresh and unique fragrances inspired by [...]