A Special Election scheduled for April 28, 2026 will fill the City Council District 3 (D3) seat vacated earlier this month, after Council Member Erik Bottcher won a Special Election designating him as District 47’s NYS Senator.  Five candidates are in the race to represnt D3. Here, find links to our recent Candidate Q&As. And below, Lindsey Boylan (click here for her campaign website) is the first participant for our new series, in which candidates sing the praises of their favorite local small businesses.—By Scott Stiffler

BY LINDSEY C. BOYLAN | As a Chelsea resident who shops local at every opportunity, my love for this neighborhood has become deeply rooted in its incredible small businesses. They provide our community with safe spaces to eat, laugh, learn, read, and just be with one another. In the narrative of my New York life, Chelsea’s shops and stores have become central characters: 

The Donut Pub (203 W. 14th St. at 7th Ave.) has been my anchor go-to since my twenties. In the time I’ve lived here, I have never found a cruller as fabulous as theirs. Everyone loves a sweet treat–and The Donut Pub is literally there for our neighborhood 24/7, always with dozens of options. Although these days I tend to visit during more acceptable business hours than when I first moved here, I’ve always appreciated the warmth and delicious smells emanating from this business.

192 Books (192 10th Ave. at W. 21st St.) is another constant presence, from way back to just the other day. When I wanted books for my own leisure, to read to my daughter, or find community events in tough times, 192 Books is a shining example of everything a small business brings to its neighbors each new time they enter its doors: safety, friendship, accessible avenues of learning found in row after row.

The Practice Room (521 W. 26th St. btw. 10th|11th Aves.) has an irreplaceable role in my family’s life: It’s been the place where my daughter learned to the play the drums and found endless encouragement to let her creative spirit shine. She’s even joined a girl band that she loves dearly,

Especially in our present moment of aggression and uncertainty, spaces like The Practice Room allow our kids to grow into who they are by nurturing all of the things they want to be. What’s more, the confidence they find comes from the example they see: This is a woman-founded, women-run business!

These are only a handful of examples of small businesses that make Chelsea such a special place. It’s a joy to support places like these that make our New York neighborhood so remarkable.—By Lindsey Boylan 

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