slides: 10 Hipsters to Watch in Worcester

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Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Lindsay Corcoran, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Local comedian Shaun Connolly. Photo: Louie Despres

These 10 locals, who are some of the main drivers behind the hipster community in Worcester, aim to build a reputable culture of art, music, fashion and food in the city they love.

Amy Chase, who is preparing to open an antique mall in the hipster-popular Canal District, said while she used to work in Boston, she wanted to come back to Worcester where she grew up.

“I believe in that area,” Chase said of the Canal District. “When I was going up, I would drive by and think that the Crompton building was so beautiful.”

Chase is one of many hipsters in the city who believes in Worcester.

After traveling all over the world and doing “a little bit of everything,” J. Stuart Esty returned to Worcester for its climate, work ethic and unique culture.

“I couldn’t replicate what’s in Worcester anywhere else in the world,” Esty said. “I love being here and I think this is a great time to be here. I think people are understanding the cool things that are here.”

Teacher by day and comedian by night, Shaun Connolly said Worcester needs all of the culture it can get.

“Worcester needs comedy,” Connolly said. “We are a city. We need to act like a city. So we need entertainment like a city has.”

This is just a sampling of the Worcester hipsters who are supporting the city with what they do.