We were lucky to catch up with Morgan Chapin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

At a time in my life when I was constantly searching for gifts—whether for baby showers, weddings, housewarmings, or other special occasions—I grew frustrated with the lack of a single store that offered thoughtfully curated gifts for all of life’s milestones. I wanted to change that.

I envisioned a space where customers could enjoy a seamless, one-stop shopping experience tailored to finding meaningful gifts that truly stand out. I’ve never been one to shop strictly off a registry—I love giving gifts that feel personal and special. But I also know that life gets busy, and even with the best intentions, people often run out of time to shop online. That’s why I wanted to create a store where customers could walk in, no matter how last-minute, and confidently find the perfect gift.

To make the experience even easier, I designed the store with dedicated sections for different life events, making it simple to shop efficiently, even when time is tight. Whether you’re celebrating a new baby, a wedding, a housewarming, or any other milestone, I wanted to create a place where finding the perfect gift is effortless, enjoyable, and always meaningful.

We love sharing in our customers’ most exciting life moments and helping them find the perfect gifts to celebrate family, friends, coworkers, and everyone who matters most.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in Kennebunkport, Maine, and spent eight years working at a retail store in downtown while in high school and college. I loved everything about it—refreshing displays, setting out new inventory, and connecting with visitors from all over the world. Retail always felt natural to me, but after graduating college, I moved to Texas to pursue a corporate career.

Then, a major health scare changed everything. It made me reassess my priorities and think deeply about what truly mattered. I realized my passion had always been in retail and community, so I made the decision to move back to the East Coast and follow my dream of opening my own store.

I wanted to curate a collection of unique, thoughtful gifts—items that don’t feel mass-produced but instead show that the giver put real time and care into choosing something special. At the same time, I wanted to create a space where people could find high-quality gifts that wouldn’t necessarily break the bank.

My shop, Best Day Ever, is in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore, and my goal has always been for it to be a true community staple. I love being in the store, getting to know my customers—whether they’re regulars or just stopping by while visiting from out of town. I believe that when you create a warm, welcoming shopping experience, people will not only come back but will also share it with their friends and family. A positive experience sticks with people, and word-of-mouth is the best way to build a loyal, connected community of shoppers. For me, this isn’t just a business; it’s about relationships and making every gift-giving moment meaningful.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first opened my business in October 2017, my primary focus was on our brick-and-mortar store. As a new business owner, I wanted to take things one step at a time and felt that managing both a physical location and an online store on my own would be too much. But in March 2020, everything changed.

Due to state mandates, all retail stores in Maryland were forced to shut down on March 23, 2020, for an indefinite period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just weeks before, I had completed a major buying trip, and new merchandise was arriving daily—yet my doors were closed, and customers had no way to shop. I quickly realized that if I wanted to keep my business alive, I had to pivot fast.

I launched an e-commerce store to give customers access to our products, but another challenge soon followed: retail stores in Baltimore City were not allowed to offer curbside pickup. To adapt, I started offering free delivery within the city, ensuring that local customers could still receive their orders.

Thankfully, restrictions gradually lifted. On May 27, 2020, curbside pickup was finally allowed, and by June 19, we reopened at 25% capacity. We continued to adapt to changing regulations until all capacity limits were lifted on July 1, 2021.

That experience taught me the importance of flexibility in business. Being able to pivot quickly not only helped my store survive but also expanded my reach—our e-commerce platform remains an important part of our business today. What started as a challenge ultimately became an opportunity for growth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that being present in my business has played a huge role in building strong relationships within the community and earning a solid reputation in my market. I want people to feel that our store is more than just a place to shop—it’s a welcoming space where they can browse our ever-changing inventory, pick up a treat for their dog, or simply stop by to say hello.

One of my favorite parts of running the store is connecting with customers while they pick out gifts and then hearing how much their recipients loved them when they return. Beyond just shopping, I’ve had people reach out to thank me for simply being a listening ear during tough times, and I’ve even had the privilege of helping with special moments like gender reveals.

For me, it’s about more than just selling products—it’s about being part of people’s lives, celebrating their happiest milestones, and offering comfort during difficult moments. That kind of personal experience is something you can’t get from a big-box retailer, and I think that’s what keeps customers coming back and spreading the word to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bestdayevermd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestdayeverbaltimore/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestdayeverbaltimore
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/best-day-ever-baltimore