Women-Owned Twin Cities Businesses

March is Women’s History Month! The commemoration began in 1978 as “Women’s History Day” in Sonoma County, California and was championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women’s History Alliance to be recognized as a national week, and then month in the United States, spreading internationally after that. Women’s history month highlights and celebrates the contributions of women to events, history and society. TopLine would like to highlight and celebrate Women-Owned Twin Cities Businesses so that you can actively support Twin Cities Women! Here are some picks from Minneapolis.org 

D. Nolo and Queen Anna House of Fashion
D. Nolo is a “curated” shopping experience. A collective opened in 2013 by Veronica Clark, the ultra- contemporary boutique partners with other retailers like BlueBird and Bumbershute, high-end mainstays on 50th and France Avenue, the ‘Magnificent Mile’ of the city’s south side. Clark interprets shopping as a multi-sensory experience: from high end textiles and home furnishings to the aromas and flavors of rum, wines and liquors from co-op partners next door at the Cobble Social House – just a few steps down the cobblestone alley where the basement bar hosts an eclectic ambiance that lends to a mellow vibe for socializing.

Meanwhile next door, Queen Anna invites you in for an experience in luxury. You’ll feel as if you’re the center of attention from the concierge service One Posh Closet, which is all about styling and attention to detail. Here you'll find designs for women with curves like AND COMFORT’S chic and simple ruched Tokyo Skirt (in sizes up to xxxxl) or the tiniest of accessories like Keiok’s Minimal Tear Drop Rings. Owner Nicole Jennings says Queen Anna House of Fashion was not only inspired by her Grandmother’s incredible Joie de Vive, but incredible sense of purpose. Jennings puts people helping people first and encourages all shoppers to support her philanthropic goals that give purpose and strength to the black community. This includes buying ethnic designer labels and seeking donations and volunteering resources to create equity and social justice for People of Color in Minneapolis.

Roseline’s Candles
Roseline Friedrich moved to the United States at the age of 14 from Cameroon. Years later she opened her first brick & mortar store in Northeast Minneapolis selling sustainable candles. She began her candle making journey when she was living the zero-waste lifestyle. It was then that she started collecting jars and other candle vessels and eventually inviting friends over for candle-making parties. Her creations grew in popularity, leading to those close to her asking for her products constantly. Friedrich was then determined to create a business selling sustainably-made candles from start to finish. Her products use 100% soy wax, are hand-poured in recycled glass jars and have cotton wicks with lead-free wick tabs. When you visit the store you'll also notice other unique gifts from mostly local vendors. Friedrich made sure to choose vendors that also focus on the mission of sustainability and is hoping that by selling these items it will allow people to think about the impact and responsibility we have to the earth.

Kolman & Reeb
Art is a great way to make the memories last. So, take a walk over to the center of Minneapolis’ local art scene where the Northrup King building is home to hundreds of artists and galleries, like Kolman & Reeb. Owned and curated by Anita Sue Kolman (middle) and artist Jodi Reeb (right), the veteran gallery is home to a carefully curated group of outstanding Minnesota artists in a variety of mediums: clay, oils, wood and cold wax. Their process of discovery in their work and intimate relationships with nature and the environment are key in Kolman’s ability to match with clients who are curious about our interaction with the world around us. The gallery mentors and offers grants to emerging artists, hosts open forums to boost the public’s understanding of art and collecting.

Herbivorous Butcher
If you're not into cooking tonight then make your way over to Aubry Walch’s vegan butcher shop. Sounds unbelievable, especially when its owned and operated by a young woman who grew up in Guam where meat and fish are an everyday food staple. But Walch will tell you with the fervor of a southern preacher: eat less meat, cut greenhouse gas emissions and prevent an environmental catastrophe. After years of perfecting meatless alternatives, brother Kale joined in, then his wife and a friend. The collective is passionate about adding a wide range of flavors and spices to their food, especially brother Kale, a recent convert from omnivore to vegan.

Hark! Café 
A Sicilian Creole Vegan? Sounds improbable – and unheard of if you’re from Louisiana. But all is forgiven once you visit Katherine Pardue’s plant based, gluten-free spot in the legendary Knickernick Building on First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. You’ll fall hard for baker Lisa Newman’s mini Key Lime pies.

The Dripping Root
Catiesha Pierson, walked out of her full-time job a few years ago and started Minnesota's first and only Black-Owned cold pressed juice bar. In 2018, she gained a following after posting her juice concoctions on social media. It was then that the dream of starting a juice bar really took hold. An inspired community helped her raise money to start her business through a GoFundMe and surpassed her $70K goal. The Dripping Root is meant to have a coffee shop vibe and space for customers to feel welcome and treated with kindness. Pierson takes pride in providing a healthier juice alternative and has done extensive research to learn the benefits of different fruits and vegetables to make each drink with quality ingredients.

Urban Growler
Deb Loch and Jill Pavlak pretty much own the Twin Cities when it comes to rich, flavorful beer. Don’t forget to throw in a fish fry and football. The two punched the corporate time clock – and never went back. After years of someday, someday became NOW. 6 years of tasting beer and ales, raising money through t-shirt sales and 12 bank loan rejections, Urban Growler Brewing Company opened in 2014 – the first women-owned brewery in Minnesota. A master craft brewer and biomed engineer, Deb cut her teeth at Summit brewing, and in her parents’ restaurant in Wisconsin.

Marigold
Marigold sells nonalcoholic spirits, wine, and beer in South Minneapolis. Erin Flavin, decided to open Marigold adjacent to her wildly successful Honeycomb Salon after making the decision to cut alcohol from her life. In conversations with clients, Flavin noticed that drinking habits turned from social and pleasurable experiences to something darker during the pandemic. So, Marigold aims to provide a range of products (local and international nonalcoholic beverages) for people in various stages of sobriety. Marigold is currently a retail bottle shop, but in coming months, Flavin plans to serve drinks in the space and make it a place for events.

For more Women-owned Twin Cities businesses be sure to check out the Minneapolis.org blog!