March is the start of Women’s History Month and in honor of the occasion, it is important to give your support to women-owned businesses. Whether you’re looking for a place to eat, shop, or even get a tattoo, the city has much to offer. Here are five companies in New York City that are completely run by females.
Whipped Urban Dessert Lab
Whipped Urban Dessert Lab is located in the Lower East Side. This Black and female-owned company features oat milk and plant-based ice cream with a variety of flavors and toppings. Owners Courtney Blagrove and Zan B.R. opened the store in the city in February of 2020 and have blown up on social media since then. It’s also the first plant-based ice cream shop in New York City. Urban Dessert Lab is the perfect spot for a midday treat or a late-night dessert.
Land to Sea
Located in Williamsburg, Land to Sea is a café and creative venue founded by two immigrant daughters, Eva Zhou and Emily Shum. The café features a selection of coffee, tea, and Chinese pastries, as well as alcoholic beverages. They work with local creators and artists to host art exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and more at the store. Land to Sea officially opened in October of 2021 and the goal of the company was to create a space that feels like home. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee and experience the creativity of others.
LINES
If you are looking for a place to get a new tattoo, LINES is the perfect women-owned business to do so. Founders Jiwon Ra and Crystal Pfeifer decided in the midst of the pandemic to leave their careers in fashion to pursue a longtime dream of opening a female-driven tattoo shop. Not only do they provide tattoo services and care, but they also offer spa services, fashion products, and events. The goal of their business is to defy the masculine culture within the tattoo industry and make a space for women to feel safe and welcomed.
Chillhouse
You may have heard of Chillhouse from their popular press-on nails, but they originated as a spa in the Lower East Side in 2017. Since then, Chillhouse has widely grown as a brand and has moved to a larger location in Soho for both spa services and products. It was founded by Cyndi Ramirez, a second-generation Colombian American woman who grew up with parents in the cosmetology industry. Chillhouse has a large selection of skincare products and spa services that include face, body, nails, acupuncture, and even a sauna. If you are looking to unwind, this is the place to go.
Sweet Pickle Books
Who doesn’t love books and pickles? Sweet Pickle Books is a bookstore in the Lower East Side that takes book donations in exchange for a jar of pickles. Leigh Altshuler opened the store in 2020 after working as an employee at Strand Bookstore. She decided to combine her two favorite things—books and pickles—and turn it into a sensation. She uses her own recipes for the pickles and also has them for sale in store and online. Sweet Pickle Books has gained a large audience since opening and is the ideal spot if you are looking for something unique.
