Fifteen woman-owned businesses in Belleville to support for Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month has been celebrated yearly since 1995, and its roots go back to 1981. Here are 15 local women-owned or co-owned businesses to support this Women’s History Month.

Sugar High Bakery and Cafe

• Amber Weiss founded Sugar High Bakery and Cafe in 2020. Cake orders can be placed by calling 618-418-4040. The café also offers specialty coffees and breakfast and lunch foods, with options for those following vegan or gluten-free diets. The bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and located at 100 East Main St.
  
  

Clara B’s Kitchen Table

• Clara B’s Kitchen Table, owned by Jodie Ferguson, operates through a food truck and has a brick-and-mortar location at 106 East Main St. The restaurant offers Southern hospitality through its Louisiana- and Texas-inspired dishes. The downtown location is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and the truck’s schedule can be found online.

Weave & Wobble

• Weave & Wobble is owned by Nicole Shanks. The business offers a shop for crafting supplies and handmade items, as well as classes in pottery, weaving, soap making and more. The shop is located on 122 East Main St. and open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

VENUE on Main

• Conni Tilley co-owns VENUE on Main with her husband, Eicholz. Live music, classes and tasting events are held at the venue, and the space can be reserved for gatherings of up to 49 people. The hall, located at 202 West Main St., was built in 1879 and provides historic charm. Pricing and booking information is available online.

Circa Boutique + Gifts

• Andria Powell owns Circa Boutique + Gifts, which is located at 128 East Main St. The shop, which was opened in 2004, stocks clothing, accessories, bath products, candles and more. Circa Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store’s website has a sale section where shoppers can find deals.

Belle City Fitness

• Powell also owns Belle City Fitness, where she provides personal training sessions and classes. Class passes and memberships are available, with pricing options for individuals, families and youth. Nutritional counseling is also offered. Coaches profiles are online, and all nine trainers currently listed are women. The gym is located at 110 Mascoutah Ave., and its schedule is online.

Lincoln Theatre

• The Lincoln Theatre is co-owned by husband-and-wife team Sandy and Dave Schoenborn. The theater has a history dating back to silent films in 1921 and is located at 103 East Main St. Movies, live shows and concerts can be enjoyed onsite, and the theater can also be rented out for birthday parties. Ticket pricing and showing schedules are available online.

COPPER FIRE

• COPPER FIRE is owned by Renae and Mark Eichholz. The restaurant offers modern American fare and a full-service bar. The menu is available online, and Copper Fire is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is located at 200 East Main St. and also offers catering services.

Local Lucy’s

• Local Lucy’s was founded in 2012 and is owned by mother-and-daughter duo Nancy Schulte and Christy Vineyard. The store, named after Christy’s daughter, carries products from an array of local vendors, including household accessories, baby clothes, jewelry and more. Local Lucy’s is located at 310 East Main St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tapestry of Community Offerings

• Tapestry of Community Offerings is a nonprofit organization of which Christine Higdon is the president. TOCO provides a textile pantry where items are sold, and according to TOCO’s website, the organization provides free clothing, shoes and housewares to community families through referrals from other social service agencies. TOCO is hosting its 17th Annual Herstory Weekend event March 25 and 26. The March 25th event will be a Sip, Shop and Sing, with a $10 suggested donation at the door. On March 26, the Musical Showcase event will be held at SPACES in Belleville and will cost $25 per person, with free admission to children 12 and younger.

Toots’ Cake & Candy Supplies

• Toots’ Cake & Candy Supplies is owned by Ann Davis. The store provides products for professional and home bakers and candy makers. Toots’ also offers demos and classes. The store is located at 314 East Main St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Ambassador Travel & Cruises

• Ambassador Travel & Cruises is owned by Julia Crunk, who founded the business in 1970. The company specializes in booking honeymoon travel, destination weddings, family vacations and adult-only resort trips. Ambassador Travel & Cruises also offers a honeymoon registry. Trip inquiries can be made online.

Artisans off Main

• Artisans off Main, formerly Metal Crafters Studio, is a co-op studio co-owned by Gerry Dahm. The studio offers metal jewelry and art classes, and local artists’ work is available for purchase. The shop is currently located in Olde Towne Mall at 310 East Main Studio 13, but will be moving to a different unit in the mall April 1, according to the studio’s Facebook page.

Gabrielle’s Step by Step Dance Studio

• Gabrielle Almgren owns Gabrielle’s Step by Step Dance Studio, which offers group classes and private lessons in ballroom, Latin and swing dance styles. More information about specific types of dance studied at Gabrielle’s can be found online. The studio is located at 310 East Main St. According to its Facebook page, hours may vary and visitors should contact the studio to ensure it is open, outside of Tuesday evenings.

Belleville School of Ballet

• Patti Woods Harrington owns and operates Belleville School of Ballet, which is located on the second floor of Olde Towne Mall at unit 17. The school offers classes for children starting at 2½ years old up to teen and adult classes. Belleville School of Ballet has a yearly performance for all students of all levels, and it also has a competition team.

To find out more about women-owned businesses in the area, check out the Downtown Belleville Women’s Business Collective, which was founded by Andria Powell.

This story was originally published March 16, 2022 at 10:54 AM.