Celebrating Beacon’s women-owned businesses
A row of Beacon’s women-owned businesses on Main Street.
March is also Women’s History Month—a perfect opportunity to shine a light on the women-owned and operated businesses that make Beacon such a vibrant, welcoming Hudson Valley city.
Everyone knows setting up a small retail business is not for the faint of heart. It takes lots of courage, resilience, and creativity. While every small business owner deserves credit for succeeding when faced with big brand and online competition, we think Beacon’s many women-owned businesses deserve a special shout out.
Female business owners not only drive economic growth and create jobs, they also often invest in their communities and serve as role models for future generations of young women and girls. That can only be a good thing.
Beacon’s OG female business leader
Madam Brett Homestead, built in 1709.
Let’s start with Beacon’s OG female business leader, Catheryna Rombout Brett. She and her husband built what we now know as the Madam Brett Homestead in about 1709. After her husband drowned in an accident, Catheryna and her children were left to carry on. This trailblazing woman—who Scenic Hudson dubs “America’s first female real estate tycoon”—literally built a village on the land she owned. She became an industrialist, built a grist mill, and ultimately became an ally to the indigenous Wappinger people. It’s no exaggeration to say that generations of Catheryna Brett’s family have helped build Beacon.
When the Madam Brett Homestead was scheduled for demolition to make way for an A&P supermarket in 1954, a group of women —the Daughters of the American Revolution Melzingah Chapter in Beacon—stepped in to save the building. It’s now a stunning museum that’s a reminder of Beacon’s incredible history, thanks to those women. The homestead is open from May to December every second Saturday of each month. You’ll find more details of Catheryna’s fascinating story here.
Today’s Women-owned businesses on Main Street
Raven Rose, 474 Main Street, a Beacon favorite.
Today, Beacon boasts an award-winning Turkish chef, successful online businesses who’ve chosen Beacon as their first retail destination, consignment store owners, super-talented wedding (and everyday) florists, accessory designers, clothing designers, jewelry designers, vegan bakers, graduates of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, and so many more accomplished women business leaders.
Some of Beacon’s women business owners have been a part of Main Street life for many years. Barbara Sims of BJ’s (213 Main Street), a Hudson Valley soul food destination, has owned her restaurant since 1978—a phenomenal achievement for any business. Her business has survived and thrived during the course of Beacon’s transformation into the vibrant city it is today. Beacon Pilates at 18 West Main Street just celebrated its 19th anniversary. Brenda Murnane of soda and soap destination, Beacon Bath & Bubble, has been in business here since 2006. Shirley Hot at The Pandorica Restaurant (165 Main Street) recently told us she originally opened the Cup and Saucer Tea Room in 2007 before transitioning it into her popular Dr Who-themed restaurant in 2014. She still serves afternoon tea every second Sunday of the month. We recommend booking early if earl grey tea and finger sandwiches are your thing since it’s often a sell-out event. Shirley told us “I’m very happy to live in a city where women can thrive.”
Another not-so-upbeat-anniversary that’s top of mind for many people right now is that of the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic. Fortunately for Beacon, it was a time when the community pulled together and supported one another. Sheryl Glickman of Notions N Potions (175 Main Street), which opened in 2010, told us, “We couldn’t have sustained during and after COVID without the help of the local community. We’re humbled and grateful for all the support over the years.” Beacon locals have shared stories with us of businesses helping the community during this particularly dark period. Sallye Ander (18 West Main Street) donated soap care packages to families, while Dennings Point Distillery (10 N. Chestnut Street) donated hand sanitizers made from their distilled alcohol, offering free fill ups at their door.
Giving back to the community
Witch Hazel, 176 Main Street.
We love that many of our women-owned businesses look for ways to support others in the community throughout the year. Witch Hazel (176 Main Street), the natural beauty apothecary owned by Jill Hilbrenner, is a great example. This beautiful store is curated with products using minimal plastic packaging or packaging that’s refillable. Witch Hazel donates to the National Park Foundation every month, and they keep an abundance of plastic packaging out of landfill by collecting community drop-offs for Terracycle product packaging recycling. Take advantage of this opportunity to do your bit for the planet if you haven’t done so yet. Just be sure to wash and dry the packaging first.
And there’s more. To celebrate the second anniversary of the store last year, Jill partnered with another female-owned business—Mundane from Cold Spring— to create a gorgeous smelling “Good Witch” candle that raised funds for Beacon’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF Beacon).
There are so many incredible female-owned businesses in Beacon, and more new stores opening, each with an amazing story. We look forward to sharing their stories in the coming months.
Where to find women-owned businesses in Beacon
Food & Drink
BJ’s (213 Main Street) owned by retired nurse, Barbara Sims, since 1978.
Bank Square & Trax Coffee Roasters | Nilufer’s Home Kitchen| Noble Pies | Stella’s Fine Market | Lick the Vegan Stuff |The Pandorica | Estilo Y Vino | Matcha Thomas | Butterhead Salad Co | BJ’s Restaurant | Bagel-ish | Lores Café | Tara’s Indian Fusion Cuisine | Dulce Cielo MX | Subway | Elixxr Café | All You Knead | Dennings Point Distillery | Ember & Grain | Beans Cat Café | Peaceful Provisions | Kitchen & Coffee | The Chocolate Studio | HV Marshmallow | Miss Tea | Barb’s Butchery
Shopping
Sallye Ander | Lewis & Pine | Utensil Kitchenware | Hunca Munca’s | Colorant | Distortion Society | Stella’s Fine Market | The Floral Society | Lily & Marigold | Beetle & Fred | Notions & Potions | Zakka Joy | Witch Hazel | Tibet Tree of Life | Artisan Wine Shop | Luxe Optique | Flora Good Times | House of Maxx | Two Sparrows Homestead | Accuprint Pack N’ Ship | Scarborough Fare | LotusWorks Wellness | Lady Gray Dress Shop | Finders Keepers | Psychedelic Sunset Vintage | Beacon Natural Market | Beacon Cheese Shop | Dirty Bacchus | Lulumae | Butterfull Convenience Store | Last Assortment | Blackbird Attic | Maryann’s | New Form Perspective | Beacon Bath & Bubble | Another Door | Raven Rose | Vintage Beacon | Village Jerk | Hyperbole | Sibling | Sybil | Stanza Books | Kaight | MariePierre Jewelry | King & Curated | Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique | Mountain Laurel Florist | Betsy Wise Bridal
Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts
Beacon Bed & Breakfast | Botsford Briar | Dutchess Inn & Spa | The Factory Hotel | The Swann Inn of Beacon
Salon, Spa, and Wellness
Giannetta Spa & Salon | Healing Massage by Jessica | Partner to Heal | A Lucky Cut Barber | Campbell & Campbell | The Blushery | Sant de la Rosa Hair Collective | Mane Street Hair & Co | DayDream Collaborative Clinic | Sullivan & Main Hair Salon | Kelta | Valley Spirit Wellness Center | Super Sweet Society Nail Studio | Beacon Pilates
Visit our Shop, Eat & Drink and Salon Directories for locations and to learn more about these amazing businesses.
If we missed your favorite women-owned business (and we’re pretty sure we’ve not included everyone), forgive us, it wasn’t intentional. Email us at hello@thebeaconbeaconny.com with the details and we’ll be sure to add them.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡