As the celebration of Women’s History Month continues, we are featuring 50 of NYC’s Best Women-owned businesses that contribute to the landscape of female entrepreneurship in NYC. Each of these women has a different story, but we can all relate in one way or another. In NYC, there are approximately 108,701 women-owned businesses. As women, we are responsible for seeking out women-owned businesses and supporting them during Women’s History month and beyond.
Here are 50 of NYC’s Best Women-Owned Businesses to Support.
Brooklyn
Awesome Brooklyn
In Prospect Lefferts Gardens [PLG], there is Awesome Brooklyn, a brick-and-mortar store where you can purchase anything from gifts to home items. In addition, there is an online store. At Awesome you can find something for everyone including fabulous candles, wall art, games, puzzles, et cetera.
Awesome is brought to you by Vanessa Raptopoulos and her daughter Athena who spends almost as much time at Awesome as Vanessa does. Still, we must mention their biggest supporter, Vanessa’s husband, Miles. The store opened in November of 2017 and has been a neighborhood favorite since.
617 Flatbush Avenue–PLG
653 Flatbush Avenue–PLG
(718) 928-7484
Happy Cork
Happy Cork is a wine and spirits travel shop with a strong community focus. Founded in 2019 by Sunshine Foss, Happy Cork is not only woman-owned but also Black-Owned and carries the largest selection of black and minority-owned wine and spirits. Fross is passionate about highlighting and showcasing brands often underserved and overlocked to the surrounding community and all who travel to Happy Cork.
Happy Cork offers unbeatable customer service encouraging visitors to ask questions while leisurely browsing. Since opening our doors, Happy Cork’s team has committed to tasting every bottle sold in the shop to ensure it is delicious. In addition, Fross focuses on keeping prices affordable.
51 Buffalo Avenue–Crown Heights
(347) 985-9067
String Thing Studio
At String Thing Studio, there is something for everyone. From knitting to crocheting, String allows you to explore a favorite hobby or find a new one. In addition, there are classes, workshops, and products available.
Felicia Eve created String Thing Studio, a yarn-lover haven and creative space to nurture your creativity, meet fellow fiber enthusiasts, take up a new hobby, or reserve our outdoor space for events [birthday parties, showers, book club].
From the beautiful array of yarns for a wide range of tastes, this Black and woman-owned studio will offer three events this March where you are encouraged to bring your current projects—on the 10th, 17th, and 24th.
54 7th Avenue–Prospect Heights
(929) 337-6130
A.I.R. Gallery
A.I.R. Gallery is a permanent exhibit space that was founded in 1972, a space that supports the open exchange of ideas and risk-taking by women and non-binary artists to provide support and visibility.
The artist-run non-profit arts organization and exhibition space is a self-directed governing body. The organization is an alternative to mainstream institutions and thrives on its network of active participants. A. I. R. hosts many events, lectures, and symposia on feminism, art, et cetera, and exhibits the work of hundreds of women artists each year.
155 Plymouth Street—Dumbo
(212) 255-6651
Big Night
Katherine Lewin founded Big Night in 2021 in her Greenpoint neighborhood. The one-stop shop is a place to discover ingredients that will bring extra joy to every meal, pieces to make your dining table your favorite restaurant, and gifts for every kind of person who loves to eat, cook, and/or host.
Carrying a curated collection of glassware, flatware, table linens, condiments, tinned fish, olive oil, et cetera sourced from all over the country and world, Big Night for the hostess and guest.
154 Franklin Street–Greenpoint
(718) 218-4346
Catbird
Catbird is known for dainty everyday jewelry made consciously in their Brooklyn studio using sustainable 14k solid gold and ethically sourced stones. You can expect high-quality pieces, including Catbird’s signature stackable and knuckle rings, crafted in their Brooklyn studio that is priced well.
The thriving studio had humble beginnings at a cheap, busted storefront in Williamsburg in 2004, where owner Rony Vardi received help from friends and family to build it out. While selling odds and ends, including jewelry she made—it was during that time that Vardi realized her love for all things jewelry. So in 2006, the store on Bedford Avenue was opened, focusing on jewelry, and the Catbird line was born.
Catbird works with over 95% recycled 14k gold and diamonds and aims to treat everyone with respect and dignity, including staff, customer and the community.
108 N 7th Street—Williamsburg
253 Centre Street—SoHo
(718) 599 2340
Mogutable
Mogutable (pronounced “mo-gu-table”) was founded in 2019 by sisters Yingchi and Yuchen and was born from a love of food and the experience of food. It was, however, not necessarily about the food but the stories told through the setting and objects used during the meal. The sisters, born and raised in Taiwan and now based in Brooklyn, aim to share products that elevate your routines and the things in your life.
Mogutable features a curated selection of well-designed, beautiful tableware and home goods sourced from Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea, and the U.S.
130 Grand Street—Williamsburg
(929) 426-6185
Talea Beer Co
Telea [pronounced tah-lay-uh] is a shared passion and Vision of LeAnn and Tara, who met after leaving their respective jobs in tech and media to enter the beer industry. The goal was to create a different beer company to expand the craft beer market in a male-dominated industry.
TALEA’s beers are approachable and inclusive. It is high quality and low bitterness with fruit-forward flavors. It is a beer you can comfortably share with your hard-seltzer and wine-drinking friends.
87 Richardson Street—Williamsburg
Love, Nelly
Love, Nelly was Named in honor of co-owner and baker Stephanie Gallardo’s mom—a wholesale South American-inspired bakery in Ocean Hill specializing in handmade empanadas.
53 Rockaway Avenue—Ocean Hill
347 240 6951
Gone To The Dogs
Jennifer and Santos are long-time pet parents who create Gone to the Dogs to counter the lack of transparency and responsibility in producing pet goods—it is an ethical platform to share their ideas and collaborate with talented makers and artisans.
In this women-owned business, it is a priority to partner with a diverse group of women who share the commonality of the lack of opportunity to harness an independent income. They collaborate with makers from low-income and immigrant communities in the local NYC area and marginalized communities in the Global South.
103 7th Avenue—Park Slope
Alternative Synergy The Company
Alternative Synergy The Company [ASTC] is a Brooklyn performance and dance company founded by Amanda Spilinga, an Italian girl in Brooklyn. ASTC was created with the vision that the power of movement changes attitudes, lives, and, ultimately, the world.
The company exists to transform lives through movement because, in striving to grow, we get more clarity about who we are and what we want to achieve. ASTC offers drop-in classes every Wednesday throughout 2023.
Bar Beau
Bar Beau is a hidden cocktail bar and kitchen owned by Claire Chan, offering a seasonal menu utilizing pan-Asian ingredients to translate traditional flavors uniquely. In addition, they offer a selection of innovative craft cocktails and natural wines.
61 Withers Street—Border Greenpoint + Williamsburg
(917) 909-1960
Life Wellness Center, Bed–Stuy
Khadija Tudor and Ade Collman created the Life Wellness Center in 2015 to remind you to take care of your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being intentionally.
The mission to spark awareness about our health, self-love, and how we care for our bodies is at the core of the services and the products at Life Wellness Center.
Experience therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic services to help improve your physical and mental well-being.
376 Tompkins Avenue–Bedford Stuyvesant
(347) 461-9939
Da Spot NYC Boutique
Da Spot NYC [“DA SPOT”] is a unique fashion boutique featuring 25+ creative brands by people of color and was launched in a 100sqft retail space with just three indie brands in addition to its owners.
Within six months of the launch of the DA SPOT by three creatives, it grew to house twenty-five brands. DA SPOT is more than a boutique. It is a platform for creativity. It also hosts creative workshops, business panels, art shows, and live performances for the community.
445 Albee Square West–Downtown Brooklyn
(347) 903-6729
Happy Buds BK
Happy Buds is a CBD Wellness Shop owned by two women, focusing on community.
225 Malcolm X Boulevard–Bedford Stuyvesant
(718) 841-9626
Busayo, Brownsville
Busayo was created by a Nigerian-born woman who wanted to continue to explore traditions and how they influence the present, with a strong belief in the power of color to communicate dynamism and personality on an individual level.
With the belief that Textiles are a rich medium that connects the past with the present. Busayo uses Adire, a traditional Yoruba textile dyeing technique that began in Southwest Nigeria at the turn of the 20th century, to create unique and radically different fabrics. The Methods involve tie/dye and batik, allowing playing with various colors and textures.
2001 Strauss Street–Brownsville
(510) 205-9629
Cafe Grumpy
Cafe grumpy is a coffee shop. We founded Café Grumpy in 2005 with the dream of serving great tasting specialty coffee to everyone in a welcoming environment. Since the beginning days of working behind the bar at our first location in Greenpoint to present day where we have grown to eleven locations; we have always been hands-on and devoted to making this company the best it can be.
199 Meserole Street—Greenpoint
(718) 349-7623
La Rossi Pizza
La Rossi Pizza creates Sustainable, locally sourced frozen pizza. Frozen pizza that tastes just as good as pizza from a brick oven. The simplicity of local, earth-friendly ingredients paired with the innovation of Italian technology and expertise features four available pizzas, including Margherita, Maialina, Veggie, and Just Crust.
63 Flushing Avenue, Building 152—Brooklyn
Manhattan
Strand Book Store
The Strand was born in 1927 on Fourth Avenue and was called “Book Row.” It is a community-focused bookstore where books are loved, and book lovers of all kinds are always welcome.
The Strand was founded initially by Ben Bass with just $300 and was later passed on to his son Fred; however, Nancy Fred’s daughter now manages the store. The store now carries over 2.5 million used, new, and rare books, covering topics as far-ranging as occult to philosophy to finance.
828 Broadway–East Village
(212) 473-1452
the ness
The Ness offers a different approach to movement proving an intimate experience where you feel good while focusing on your goal.
You can expect a challenging experience with various classes—from group instruction to private training to live and on-demand sessions you can do anywhere.
406 Broadway Level Three—TribeCa
(914) 233-6630
Coming Soon
Coming Soon is a furniture design + gift shop founded by Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria in 2013, right at the intersection of New York’s Lower East Side and Chinatown. It is a dynamic place constantly changing, with new works always Coming Soon. Find Beautifully created and curated, designed items for the home.
53 Canal Street—Lower East Side + China Town
(212) 226-4548
Fishs Eddy
Fishs Eddy was influenced in the 80s by the namesake small town in Upstate New York. Eddy’s beginning started with discovering unwanted dishes in sub-basements in the Restaurant District. But they were more than just dishes— they were pieces of historical significance.
And so they began designing their patterns on the same beautiful ”ware” made in America, 100% vitrified, sturdy, durable, and made with LOVE from places like Buffalo, New York, and Newell, West Virginia.
889 Broadway—Flatiron
(212) 420-9020
The Well
The Well began to make wellness a part of the everyday. Co-Founded by Rebecca Parekh is a thoughtfully designed space for whole-person healing. By bringing together multiple healing practices under one roof, The Well is your one-stop shop for wellness—integrating modern medicine and ancient healing to deliver whole-person care.
2 East 15th Street—Flatiron
(646) 560-8080
Daybreaker
Daybreaker was born over falafels in Brooklyn—founder Radah wanted to reimagine mornings, and a multigenerational community was born. With Daybreaker, you break the day with dance, energy, intention, and joy.
Multiple NYC locations, including One World Trade Center, The William Vale Rooftop, and Edge at Hudson Yard
(917) 540-5454
The Frankie Shop
Native Française-turned-New Yorker Gaëlle Drevet founded The Frankie Shop in 2014. The aim was to provide stylish women’s clothing and accessories for women like herself who wanted to look good but also remain authentically themselves.
Synonymous with smart, oversized suiting and trademark style of a signature aesthetic rooted in individuality and unfettered self-expression that are modern and timeless.
100 Stanton Street—Lower East Side
(212) 253 0953
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Maryam Nassir Zadeh is a Lower East Side boutique featuring an array of eclectic mix of items ranging from clothing to home goods.
The owner Maryam created a unique and personal space that houses designer clothes to handpicked flea market find on handmade wooden tables.
123 Norfolk Street—Lower East Side
212 673 6405
Dancers Unlimited [DU]
Linda Kuo created Dancers Unlimited to give back to her community—Bi-coastal 501 (C) 3 Nonprofit company based in NYC and Hawaii. Community and culture are at the forefront of DU. When the Department of Education cut funding which resulted in canceled classes on Fridays in Hawaii. Linda’s love for dance and her community compelled her to offer FREE dance classes to students affected by the cuts.
Du was established in 2009 and presented works at festivals in Hawaii, New York, and Asia—the company aims to create authentic movement narratives for community advance through creative collaboration, community engagement, and Social Justice work.
Ovenly
Agatha Kulaga and Erin Patinkin founded Ovenly—the award-winning retail and wholesale bakery based in New York City that specializes in that magic intersection between savory and sweet.
Ovenly is an opportunity to improve business by creating a diverse environment while satisfying your sweet tooth.
523 Hudson Street—West Village
(888) 899-2213
Pine & Polk
The “story begins a decade ago when co-founders Lindsay and Alyssa befriended one another while living on intersecting streets in San Francisco. One lived on Pine Street, the other on Polk. “Meet you on the corner of” became the opening line to their many adventures together.”
The artisanal retail shop, Pine & Polk, focused on food and culinary in addition to a complemented by a secret bar. The tailor-made signature cocktails use ingredients influenced by San Francisco and NYC.
300 Spring Street—South Village
(646) 599-6382
Tagmo
Award-winning chef Surbhi Sahni created TAGMO, an intimate NYC Indian restaurant, bar, and mithai shop. The menu features homestyle regional cuisine from across India made fresh, cooked slow, and vegetable-forward with harmoniously balanced flavors.
Their storefront doubles as a mithai sweet shop filled with small-batch Indian confectionery made by hand without preservatives. Available in gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free collections.
226 Front Street—South Street Seaport
(212) 285-2253
Funny Face Bakery
In April 2016, Sarah Silverman transformed a tiny hole-in-the-wall in the East Village into her first bakery. Funny Face Bakery is a beloved bakery brand and neighborhood gem offering custom face cookies.
In August 2016, Funny Face created its first signature hand-painted Custom Face Cookie, and the custom cookie portrait cookie was born. Art work that is too pretty to eat.
6 Fulton Street—South Street Seaport
(212) 480-4004
Love Adorned
Love Adorned was created by veteran retailer Lori Leven, housing curated inventory informed by years of traveling and collecting with a focus on vintage jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces, and artisanal home decor.
The shop is a shift away from throwaway culture that values utility, aesthetics, and craftsmanship.
269 Elizabeth Street–Soho
(212) 473-0007
Sweet Pickle Books
Sweet Pickle Books is a quaint shop featuring a beautiful collection of books, vintage novels, and merchandise for pickle lovers. A fun-filled space with adorable signs to their pickle jars tucked between books.
47 Orchard Street—Lower East Side
(646) 649-2484
Chillhouse, SoHo
Chillhouse was built on the premise that you can replicate SPA-LIKE EXPERIENCES from the comfort of your home, but when you do not feel like then, they are available for you. The spa features a wellness café and a menu offering facials, massages, nails, and pedicure services.
75 Varick Street—SoHo
(347) 537-5742
McNally Jackson
McNally Jackson is where you can explore the world by browsing books arranged by country.
52 Prince Street—Nolita
(212) 274-1160
Harlem
Honey Biotanics
Born out of necessity – Honey Botanics was founded by Aisha Darboe and began as a way to find an effective solution that corrected skin using clean, safe and non-toxic ingredients. The Brand’s core mission is to help people treat their skin conditions without compromising skin health.
Honey Botanics is committed to Beauty and Sustainability – from environmentally-friendly packaging to vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free skincare products.
220 Saint Nicholas Avenue – Harlem
Queens
Dawang
Dawang was established in 2018 to weave together the influences of the East and the West. Chinese-born Daisy Wang created the New York-based streetwear brand to celebrate and modernize traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Wang merges American and Chinese cultures into her designs by joining traditional chinoiserie apparel and Chinese fabrics with Western tailoring techniques and trends.
4301 22nd Street Studio 257—Long Island City
Makina Cafe
Café founder Eden G. Egziabher was raised amidst a vibrant mix of Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Italian cultures. “Makina” translates to “truck” in all three of these countries’ languages, whose cultures influence the mosaic of flavors found on the mobile cafe’s menu.
Eden prides herself on being the first Eritrean-American female entrepreneur in NYC with a food truck serving “Habesha” food. Offering Tasty, healthy, nutritious, and unique bites, Makina Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch to New Yorkers tired of the same old take-out options.
30-47 30th street—Long Island City
(917) 426-5649
Cuisine By Claudette
Claudette Flatow founded Cuisine by Claudette. Flattow turned her culinary talents into a rewarding venture after a decade of teaching intimate cooking classes to neighbors from her small Rockaway kitchen.
The casual health-conscious cafe and provisions store is a neighborhood staple that has been a part of the Rockaway community since 2012. The menu offers made-from-scratch baked goods, gourmet coffee, and mouth-watering food made fresh from quality ingredients.
143 Beach 116th Street—Far Rockaway
(718) 945-5511
Earth & Me
Kayli Kunkel funded Earth & Me Queens, New York’s first Zero Waste boutique. It was created to bring self-care products to the public that do not involve extra packaging, single-use plastic, or unpronounceable ingredients.
The brick-and-mortar store offers a complete selection of zero-waste home and self-care products—all of the best sustainable products made with integrity and love. In addition, the store provides eco-friendly delivery to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Kunkel hopes to educate people on a zero-waste lifestyle because she believes this is what it takes to change environmental norms and policy—sustained grassroots pressure.
30-38 Steinway Street—Astoria
(347) 730-6156
Form + Flow
Shelly Yang founded Form + Flow, a community hub that blends yoga, art, and wellness to inspire and nurture the soul. With diverse cultural background Yang weaved together her knowledge of Eastern philosophy and wisdom with Western culture to her dynamic teachings of yoga.
At Form + Flow, you will find a place of peace, positivity, and holistic wellness offering yoga, breath work, sound meditation, cacao ceremony, and a diverse range of holistic practices to help you find your inner peace.
27-05 41st Avenue, Studio-3—Long Island City
Nneji
Nneji is a West African Restaurant in Queens offering soup/grain pairings, baked goods, cold beverages, and other Caribbean products. The small batch preparation and the finest ingredients help Nneji bring West African cuisine to others.
32-20 34th Avenue—Astoria
(917) 832-733
Events By Nikki Diaz
Originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Nikki Diaz created Events by Nikki Diaz in 2015, a fully insured boutique, home-based floral studio in Arverne, Queens. The couple’s love story inspires Diaz, but her designs are further boosted by the first bouquet ever sent and the uniqueness of the couple’s relationship.
The couple’s likes and dislikes and the emotions they want to invoke when guests arrive at their wedding are information Diaz uses to create intimate designs that reflect the client.
Arverne—Queens
(917) 685-8797
Bronx
The Lovely You
The Lovely You was founded by Yulisa, mother of three who is passionate about beauty, confidence and being patient throughout your growth.
Obtaining a certificate from Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care, and Makeup, Yulisa turned her self-taught hobby into a full-time career.
By Appointment Only
(929) 422-2180
Staten Island
Sherbet With Sprinkles
Sherbet With Sprinkles offers handmade personalized creations, including hair accessories, jewelry, and whimsical home decor. Unique finds for special moments.
Staten Island—New York
Web Based
Sundae Service
Sundae Service was founded in 2020—a minority, female-owned artisanal creamery. An online ice cream parlor that sells unique, primarily Asian-inspired ice cream made.
Chelsea Market Lower Level
75 9th Avenue—New York
Essex Market Lower Level
115 Delancey Street—New York
abacaxi
abacaxi garments make use of traditional textile techniques from India and around the world. Handloom weaving, mirrorwork beading, schiffli embroidery, and plant-dyeing are just a few of the processes involved in our productions. Balancing bold color, handcrafted techniques, and an innovative play on traditional silhouettes, abacaxi is South Asian-American designer Sheena Sood’s wearable vision.
Fallon & Ava
Fallon & Ava was founded by sister Fallon King and Ava King. The apparel brand that designs the classic turtleneck for every woman—the idea was influenced by their mother who dressed them in turtle neck and jeans.
They are the only brand that specializes in turtlenecks with the intent to be a timeless, must-have staple that can look equally elegant in a business meeting, on a date, or even at a black tie event.
(412) 298-4225
Adá Supper Club
Nkem started Adá as a supper club in 2020 to give Black chefs the respect and admiration they deserve. The super club aims to spotlight the stories talented Black Chefs are telling through their food.
The focus is on people, foods, and traditions often excluded from the culinary conversation to provide thoughtful, multi-course dining experiences delivered to your door and to enjoy in the comfort of your home.
hello@withada.co
Golde
Trinity Mouzon Wofford partnered with her partner Issey to launch Golde with a single product [the Original Turmeric Latte Blend]. Born in Brooklyn in 2017 from a one-bedroom apartment Golde has grown with accessibility to superfoods to effortlessly boost your daily routine, from morning smoothies to skincare.
The mission is to make wellness easy, accessible, and fun. The team at Golde believes that being well should feel good. That means products that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, not the other way around.
hello@golde.co
METAFLORA
METAFLORA is a New York City-based floral design co-created by Marisa Competello. Known for its minimal, sculptural, and obscure juxtapositions of elements.
Always striving to create unique and rare designs for projects of all sizes, METAFLORA offers flowers for delivery and is also available for events, installations, weddings, and much more.
Info@metafloranyc.com
And there it is, 50 of NYC’s Best women-owned businesses to support year-round. Please comment below and share your recommendations for NYC’s Best women-owned businesses.
