In honor of Women's History Month, we found the women who are making history in our community right now. With their sensations and creations, they all own and operate brick and mortar businesses in the Greater Lansing area. From gluten-free, vegan sweets, to healing herbs, to diversity-driven bookstores, to pottery-making courses and more, these shop owners are re-imagining useful products and services in innovative, fun ways. They are drawing on the brilliance of what it means to be a woman- their unique styles and expressions of femininity- to offer it back into their community.
Sweet Encounter Bakery & Café
After six years of operating her business out of her home, Nikki Thompson Frazier now has a storefront dedicated to her decadent sweet treats. Inspired by her daughter’s numerous allergies, she specializes in the creation of gluten-free, soy-free, peanut-free and vegan desserts- making desserts that neither compromise health nor taste to inclusively satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. She also provides classes for those who are interested in learning from her genius.
@sweetencounterbakery
300 S. Washington Square Suite
(Inside Knapp's Building off Washtensaw)
Lansing, MI 48933
Soulful Earth Herbs
Soulful Earth Herbals began from Kathaleen Parker’s journey of walking with plants, a passion for learning how to create personal products, and making simple herbal medicines without the use of chemicals or other potentially harmful ingredients. Soulful Earth Herbals is a connection between nature and the ability to listen to your body, then respond. Take a peak at some of the products available online right now.
@soulful.earth.herbals
1131 South Washington AVE REO TOWN Lansing, MI 48910
Socialight Society
Featured in The New York Times and Black Atlanta Star, Socialight Society is a local independent bookshop, celebrating Black women and Black literature. They offer classic, contemporary, and children’s titles predominately authored by Women of Color, who often lack representation in traditional bookstores. The founder and owner Nyshell Lawrence said, “My life and work is a celebration of Black womanhood. I started Socialight Society as a creative safe space where Black women can feel seen and celebrated.”
@socialightsociety
5454 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917 (Inside Lansing Mall)
Record Lounge
Headed by a record expert of sorts, the shop specializes in collectable, new, used and rare vinyl records. The vinyl selection here graces every genre from the last 150 years of recorded sound. Heather Frarey has been in business for 15 years now, remaining one of Michigan’s only female-owned record stores.
@recordlounge
1027 S. Washington Avenue Lansing, Michigan 48910
CoCo’s off the Rack
Owner Colleen “CoCo” Adams has owned her special-occasion fashion business in East Lansing for over 10 years. The boutique specializes in Bride, Mother of the Bride, Prom and Gala-type attire and gowns. Adams enjoys seeing generations grow up, as she serves them through recital wear to prom dresses and years later on their big day as Brides.
517.708.8434
3320 E. Lake Lansing Road
East Lansing, Michigan
Wheelhouse Studio
Wheel House Studio is an eclectic, hands-on creative space in REO Town emphasizing pottery creation. Their goal: Provide Lansing access to uncommon art equipment, materials and experiences. If you have ever wanted to make pottery on a wheel, this is the place to learn how. Wheel House offers small classes in a low pressure environment. Private lessons are available by appointment. On weekends, they host special events, ranging from life-casting, to pumpkin carving.
(517) 712-9013
@yourwheelhouse
1103 South Washington Ave.
Lansing MI United States 48910
Apple Blossom Kombucha
Caley Gunthorpe, the owner of Apple Blossom Kombucha, has been brewing up fermented tea for close ten years. Now, she's doing it out of her own taproom. Apple Blossom offers individual bottles and growler refills along with a variety of local products from other business owners. Gunthorpe strives to keep the company local to Michigan, from the boxes to the bottles and labels.
@appleblossomkombucha
3415 E Saginaw St
Lansing, MI 48912
Clean Refillery
The founder, Alexa Hecksel, implores that we can leave the world a little better by making some simple lifestyle changes. Her business offers people the opportunity to come fill up basic household items from their bulk supply, using glass containers to create sustainability and low-waste living in Greater Lansing. The shop has filled 9,674 bottles and counting. For a better idea of what products they offer, visit them online.
@cleanrefillery
1136 1/2 South Washington Avenue Lansing, MI 48910
Skin Studio 211
Lorin Cumberbatch knew that this was what she was born to do. She represents the beauty of black skin sharing the importance of skincare, She has grown to booking dual-locations in East and West Lansing. Her spa offers sugaring, waxing, microblading, a lash and brow bar, making it a one-stop dynamic shop for those who want to indulge in self-care and boast aesthetics.
@skinstudiowl
416 Elmwood Rd Lansing, MI 48917
@skinstudioel
541 East Grand River Ave, Suite F
East Lansing, MI 48823
Twisted Craft Cocktails
Founder and Owner, Nicolette Skerratt, started her craft cocktail business journey in November 2020 from home. Outgrowing her first space, Skerratt opened a storefront in downtown DeWitt. Each individual jar is filled with all that someone would need to have a refreshing, premium cocktail; just add libation. She also offers dispensers that are great for large gatherings, with recipes that make up to 80 cocktails. These mouth-watering creations are also available online and stocked in nearly 200 stores across the country.
@twistedcraftcocktails
126 E Main Street
DeWitt Michigan 48820
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