March is Women's History Month, so we're highlighting some of our favorite local businesses owned and operated by women. From restaurants and breweries to buzzy boutiques and community-centered nonprofits, here are few places where you can go to shop and support women-owned businesses this month and all year long.
Food and Beverage
From cat cafes and craft breweries to nationally acclaimed baked goods and soul food, these local ladies are bringing the flavor to Denver’s dining scene. Below are just a few fan-favorite Denver bakeries, bars, and restaurants owned and operated by women.
Breweries and Bars
- Tiffany Fixter, Brewability
A brewery and pizzeria designed intentionally for patrons and staff with disabilities. - Betsy Lay, Kate Power, and Jen Cuesta, Lady Justice Brewing
A locally focused brewery with a mission to support and empower women, girls, and nonbinary community members. - Fiona Arnold, Room for Milly
A small, vibrant cocktail lounge inspired by the unconventional, globe-trotting Milly Parker, who loved any excuse to travel and a good story.
Bakeries
- Laura Reynolds, Sara Bencomo, and Lisa Herman, Happy Bakeshop
An award-winning, nationally acclaimed bakery with the simple mission of crafting pastries that bring happiness. - Keturah Fleming, La Fillette
A French-inspired, from-scratch bakery also offering brunch, lunch, and a space for community gathering. - Angelia Han, Not Yo Mama’s Cupcakes
An undoubtedly unique take on baked goods that combine Han’s love for hip hop, her Asian heritage, and that universal pursuit of happiness.
Restaurants
- Fetien Gebre-Michael, Konjo Ethiopian Food
Colorado’s first fast-casual, health-focused Ethiopian dining experience. - Fathima Dickerson, Welton Street Café
With plans to relaunch in a new location very soon, this family-owned soul food staple remains a culinary and cultural pillar in the Five Points community. - Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton
Denver’s hottest dumpling truck turned brick-and-mortar.
Coffee Shops
- Carissa Beauchamp and Korah Sevier, Grounds for Dismissal Coffee
A neighborhood gem specializing in organic craft coffee and fresh baked pastries. - Leila Qari, Denver Cat Company
One of the country’s first cat cafés, committed to protecting, sheltering, and finding fur-ever homes for Denver cats and kittens. - Risë Jones, TeaLee’s Tea house and Bookstore
A Five Points tea house centered on the “art of conversation and engagement.”
Retail
Ethical fashion and small-batch beauty products, handmade jewelry and custom stationery — here are just a few local, women-owned boutiques where you can shop and support the bright, brilliant lady entrepreneurs of Denver.
Kimberlee Ward is the founder of Eternal Balance Candles. (Eternal Balance Candles)
Creative
- Jaime Jennings and Amber Corcoan, Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-Op
An employee-owned craft supply store — your “haven for all things textile and fiber-related.” - Megan Larson, Spunk and Love
Beautifully designed memory-keeping journals for parents. - Jill Alyn, Wordshop Paperie
Handmade notebooks, greeting cards, and other stationery from Denver’s only brick-and-mortar paperie.
Self-Care
- Kimberlee Ward, Eternal Balance Candles
A candle shop with a mission of encouraging intentional self-care and healing mental health. - Brittany Iseli, Joy Fill
Refillable and sustainable household, beauty, and personal care products for an eco-friendly lifestyle. - Tory Johnson and Rose Kalasz, Awakening Boutique
A sex-positive boutique offering a safe, fun, inclusive space to learn about and explore your sexuality. - Orion Brown, Black Travel Box
Hair and skin care products for Black women.
Tory Johnson and Rose Kalasz are the owners of Awakening, a sex-positive Denver boutique. (Awakening Boutique)
Gifts and Clothing
- Robin Lohre, Talulah Jones
A Certified Green lifestyle boutique pedaling home decor, children’s toys, handmade jewelry, and small-batch self-care products. - Julie Nygard, The Chocolate Therapist
A chocolate shop and gourmet coffee bar founded on the health benefits of all natural chocolate. - Paige Briscoe, ReRoot
A one-stop-shop for plant-lovers offering workshops, classes, and community connection. - Sarah Well and Dulcie Wilcox, Colorado Crafted
Creative custom gift boxes filled with locally sourced products and goodies. - Brandee Castle and Sara Graf, Judith & Joe
A clothing boutique founded on ethical, sustainable sourcing.
Nonprofits and Businesses that Give Back
These Denver organizations center on community, giving back, and furthering boss lady legacies. These are local agencies built by women for women and other communities who have historically faced oppression and discrimination.
Owner of Copper Door Coffee, Hannah Ulbrich. (Copper Door Coffee)
Community Connection
- Carla Ladd, Denver Black Pages
An online directory dedicated to empowering Colorado’s small Black-owned businesses. - Crystal Egli and Parker McMullen Bushman, Inclusive Guide
A digital guide that lists and ranks local businesses and community spaces based on their commitment to inclusivity and reputation for being a safe, welcoming environment for people of marginalized identities.- Psst! Hear from Parker herself on the City Cast Denver podcast 🎧
- Amanda Ogden, the mama’hood
A virtual and in-person community for new and expectant parents to find emotional and physical support, lasting friendships, and educational resources. - Patricia Ann Cameron, Blackpackers
A nonprofit promoting economic equity in outdoor recreation through education and excursion opportunities.- Psst! Hear from Patricia herself on the City Cast Denver podcast 🎧
President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, Kayla Garcia. (Girls Inc. of Metro Denver)
Nonprofit Organizations
- Tamra Ryan, Women’s Bean Project
Founded by Jossy Eyre in 1989, this nonprofit social enterprise / food manufacturer provides job training and employment to women facing social and economic barriers in the workforce. - Heather Beck, The Gathering Place
Founded in 1986 by Toni Schmid and Kathy Carfrae, The Gathering Place still operates today as a resource for women, transgender and non-binary individuals, and children facing poverty and instability. - Kayla Garcia, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
Founded in 1983 by Sonya Ulibarri, GIMD aims to foster safe spaces for young girls and women to reach their full potential.
Businesses that Give Back
- Kristina Thayer, Candelaria
A retail space for independent female makers and artisans to showcase their work. - Erika Righter, Hope Tank
A creative event space catering to local small businesses, especially those centered on the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities. - Hannah Ulbrich, Copper Door Coffee
Denver’s only 100% female owned coffee roaster supporting women farmers around the world.
