Many independent businesses call Downtown Frederick and the area around it home. In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s a spotlight on three of many businesses in Downtown Frederick that are owned by women.

Peridot, a metaphysical supply store, is owned by Kaitlyn Kauffman and Christine Hajek on Main Street New Market. Vintage MC, owned by Mindy Cawley, sells vintage furniture and clothes, as well as local and vintage-inspired art. Lastly, Hippy Chick Hummus, a vegan cafe owned by Erika Brown.

“My favorite part of running Peridot is getting to interact with our customers and being a part of our small-town community.” Kauffman, co-owner of Peridot stated.

Kauffman’s store is a treasure trove of crystals and stones, incense, books, clothes, and jewelry. It’s a wonderful addition to Main Street New Market’s small yet tight-knit community of artists and merchants. “Many of the businesses here on Main Street are woman-owned,” Kauffman reports.

Many small businesses work to address a gap in the market. “I couldn’t find vintage furniture locally and realized there was a market for it. Nobody was doing mid-century modern in the area at that time, so I decided to bring the style to Frederick,” said Mindy Cawley, owner of Vintage MC.

“Ten years later, everyone is doing [that style],” Cawley’s shop is a bright welcoming place, with vintage home decor and furniture as well as vintage inspired accessories. Currently, Cawley’s big goal for the future is to continue to build the online side of her business.

Hippy Chick Hummus is a vegan cafe in Downtown Frederick. As the only fully vegan restaurant, they shoulder a lot of the demand for plant-based diners, in addition to selling packaged hummus in stores around Frederick.

“I have always relished being a woman in a male-dominated field because I definitely think there are advantages to that. I think it took a few years into the business for my male peers to view me as serious and an equal,” Cafe-owner Erika Brown voices.

It’s clear when you walk into the cafe that it’s a welcoming space for all, as Brown said she wanted to “create a place that you want to experience in the world that is unique to who you are as a person.”

This March, be sure to stop by one of these shops and allow yourself to be inspired by the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of these business owners.