To celebrate Women’s History Month, here are five great female-owned businesses to support in the D.C. area.
Chef, founder and owner of Milkbar Christina Tosi has three different locations in D.C. including a flagship in Logan Circle. Tosi crafted the dessert program at Momofuku and later created Milk Bar. She is a two-time James Beard Award winner and has previously judged Masterchef and Masterchef Junior on FOX. Tosi is the mastermind behind crack pie, birthday cake truffles and sweet meets salty items like compost cookies and popcorn cake. 1090 I St. NW, 49 District Sq. SW and 1525 15th St. NW, milkbarstore.com
The independent bookstore owned by Laurie Gillman, opened after she began researching everything she could about creating a bookshop back in 2015. She quickly learned there was no indie bookstore in the eastern and southern parts of the city. Now, the East City Bookshop thrives at its location less than a block from the Eastern Market Metro. The store frequently is home to book club meetings, story times for children and author appearances. 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Suite 100, Washington, D.C., 202-290-1636, eastcitybookshop.com
The brainchild of owner and chef Tiffany MacIsaac, it’s hard not to smile when you walk into Buttercream Bakeshop’s sugary pink Shaw storefront. MacIsaac and her husband, Chef Kyle Bailey moved to D.C. a decade ago so he could open Birch & Barley. MacIsaac spent five years with the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s pastry program. It was there she ran 14 properties and was selected as a James Beard Award semi-finalist for three years in a row. Now at Buttercream Bakeshop, expect to see decadent treats like unicorn bars topped with edible glitter and traditional Buckeyes. 1250 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-735-0102, buttercreamdc.com
Jeweler Ann Hand’s patriotic baubles are a great choice for Washingtonian women. In fact, Hand herself designed the official pin worn by spouses of those in the House of Representatives. She’s also designed brooches for the Armed Services, Naval Academy and West Point. Hand started her business out of a cottage in her home garden over 30 years ago. Now she has an online store while maintaining a shop on Prospect St. NW. In addition to necklaces, earrings, bracelets, among other pieces. Hand also sells unique gifts like an American eagle letter opener and a collector’s edition Federal egg. 3236 Prospect St. NW, Washington, D.C., 202-333-2979, annhand.com
Proper Topper founder Anna Fuhrman has been in business since 1990. Her two locations in Dupont Circle and Cathedral Commons sell clothing, accessories and children’s items. It’s also home to D.C.-specific items like Fuhrman’s DC Proper Line of tanks, hoodies, tees and onesies. Now, Fuhrman’s husband and teenage daughter help out with the business. 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW and 3322 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-842-3055, propertopper.com
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