The economic-development focus of York, Pennsylvania city officials and groups like Downtown, Inc. is aimed at the city’s core.
There, investments in streetscape improvements, public art and historic landmarks like Central Market have created a vibrant stretch of retail shops and independent restaurants.
Sonia Huntzinger, executive director of Downtown Inc, said she’d never really stopped to think about the fact that women are the primary drivers of busy storefronts on West Philadelphia and North Beaver streets.
In just those few blocks, women-owned businesses include Nuts About Granola, Sweet Melissa’s Dream, Indigo Bleu, Just Cupcakes, Cherie Anne Designs, Kimman’s Co., Sunrise Soap Co., The Watchmaker’s Daughter, Foster’s Flower Shop, Esaan, My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe, Park Street Pantry, Arthur & Daughters and Lotus Moon Yoga.
And that doesn’t include the many female vendors inside Central Market — Sharmini’s Kitchen, Under One Sun, Take Five Expresso Bar, Bair’s Fried Chicken and Global Cafe, to name a few.