Happy International Women’s Day, CHS. Today we’re celebrating the women who are making an impact on our community– and that number is growing every day. Women-owned businesses have more than doubled in the last ten years, + the Charleston Regional Business Journal reports that across the state of South Carolina, businesses owned by women bring in about $16 billion. Meaning it’s time to pay a visit.

To make your pursuit to support these local ladies a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of a few of the Holy City’s women-owned business we frequent– from cat cafes to coworking spaces + beyond.

Ashley Brooks + Annaliese Hughes | Photo by: @pouncecatcafe

🐱 Pounce Cat Cafe | 📍283 Meeting St.
The South’s first cat cafe was founded by college friends Ashley Brooks + Annaliese Hughes who always joked about just dropping out and starting a cat cafe. Pounce opened in Dec. 2016 and since then has helped over 1,000 kittens + cats find furr-ever homes. They’ve now opened a second location in Savannah, Georgia.

🥗 Gnome Cafe | 📍109 President St.
The popular vegan eatery, which opened in 2015, is owned by Saramel Evans + Sara Grimshaw. Their mission is to prove that plant-based cuisine is delicious– for seasoned vegans + curious carnivores alike.

🌮 Taco Boy | 📍Downtown: 217 Huger St. + Folly Beach: 15 Center St.
As if you needed an excuse to eat more tacos. One of Charleston’s favorite taco + marg joints was founded by Karalee Fallert in 2006 on Folly, with the downtown location following three years later. April Bennett became a partner in 2017.

Mimi Striplin + Liz Martin | Photo by: @marybethcreates

🎈Cannonborough Collective | 📍185 A St. Philip St.
Founders Mimi Striplin + Liz Martin created a balloon + gift shop in downtown CHS, showcasing local brands merch. Additionally, the space can be rented after hours for private parties and hosts classes– from building your Instagram presence to how to arrange flowers for a centerpiece.

Katherine Frankstone | Photo by: @greyghostbakery

🍪 Grey Ghost Bakery | 📍Find a list of retailers here.

The genius behind Grey Ghost Bakery is Katherine Frankstone who believes in only the best, fresh + premium ingredients for her cookies. Her biz is named after the Grey Man– a Pawleys Island legend of a man who warns beachgoers of major incoming storms.

Here are a few other local, women-owned restaurants + businesses to consider supporting today:

We also recommend perusing the Charleston’s Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprise directory here.

Disclaimer: This is not a complete, definitive list of all of the women-owned businesses in Charleston. If we missed your fav, let us know in the comments below.