Maplewood Showcases Businesses During Women Making History Event

The fifth annual event held at featured more than 50 Maplewood businesses in a setting similar to a business fair.

A woman either manages or owns each business that participated, said Rachelle L'Ecuyer, community development director for the city of Maplewood. She organizes the event each year.

She said the event functions as a kickoff to Women's History Month while celebrating the large number of women-owned businesses in Maplewood. Out of a little more than 400 businesses in the city, 189 of them are owned or managed by a woman, L'Ecuyer said. That's up from 125 only four years ago.

Owners of restaurants, clothing stores, hair salons and nonprofit organizations set up booths at the event so visitors could learn more about their businesses.

"It shows you all the different fields women are working in," L'Ecuyer said.

Jennifer Williams, owner of Saint Louis Closet Company, said the fair is an example of how Maplewood supports its businesses.

She moved her company to a spot on Manchester Road in Maplewood in 1996 before relocating to the current location on Big Bend Boulevard in 2007. Three months after that, she opened Saint Louis Cellars next door.

"Male or female, it's good to be a business owner in Maplewood," Williams said.