Women to Watch: 16 New Woman-Owned Jersey City Businesses
March is Women’s History Month, and in honor of trailblazing women everywhere, Everything Jersey City is celebrating by highlighting these 16 new women-owned businesses opened in Jersey City within the last year. Whether you’re looking for a new place to eat, shop, or explore, these entrepreneurial women have you covered. Read on to learn more about these women to watch!
Arcos Upcycled
Arcos Upcycled is a new arrival to the downtown Jersey City scene, opened in March 2022 by Jersey City resident and mother Tatiana Tavares. The shop features beautiful hand-crafted accessories made from upcycled high fashion silk prints, including silk belts, headbands, masks, Apple watch accessories, and more, all with a focus on sustainability and fashion. As a single mother with a neurobehavioral developmental disorder, Tavares was inspired to start her business to have more time to spend with her 7-year-old son!
Opened: March 2022 (selling products since December 2020)
Address: 521 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07310 (Upper Level – Downtown JC annex of Aoua’s Perfect Braids Salon)
Website: www.arcosnyc.com
Social Media: Instagram
Ashley’s Artisan Treats
In November 2021, lifelong Jersey City resident Ashley Edwards opened Ashley’s Artisan Treats. In this artisanal chocolate shop, she designs personalized chocolate-covered strawberry arrangements, pretzels, Rice Krispie treats, and luxury edible gift sets. Edwards said her goal is “to take a classic romantic treat and breathe new life into it with bright colors, custom edible messages, fresh flowers and sometimes wine😉.” In just under 100 days since launching, she has designed over 100 orders for clients and will be participating in JC Restaurant Week, running March 7-20, 2022.
Opened: November 2021
Website: linktr.ee/ashley_treats
Social Media: Instagram Facebook TikTok
Cafe Quetzal
Inspired by the large Guatemalan community in the Bergen-Lafayette area, Guatemalteco Restaurant & Bakery was created back in 2013 by Suly Merida’s parents. In hopes of carrying on the family tradition and continuing to spreading awareness of Guatemalan culture, Merida opened Cafe Quetzal in 2022 as a spin-off to the original restaurant, with the focus on providing authentic Guatemalan street foods & baked goods (including artfully decorated cakes for every occasion) in a cozy cafe setting.
Opened: February 2022
Address: 309 Pacific Ave Jersey City, NJ 07304
Website: www.cafequetzaljc.com
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
Charcuterie by Sarah
Charcuterie by Sarah is a new business launched in December 2021 by Greenville resident Sarah Mohammed, specializing in elegant charcuterie boards, boxes, cups, and even curated letters or numbers for any occasion! Sarah incorporates elements of her heritage from Trinidad & Tobago into her creations and has crafted charcuterie boards for events, including anniversary celebrations, marriage proposals, corporate events, and more.
Opened: December 2021
Website: To order, email Charcuterie.by.sarah84@hotmail.com
Social Media: Instagram or Facebook
CITY|SHORE BAKERY
City|Shore Bakery founder and lead baker Melissa Russo has a background in Modern and Contemporary Art History and Studio Arts and worked for years managing art collections and planning events. In 2021, she combined her artistic passion and love for culinary creations in this new venture. Now, she creates delicious bespoke cakes and desserts for special occasions to help bring clients’ creative visions to life. Melissa’s motto is that “any celebration is not complete without a beautiful and delicious menu.”
Opened: April 2021
Website: www.cityandshorebakery.com
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
Dream Vista Cafe & Event Shop
Dream Vista is a Mediterranean-inspired cafe in Paulus Hook offering a relaxed and friendly environment in a bright, airy space with indoor and outdoor seating. Balsayat Jorayeva opened this woman-owned cafe in August 2021. Stop by Dream Vista to try specialty coffees, bakery items, plus breakfast and brunch menus. They also host events in their backyard space, including birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, and more. Don’t leave without checking out the on-site shop, featuring jewelry, coffee beans (you can never have enough caffeine!), and vintage dinnerware.
Opened: August 2021
Address: 177 York St Jersey City, NJ 07302
Website: coming soon!
Social Media: Instagram
DT Party Stylist
If you’re looking to bring your vision for your next special occasion to life, DT Party Stylist is here to help! This elegant event decor and balloon installation company was started by Jersey City resident Dinara Tejada in the summer of 2021 and offers bespoke balloon installations, arches, bouquets, as well as curated event design and full planning services. Tejada says that she offers “not only balloons but also my taste, my vision, my elegance” to ensure that your next event is a wow-worthy celebration.
Opened: August 2021
Website: Inquire via Instagram for bookings
Social Media: Instagram
Graceful Skin Waxing
After years spent working for European Wax Center in roles from trainee to manager, Shirley Gathers-Houghton decided to bring her own vision to life by launching Graceful Skin Waxing in December 2021. She specializes in hair removal for men and women and strives to make the studio feel like a safe place for all. If it’s your first wax, “you might come in feeling nervous, but you will leave with so much confidence and joy.” Waxing is a passion for her, and Gathers-Houghton said she enjoys “making people feel beautiful and coaching them through such a vulnerable experience.“
Opened: December 2021
Address: 127 Christopher Columbus Drive, Suite 2 Jersey City, NJ 07310
Website: www.gracefulskinwaxing.org
Social Media: Instagram
Made of Leaves
Made of Leaves is a boutique florist located in The Heights, specializing in whimsical, bohemian floral design focusing on sustainability. Owner Meghan Kramer started Made of Leaves by selling mini bouquets outside coffee shops, yoga studios, and eventually artisan markets, and has grown from sidewalk shops to designing one-of-a-kind weddings and events. Inspired by nature, Made of Leaves incorporates locally-sourced, seasonal florals into free-spirited, ethereal arrangements.
Opened: May 2021
Website: www.madeofleaves.com
Social Media: Instagram
MEGA JC
Ready to work up a sweat? MEGA JC fitness studio has you covered, with their signature MEGA-STRIDE™ class featuring state-of-the-art Lagree EVO Megaformer® machines and Technogym Skillrun 5000 treadmills for a workout that combines precision movements with futuristic cardio training. Studio owner Kyra Huxel strives to cultivate an inclusive and supportive community where everyone feels welcome to recharge and challenge themselves.
Opened: September 2021
Address: 150 Bay Street, 2nd Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Website: https://www.megajc.fit/
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
Music Maker Soul Shaker
Tara Lawton Voice Studio, owned by vocalist and Hamilton Park resident Tara Lawton, is launching a new program for children aged 4-6 titled Music Maker, Soul Shaker: Kids Music & Yoga Program for Self-Regulation.” This six-week online program will utilize music and yoga to teach little ones the knowledge they’ll need to create their own emotional self-regulation kit while having fun along the way! This six-week virtual program begins March 26, 2022.
Opened: March 2022
Website: www.taralawton.com/musicmakersoulshaker
Social Media: Facebook Instagram YouTube
Pampered Pug NACKIES
Pampered Pug LLC is a woman-owned small business in Jersey City selling NACKIES, which are homemade, single-ingredient dehydrated dog treats made in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. NACKIES contain no preservatives, additives, grains, or fillers – just the protein that dogs love! As a dog owner of a pug with several food allergies, founder and Heights resident Alexandra Guzman understands the importance of using real ingredients, so you know exactly what you’re feeding your furry friend.
Opened: September 2021
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PamperedPugNackies
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
PLNTD
PLNTD is a boutique plant shop and apothecary located in Downtown Jersey City offering houseplants ranging from common easy-to-care-for plants to rare and exotic finds, as well as plant accessories, and each plant comes with care instructions and wellness benefits of the plant. The shop also features books, home goods, and wellness products made by local female creators. With their shop, co-owners (and sisters!) Danielle and Lauren Gambino are striving to “shine a light on local woman-owned businesses…to support the talented women in our community.”
Opened: October 2021
Address: 16 Erie St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Website: www.plntdshop.com
Social Media: Instagram
Raine N River Apothecary
This downtown JC apothecary, opened in June 2021 by Natasha Bony, specializes in remedies including tinctures, salves, powders, and elixirs prepared on-site with fresh herbs. You can also find a wide range of herbal teas, plus skincare products, candles, and metaphysical tools, including crystals, incense, and tarot cards. On weekends, the shop hosts events such as tarot readings and workshops. Bony envisions the shop as a place to hold space for the community, and there’s something for everyone on her shelves! (Check out our full profile of Raine N River Apothecary here!)
Opened: June 2021
Address: 299 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Website: www.rainenriver.com
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
Socially Deviant Media
Socially Deviant Media is a one-stop social media shop that was just launched by Bergen-Lafayette resident Megan Ixim. In today’s digital age, a strong social media presence is a necessity for any brand. As a branding specialist, content creator, and social media manager, Megan helps brands identify their target audience and create compelling social media campaigns that align with their ideal brand image. According to Megan, “Socially Deviant Media is all about taking up space and having our clients’ voices seen and heard.”
Opened: March 2022
Website: meganixim.com
Social Media: Instagram
The Living Room JC
The Living Room is a black and woman-owned home goods store opened recently downtown by Jersey City mama Francesca Dulce Larson. The Living Room intentionally and inclusively curates their goods “to reflect the incredible diversity of our Jersey City community.” They carry 20+ Jersey City & local New Jersey brands, and over 70% of the products in the store are sourced from women- and minority-owned businesses. Larson said she designed the Living Room to be a space for “lingering, laughter, and little ones.” This is reflected in the design of the shop, which features free stroller parking, a kid’s corner, a community easel, and a chill space for guests to relax. (Make sure to sit in the burgundy velvet chair to feel like a true royal!)
Opened: October 2021
Address: 277 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Website: www.livingroomco.com
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
Yes And Goods
When Jackie Metz was laid off from her job working in human resources for a corporate fashion brand during the pandemic, she decided the time was right to launch her business, YES AND GOODS. This eclectic boutique offers a mix of upscale smoking accessories including her own handmade glass creations and a curated collection of goods from other artisans, along with one-of-a-kind vintage ashtrays and other items. According to Metz, “YES AND GOODS is my way of embracing my unknown and simply seeking to share the one-of-a-kind eclectic goods that make me smile with others.”
Opened: April 2021
Website: www.yesandgoods.com
Social Media: Instagram Facebook
So, which of these wonderful businesses will you visit first?
Author: Kelsey Wasilewski
Kelsey is an events and marketing professional. In her free time, she loves to go to concerts, explore local restaurants, and ski - in the winter, you'll find her on the mountains almost every weekend. She also loves to travel and is always planning another trip, usually in hunt of her next "best meal ever"!
