If you end up at Ritte’s Nook, the bizarre five-way intersection in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood, take a second and take a look at the storefronts that encompass you.
They promote materials and occasional, classic armchairs and clothes. They’re purveyors of magnificence and wellness, historical past and design.
And they’re predominantly owned by ladies.
Ten feminine enterprise homeowners (quickly to be 11) run 13 companies within the Latonia Enterprise District.
And it’s not a coincidence.
Billie Kegley and Chris Kidwell are the unofficial ringleaders of the group. Kegley owns the Roost Latonia, together with Mona Lisa’s Collections and an incubator, Blondielocks and the Three Chairs. Kidwell opened her boutique, Local Studio 325, a yr and a half in the past.
“It’s the primary setting the place I’ve felt rooted … and supported,” explains Kegley. “In each facet.”
I met with Kegley and Kidwell and the opposite feminine enterprise homeowners to sip tea, take pleasure in full of life dialog, and be taught why this neighborhood of ladies works so effectively collectively.
“It’s very supportive,” Kidwell says. “We coordinate loads of occasions, actions and gross sales store-to-store. It’s us coming collectively past our particular person places. We’re capable of come collectively, model collectively, market collectively. I believe that’s the true distinction.”
Paula Miller is among the homeowners of Ruwe Family Pharmacy, and has labored at Ritte’s Nook for 25 years. Kelly Niceley opened Around the Corner Fabrics simply earlier than Thanksgiving final yr. Each have observed what a supportive group of companies can do for one another – and for the underside line.
“I cherished the texture of Latonia earlier than I even determined to open,” says Niceley. “As a buyer I’d are available and introduce myself. Then once I received concerned with (the opposite feminine enterprise homeowners), not solely are they empowering on the enterprise aspect, they’re empowering on the emotional, lady aspect.”
Miller says the inflow of latest, artistic companies has “undoubtedly introduced individuals down, introduced new individuals trying round. Folks wander in on a Saturday – that by no means used to occur.”
Angie Williams simply celebrated her first anniversary as proprietor of Angie’s Closet, however has referred to as Latonia house for 35 years. “It was a really dominantly male presence down right here,” she explains. “That’s the place the group empowerment comes from. We’re altering issues and involving the neighborhood as effectively.”
Like Ritte’s Nook itself, lots of the companies there have a classic really feel with a mixture of trendy.
“Little by little inside the final couple of years, it’s sort of exploded,” says Heather Buckley Pauly, who has owned Curated Design & Décor for 4 years. “This space is nice for that. We ship everyone to all the opposite retailers to ensure individuals have the complete Ritte’s Nook Latonia expertise.”
Their services are very completely different, however they’ve discovered a typical objective in supporting fellow feminine enterprise homeowners – and of their love for Latonia.
“I believe this place wanted us,” says Aimee Wilson, proprietor of Warrior Spirit Wellness. “I believe the power of the city wanted a elevate and we had been those to do it.”
“It’s actually highly effective,” explains Amy Abafo of Kealoha’s Kitchen. She has lived as far-off as South Korea, however discovered her neighborhood right here.
Why does it work? And why does it work right here? Rachel Thompson of Head 2 Toe Salon, who has spent her entire life in Covington, says it’s “spunk and character. You stroll in and also you’re greeted with love – and a good friend.”
“I believe they see what we’re doing right here, they usually begin on the lookout for a spot in order that they’ll take part,” says Kidwell.
Kegley agrees. “At first it was like ‘lady energy!’ However once I take a look at it at this time, it’s a neighborhood. It’s not simply us. It’s the grants that had been written 10 years in the past, it’s the associations, the organizations, the neighborhood council – these all matter.”
The interview was over, however the fellowship wasn’t. Within the again room on the Roost, subsequent to a cardboard cutout of the Golden Ladies, these enterprise homeowners slipped proper again into laughter and dialog about enterprise and household, transport and procuring. This Girls’s Historical past Month, these ladies are working collectively to create their very own.
