March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women who have shaped culture, history, and the entrepreneurial landscape. This year, local businesses are hosting a variety of events and initiatives in support of women-led enterprises, including offerings at Liberté Lounge, Red Owl Tavern, and Stratus Rooftop Lounge, as well as opportunities to support women-owned businesses throughout the city and surrounding region such as Cake Life Bake Shop,DreamWorld Bakes, Fond, Poi Dog Sauces, and Townsend Wentz Restaurant Group!
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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS + CHARITABLE PROMOTIONS
Liberté Lounge, the contemporary French-inspired restaurant and lounge within Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square,is thrilled to honor Women’s History Month with a charitable initiative. Throughout the month, $1 from every Liberté cocktail sold will benefit Women Against Abuse, an organization providing critical support and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in Philadelphia. In addition, Liberté Lounge will also feature craft cocktails made with Uncle Nearest Whiskey, the award-winning brand founded by Fawn Weaver, a trailblazing female entrepreneur. $1 from every Unlce Nearest Whiskey cocktail sold will also be donated to Women Against Abuse. The Liberté ($17) features Pear Infused Vodka, St. Germain, Lemon, and Sparkling Wine, offering a refreshing way to support this vital cause.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday, 12pm – 11pm and Friday & Saturday 12pm – 12am.
20 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 | 215.569.8300 | Website | Instagram
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, is commemorating Women’s History Month with a charitable Women in Wine menu, available throughout March. Featuring select wines from women-owned, operated, and supported wineries, this special menu highlights the talent and leadership of women in the wine industry. For every glass sold, $1 will be donated toWOMEN’S WAY,the Greater Philadelphia region’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women, girls, and gender equality.
Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30 – 10:45am, Saturday and Sunday 8 – 10am (breakfast); Monday through Friday 11:30am – 4:30pm (lunch); Monday through Friday 4:30 – 10pm, Saturday 5 – 10pm (dinner); and Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm (brunch).
433 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.923.2267 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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For the third consecutive year, Stratus Rooftop Lounge is thrilled to partner with Sisterly Love Collective to present Women’s Way Wednesdays — a weekly pop-up celebrating women-owned and operated culinary and beverage purveyors from the Philadelphia region and beyond. The month-long celebration kicks off on Wednesday, March 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Stratus Rooftop Lounge in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. Chef Karla Torres of La Ingrata will showcase a thoughtful fusion of flavor and technique through a selection of hors d’oeuvres. In addition to the curated bites, guests can enjoy music from notable female DJs and pay-as-you-go craft cocktails, local beer, and wine.
Profits from Women’s Way Wednesdays will benefit both Women’s Way, Philadelphia’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women, girls, and gender and racial equity, as well as Sisterly Love Collective, analliance of women across the Philadelphia region banding together to empower and advance women in the food and hospitality space through mentorship, networking, and communal support.
Tickets for each weekly event are required and can be purchased by clicking HERE, and those interested in attending all four Women’s Way Wednesdays can purchase one all-encompassing ticket for $145 per person.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5pm – 12pm, Friday 5pm – 2am, Saturday 5pm – 2am
433 Chestnut St. (11th floor of Kimpton Hotel Monaco) | 215.925.2889 | http://www.stratuslounge.com
WOMEN-OWNED + CO-WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT
Co-founder of Cake Life Bake Shop, Lily Fischer, describes the woman-, trans-, and immigrant-owned award-winning small-batch artisanal bakery as a labor of love — a love for feeding people, blowing their minds, celebrating good times together, and Beyoncé… whose birthday cake she has baked TWICE! Lily has taken home gold on three baking competition shows – Cupcake Wars, Winner Cake All, and Cookie, Cupcake, Cake.
In addition to baking decadent confections, Cake Life is committed to inclusivity, hosting body- and sex-positive events, such as a BDSM body-shaped cookie decorating social, and most recently, a conversation heart cookie collaboration with adult entertainer, Asa Akira. Some of Cake Life’s beloved baked goods include:
- Baklava Sticky Bun – Soft and sweet roll with an orange-cardamom sugar schmear, topped with a sticky pistachio-walnut caramel sauce
- Dulce de Leche Cheesecake – Classic New York cheesecake topped with decadent chocolate ganache and dulce de leche drizzle
- Alfajores – A take on the iconic Argentinian cookie! Housemade de Leche Sandwiched between two buttery vanilla shortbread cookies and rolled in coconut flakes!
- Petal Pistachio Cookies – Crisp, buttery honey shortbread, iced and decorated with dried flower petals, crushed pistachios, freeze-dried raspberry dust, and rose sugar
Dessert lovers can try these treats and more in-person at the Fishtown bakery, or pre-order online for local delivery via Uber Eats or pick-up. Select treats are available online for shipping nationwide.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Thursday 8am – 9pm, Friday through Saturday 8am – 10pm, Sunday 8am – 7pm
1306 Frankford Ave | www.cakelifebakeshop.com | Instagram @cakelifebakeshop
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DreamWorld Bakes, the East Kensington Black- and woman-owned bakery that specializes in dreamy custom cakes and boasts a community café concept, was founded by Ashley Huston – a self-taught baker, community champion, and the creative genius behind Patti LaBelle’s showstopping 80th birthday cake. What started as a side hustle in Huston’s home kitchen during the pandemic has blossomed into one of Philadelphia’s most buzzed-about bakeries.
Huston’s confections — often iced with pastels and dusted with glitter — draw heavily from a wide range of cultures and culinary traditions. Due to her voracious desire to seek out new flavors and her love of international travel (she has experience volunteering with the Peace Corps in rural Tanzania), DreamWorld Bakes offers treats as whimsical in flavor as they are in presentation, with signature cake flavors including:
- Adulting – Malt milk funfetti cake, toasted milk custard, funfetti crumbles & vanilla
- Baby Spice – Cardamom cake base layered with passionfruit curd, mango chai mousse, and tonka bean Italian meringue buttercream
- Cherry Cherry – Brown butter cake with black cherry/sour cherry pie filling, dark chocolate sea salt mousse, and American sour cream chocolate frosting
An active participant in her community, Huston has also been involved in a bevy of philanthropic efforts; including work with West Philadelphia Bunny Hop, Manna, the Sisterly Love Collective, and more. Her whimsical, colorful style has also led to partnerships with Nuuly and Apartment Therapy.
Philadelphians can stop by the bakery and cafe to enjoy treats in-store (2400 Coral St), or place a custom order online.
Hours of operation: Thursday and Friday 8am – 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 4 pm
2400 Coral St, Philadelphia PA | www.dreamworldbakes.com | Instagram
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Chef Jessie Prawlucki-Styer, co-owner and pastry chef of Fond, is the force behind the refined and contemporary French BYOB alongside her husband, Chef Lee Styer. She has played a pivotal role in the restaurant’s evolution from a celebrated East Passyunk institution to an intimate 40-seat destination in Wallingford. With a focus on seasonality and farm-driven ingredients sourced from the couple’s farm in Media, Chef Jessie’s expertise in both savory and pastry cuisine continues to elevate the dining experience at Fond. This Women’s History Month, Fond stands among the many women-owned and co-owned businesses driving innovation and excellence in the hospitality industry.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 10am – 9pm.
21 N Providence Rd in Wallingford, PA | 484.445.2108 | Website | Instagram
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After the 2020 closing of her Philadelphia-based restaurant, Poi Dog, revered for bringing the flavoris of Hawai’i to the Eastern corridor, Chef Kiki Aranita breathed life back into her brand with Poi Dog Sauces, a line of highly versatile, nostalgic sauces representing the multicultural flavors of her childhood spent in Hawai’i and Hong Kong with flavors incluing Chili Peppah Water, Huli Sauce, and Guava Katsu Sauce.
Aranita has always been an advocate for sustainability as a chef and promotes low-waste cooking. Through this work, Aranita and chef-husband Ari Miller are proud promonents of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international non-profit on a mission to end overfishing and ensure seafood is fished sustainably, and have partnered with organizations like Progressive Hedonist, venture headed by former Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine, Dana Cowin, that explores the power of food to fight climate change. In addition to her interested in the environment, Aranita also hosts cooking classes and other demonstrations at her alma mater, Bryn Mawr College, and University of Pennsylvania.
Aranita continues to be involved in Philadelphia’s food scene where she participates in frequent culinary collaborations and pop-ups with purveyors across the Greater Philadelphia region, including Art in the Age, Di Bruno Bros., G’Day Gourmet, Chopt, Fette Sau, Kismet Bagels, and more.
Poi Dog Sauces are available in 50+ regional Whole Foods Markets, specialty grovery stores across Philadelphia including Riverwards Produce, Herman’s coffee, and more, and via Poi Dog’s website and Amazon.
www.poidogsauces.com | Instagram
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Gordana Kostovski, Co-Owner and General Manager of Townsend Wentz Restaurant Group, which includes A Mano, Caribou Cafe, Oltremare, Oloroso, The Hayes, and Townsend, is a key figure in Philadelphia’s vibrant culinary landscape. As a leader in the industry, Gordana has dedicated herself to creating exceptional dining experiences across her group of restaurants. In addition to her leadership role, she also serves as the in-house sommelier, curating sophisticated wine programs that elevate each venue’s offerings. Gordana’s passion for hospitality and wine pairing, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, makes her a standout figure in Philadelphia’s women-led restaurant scene during Women’s History Month and beyond.
A Mano | Caribou Cafe | Oloroso | Oltremare | The Hayes | Townsend