Women-Owned Businesses in Long Beach’s East Village
The East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach has fostered a tight-knit community of women-owned businesses. These independent shops and eateries contribute to the neighborhood’s authentically creative vibe as owners network with each other to create events and help build a community of women entrepreneurs.
ANNEISE
Anneise (440 E 1st St) is a boutique offering all the essentials for a capsule wardrobe, including knit and denim basics, utilitarian-yet-chic vegan leather bags, and a wide variety of sunglasses, earrings and delicate necklaces that go with everything. Owner Kimberly Latham founded the business in 2012 and shares her space with artisanal soap company Saffria Sage Soap.
BURKE MERCANTILE
Maggie Stoll founded her shop Burke Mercantile (435 E 1st St) in 2017. Selling clothing, accessories, housewares, and beauty items, Stoll uses her store to uplift independent brands and emerging designers, with a focus on sustainability and contemporary design. Through her residency program, Stoll provides a spotlight for designers and sells a selection of items from their collection in a dedicated space for a three-month period. Burke Mercantile is recognized as a certified Green Business by the California Green Business Network.
DISTRICT WINE
District Wine (144 Linden Ave) is a cozy wine bar and lounge in the East Village’s historic Lafayette Building. Angela Mesna opened the business in 2010 after studying hospitality in college in Santa Barbara, where she also encountered the world of California wines. Mesna completed much of the design and construction work herself with the help of family members. In the shop’s interior, a mix of tables, booths, and upholstered leather armchairs makes for an intimate space where people can enjoy boutique wines, tapas, and live music.
EAST VILLAGE CAFE
East Village Cafe (443 E 1st St) is the oldest coffee shop in the district. Under new ownership since 2020, the shop is now fully women-owned and operated. Head cook and operations lead Jennapheaur Martine has developed a menu of specialty bagel dishes, and the cafe is testing late night hours to provide the East Village with coffee, food, and events after dark. The shop also hosts monthly art exhibits featuring emerging women artists from Long Beach.
MAKE COLLECTIVES
Kat Engel started MAKE Collectives (430 E 1st St) with her husband Matt after they bought a home in Long Beach and their interest in decorating led to restoring vintage furniture. As they collected treasures, they joined forces with Kat’s sister Desiree to open a store that would house the business as well as Kat and Desiree’s vintage womenswear venture, La Femme Vintage. The joint lifestyle shop offers clothing, housewares, vintage vinyl, jewelry, plants, and other delightful goods.
RECIRCLE HOME
Known for their eye-catching window display of Himalayan salt lamps lined up on custom triangular wooden shelving, ReCircle Home (501 E Broadway) is an independent shop selling crystals, home decor, and magical goods. Christine Parsley owns ReCircle Home with her partner Darian, who constructs the shelving units and other products available at ReCircle in their home workshop. They regularly host night markets and workshops for making wreaths and flower crowns.
144 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, California 90802
(562) 612-0411
Website
DISTRICT WINE144 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, California 90802
