How Women-Owned Small Businesses are Redefining Havre de Grace

The City of Havre de Grace was founded in 1782, a time when the phrase “all men created equal” was interpreted quite literally. Fast forward 244 years, and the landscape of this historic Maryland port has been fundamentally transformed. Today, the Main Street District is a powerhouse of female entrepreneurship, home to almost 40 women-owned small businesses that prove tenacity and collaboration are the city’s modern-day bedrock.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with the visionaries behind the storefronts to discuss the freedom, challenges, and the “magical” camaraderie of doing business in Havre de Grace.

Turning Personal Trials into Community Triumphs

For many local owners, their business is a testament to personal resilience and the ability to pivot through life’s hardest chapters. Kim Trzepkowski, owner of The Unique Boutique, opened her shop after leaving a career with Harford County schools to care for her ailing mother. During that time, Kim fac     ed her own battle with stage 3 cancer. Following her mother’s passing, she decided to turn her side-crafting hobby into a full-time venture. Today, her shop is a sanctuary for local makers, with 27 of her 28 vendors being women. “Everything came into place,” Kim shares, noting that the property felt like it was “meant to be.”

Similarly, Patrice Burchett, owner of Kameron Michael Baby Couture, found her “strength and tenacity” through her shop. A widow and

former paramedic of 20 years, Patrice views her business as her freedom. “I get to make my own hours; I can still be a mom,” she says, having started the business out of a love for buying baby clothes for her grandchildren. She chose Havre de Grace specifically for its family-oriented atmosphere and the way “all the women have been very helpful.”

 

The Unstoppable Culture of Collaboration

 

In Havre de Grace, the competitive edge is softened by a genuine culture of support. Mary Anne Medeiros White, who opened Salon Marielle by the Bay in 2007, calls the town her “saving grace.” After experiencing two devastating floods at her Ellicott City location, she found peace sitting in a Havre de Grace coffee shop and knew this was home. “If anyone needs something, someone has your back in Havre de Grace,” she explains. “Even if you don’t associate as friends, that’s what this town is made of.”

 

 

This sentiment is echoed by Jaime Sheehan, owner of Jaime Bakes, who believes the city’s business scene is more creative and fun because of its female leadership. While she admits the road hasn’t always been easy, her dedication to her craft and her community remains unshakable:

“I love it, I wouldn’t change it for anything, it’s a lot of work and long hours but it’s worth it, especially in Havre de Grace.”

Reclaiming Autonomy and Financial Freedom

For Linnea Tober, owner of HAVEN, the surge in women-owned businesses in Havre de Grace is a historical victory. She points out that it wasn’t until 1974—within her own lifetime—that women could even hold their own credit card. HAVEN serves as a safe space for “divine feminine power,” hosting monthly sister circles that draw women from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

“My goal was to build community,” Linnea says, celebrating 2025 as her best year yet. She is passionate about uplifting those without brick-and-mortar locations, frequently partnering with other female-led ventures like Havre de Haunts. She emphasizes that while her shop is spiritual, everyone is welcome: “I don’t expect them to be a practicing witch… I want people to feel welcome and open-minded.”

As Laura Ames of Laura Ames Photography looks through her lens, she sees a bright future for the district. Having opened a professional photography studio just four years ago, she admits, “It’s hard, it’s definitely hard,” but the ability to turn a passion into a

business is a right she doesn’t take for granted. “It shows how far women have come over the years.”

Honoring the Past, Building the Future

As we reflect on Women’s History Month, it is clear that the story of Havre de Grace is a living, breathing narrative written daily by the women in the Main Street District. From the creative resilience of Jaime Bakes to the community-centric sanctuary of HAVEN, these entrepreneurs have turned a historic town into a modern blueprint for female-led economic power.

By transforming personal hardships into professional triumphs and replacing cutthroat competition with a “sister circle” of support, they are doing more than just running shops—they are honoring the suffragists of the past by securing the financial and creative independence of the future. In Havre de Grace, every storefront is a testament to the fact that when women are given the space to lead, the entire community thrives. To support these entrepreneurs and see the full impact of their work, you can visit explorehavredegrace.com/shopping/ to explore and visit the many other women-owned businesses in Havre de Grace.

FAQ: Women’s Rights & Local Business Facts

How many women-owned businesses are in Havre de Grace?

There are nearly 40 women-owned small businesses within the Havre de Grace Main Street District. This mirrors a national trend where women founders now account for 49% of all new businesses started in the U.S. as of 2026.

Does Havre de Grace have a specific history with the Women’s Suffrage movement?

Yes! In 1915, Havre de Grace was a key stop for the “Prairie Schooner” campaign, where suffragist Elizabeth Forbes organized a rally for the right to vote. A historical marker honoring Forbes and the Maryland suffragists was recently dedicated in Tydings Park.

When were women in Maryland legally allowed to own property and credit cards?

• Property: Maryland was one of the first states to pass a version of the Married Women’s Property Act in 1840, allowing women to own (but not initially control) property.
• Credit: It wasn’t until the Maryland Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1975 that women in the state were legally protected from credit discrimination based on gender or marital status.

What is the economic impact of women-owned businesses in Maryland?

As of 2025, women own approximately 46.1% of all businesses in Maryland. Nationally, women-owned firms contribute over $3 trillion to the annual economy, providing a vital stabilizing force for local historic districts like Havre de Grace.