Medina celebrates women business owners

Photo by Scott Robinson: Some of the women who own businesses in Medina met in Rotary Park for a photo on Tuesday, in observance of International Women’s Day on Saturday. Women who own 14 businesses in downtown and the Medina area are affiliated with Creekside Floral, A lily and a sparrow, Bent’s Opera House, Hometown Wellness, Vintage Cigar, English Rose Tea Shoppe, Hans’s Bakery on Main, Ontario Shores Credit Union, Law Office of Katherine Bogan, Premier Cleaning Services, the Willows, RLW Cattle Co., KG Rentals and Author’s Note.

MEDINA – It is ironic the idea to pay tribute to Medina’s female business owners should come from a man.

The idea to observe International Women’s Day came from Scott Robinson, a member of the marketing committee and past president of the Medina Area Partnership.

Information online indicates National Women’s Day was first observed in the United States on Feb. 28, 1909, stating the Socialist Party of America designated the day to honor the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested poor working conditions.

An initial observance occurred in 1975, however, the day wasn’t officially designated until March 8, 1977.

March was declared as Women’s History Month by Barack Obama’s administration in 2011.

One of Medina’s many women business owners is Mary Lewis, who opened her first flower shop on Maple Ridge Road after Muchow’s closed in 2006. A year later she moved her business, Creekside Floral, to 422 Main St., and then in 2018 to her current address at 509 Main St.

“A woman brings everything to a business, especially mothers who are used to multi-tasking,” Lewis said.

Of more than 100 businesses who are members of Medina Area Partnership, more than 40 are owned or co-owned by women.

Some of those business owners came to Rotary Park earlier this week. Those business owners represented Creekside Floral, A lily and a sparrow, Bent’s Opera House, Hometown Wellness, Vintage Cigar, English Rose Tea Shoppe, Hans’s Bakery on Main, Ontario Shores Credit Union, Law Office of Katherine Bogan, Premier Cleaning Services, The Willows, RLW Cattle Co., KG Rentals and Author’s Note.

“I was thrilled with the turnout,” Robinson said. “Mary Lewis did the legwork of getting people there, even minutes before, making sure everyone had an opportunity. It’s a great testament to the business community and many of the powerful women helping it thrive.”