(Chris Harris, via Ritual Coffee)
Under the Radar, Women-Owned Local Businesses That Are Killing It
28 November 2017
From delicious eats reminiscent of revenge pies to 24K-gold body wraps, these lady bosses are slaying with local businesses that are shaking things up.
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Ritual is now a San Francisco mainstay, but when Eileen Hassi opened the first location on Valencia Street in the Mission in 2005, Ritual shook the foundation of what a morning coffee should be. Elevating our expectation of coffee from a mere dose of caffeine to a complex, precisely-crafted beverage with attention paid to every step of the process, Ritual has been committing to sourcing and roasting their own beans for every cup of meticulously prepared coffee. Now, twelve years after Ritual's doors first opened, you can't walk two blocks without bumping into another third wave outpost, largely thanks to Hassi's influence. With five locations in the city and another in Napa's Oxbow Public Market, ordering a macchiato from Ritual is an easy way to support a visionary female entrepreneur. // ritualroasters.com
Revenge Pies
Everybody who knows about Revenge Pies should know how it came to be: A woman, who was stood up for a date, delivered a 'F*ck You' pie to the offending party's doorstep. She started making these pies for other scorned women, which transformed into a very successful and well-loved bakery. Made with natural ingredients like pure butter, vodka crusts and organic seasonal fillings, Revenge Pies come in classic dessert varieties (apple, pumpkin, key lime, etc.), and a few bold savory flavors such as Shepherd's Pie and Portabello Pie. She can even make them vegan or gluten-free per request. Elizabeth Simon now shares a space with local shop San Franpsycho in the Inner Richmond, has about a dozen mostly women staffers, and even offers pie-making classes. // 9am-9pm everyday, 1248 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), revengepies.com
El Huarache Loco
Mexico City is the south-of-the-border destination these days, and with Veronica Salazar's dishes at El Huarache Loco you can experience the city's best street food without a plane ticket. El Huarache Loco is the story of a passionate woman learning how to create a living doing what she loves most–– sharing the rich flavors and typical dishes of Mexico City–– and the rest of us get to reap the benefits every time we bite into one of her huaraches (corn masa cakes filled with beans, cooked on a griddle, and topped with just about anything from meats to moles for a crunchy and versatile snack that exists somewhere between a taco and tostada). In addition to huaraches, she serves countless other Mexico City staples such as sopes (thick 'pinched' tortillas topped with beans, cheese, meat and vegetables) and pozole (a classic pork stew, served only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). // The main restaurant is in Larkspur at the Marin County Market (1703 Larkspur Landing Circle) but you can also catch her in SF at the Alemany Flea Market (100 Alemany Blvd.) from 8am-2pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pearl Spa
This Korean-style women's spa needs to be the next stop on a "treat yo-self" day. The closest thing we know of to the fountain of youth, the Korean spa is legendary for its aggressive skin-sloughing treatments that leave skin unbelievably soft, rejuvenated, appearing more toned, and the body detoxified from the inside out. Pearl offers a variety of beauty treatments such as massages, milk and honey soaks, 24K-gold body wraps, and salt scrubs, all of which you can easily justify as an investment in your health (though the pampering aspect isn't bad either). Or, you can simply pay $35 admission to use the sauna, steam room, hot tub, cold tub, and relaxation areas. It's a women-only, bathing suit-free facility, making it a safe space for your most relaxing spa day yet. You won't even be able to tell the space used to be a grocery store before owners Tracy Lee and husband Ray Giron transformed it into the oasis it is now. // 8am-9:30pm, 1654 Post St. (Japantown), pearlspasf.com
Legion SF
Founded by Sydney Pfaff (who just so happens to be a former 7x7 fashion assistant of the print mag), this Chinatown shop and gallery curates some of the best clothing and home goods from independent brandsyou can't find just anywhere else (such as Kaarem, Parisa Wang, Helen Levi, and Xodo Botanicals to name a few), while also hosting thematic exhibitions from local artists. Legion is one of those shops you can't walk past without peeking in. // 11am-6pm Tues-Sat, 678 Commercial St. (FiDi), legionsf.com
17th St. Athletic Club
Right in the heart of the mission, 17th St. Athletic Club is a cycling studio from Shannon Boughn and Marissa Axwell known for workouts that will unapologetically kick your ass. The focus isn't on the music or lights at this spin studio (even though they keep both on par with your other favorite spin classes), but in helping women built strength and endurance through cycling. Whether you're looking for a Sunday post-work spin sesh with your BFF or training for a triathlon, this spot will work you out like no other with positive vibes all around. Come for the workout, stay for the community of inspiring women. // 6am-1pm Mon-Fri, 8-11am Sat, 8am-12pm Sun, 3265 17th St. #104, (Mission), 17thstreetathleticlcub.com