Women-Owned Businesses in Downtown Oshkosh
2 Blondes – 461 N Main St (Tamara Russell & Deanna Qualley)
2 Blondes is owned by two sisters who had a mural painting business for 17 years who decided to put their creative energy into apparel. They opened their brick and mortar store in 2013 and have continued to grow and add equipment—which even includes a rhinestone machine. They make most designs in house and have the capacity to do large group orders or just one piece. Choose glitter, foil, matte or even rhinestone designs to make your statement speak loud and clear! We love to put our creative minds to use so if you do not see something you would like, please contact 2 Blondes and let them know what you are looking for!
Tara Rudy Photography – 558 N Main St (Tara Rudy)
Tara is super outgoing, caring, bubbly, and a hugger! Within her portrait experience, she leads with her heart. Tara began her photography journey in 2002. In 2010 she had a huge career change, she gave up her police badge completely for a camera and hasn’t looked back since. She now puts her heart and soul into every client that walks through the door and everyone leaves feeling like a part of the family.
Tara’s favorite genres to photograph are high school seniors, tweens, families, weddings, beauty and fashion as well as working with adorable fun kiddos of all ages. She loves to shoot natural light work, then gets down and dirty with edgier lit work in the studio and outside.
Tara is currently working towards her Masters in Photography, as well as being involved in the Professional Portrait Association and the Wisconsin Professional Portrait Association. She has been awarded in State and International print competitions. Tara has been named Best of Winnebago 2018-2022, and named Top 100 Senior Portrait Photographers in the United States a few years in a row. In 2020, she started her speaking journey, teaching other photographers her secrets!
American Black Belt Academy – 208 State St (Sandra Swartwood)
Sandra Swartwood has trained in several different martial art disciplines since the age of 7, including karate, judo, tai chi, Kung Fu and escrima but found her love of the Korean martial arts with Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. Sandra currently holds a 3rd degree in Hapkido and 6th degree in Tae Kwon Do and has been with American Black Belt Academy for over 35 years. Her daughter holds a 4th degree and her granddaughter recently earned her 1st degree, while her husband, Thomas Swartwood is an 8th degree in Hapkido and teaches the Hapkido program at ABBA.
American Black Belt Academy is a not-for-profit martial arts training center. American Black Belt Academy is committed to providing quality martial arts training to anyone, four years of age or older, who has the desire to learn and to live the martial arts as exemplified by Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. American Black Belt Academy teaches students to respect others as well as themselves, self-defense, and the importance of discipline in all areas of life while providing an alternative form of exercise. As a member of the Oshkosh area community we donate our time to bring our FOCUS training to the Oshkosh after school programs and support Oshkosh events.
AtomicKatz – 17 Waugoo Ave (Sandy Prunty & Deb Toman)
Owned by Sandy Prunty and Deb Toman, AtomicKatz is that great vintage store that has something for everyone. AtomicKatz believes that each item is a piece of history and prides itself on the wide selection of vintage clothes, jewelry and accessories for women and men. Our fashions for women and men range from the 1920’s through the 1980’s and each piece has been handpicked for its design and/or representation to that era.
Vintage fashions have the ability to be YOUR total look OR be that great accent piece that finishes your retro wardrobe. AtomicKatz vintage clothes offer you designer, fun & funky and FABULOUS fashions.
AtomicKatztoo offers mid-century modern furniture and accessories for YOUR home. Your home just like your wardrobe should reflect your style. You can design a room, your home or just add that punch of WOW with a piece of mid-century modern furniture.
Artful Gift – 9 Waugoo Ave (Lauri & Rachel Wagner)
The Artful Gift was established in 2020 by Lauri Wagner. Lauri is a co-owner of Reimer Jewelers as well and has several years of experience in managing inventory, working with customers, and running the accounting department. Lauri transferred those skills and more when she opened The Artful Gift. Lauri’s goal at The Artful Gift is to provide functional art pieces and to support and grow our local artists, and women led businesses. At The Artful Gift we not only look for good quality products we also evaluate the source, and the process of how the goods are made. We have several women led businesses and feature several local women artists.
Before being a store owner, Lauri graduated from culinary school and worked as a chef, she also worked in the medical field as a medical technician. Besides running both stores, she is active in the gardening community and holds a Master Gardener title. Lauri has been married to Paul for 40 years, is the mother of three girls, and a grandmother.
Elsewhere Market – 531 N Main St (Kristen Hoopman)
Elsewhere Market is owned by Kristen Hoopman. She based Elsewhere Market and Coffee House’s design off of the luxury vacation rentals she designs for The Elsewhere Collection—a business owned by her and her husband Eric.
Elsewhere Market is stocked with thoughtfully selected housewares, gifts & florals from makers near & far. Elsewhere Market proudly supplies sustainable household brands such as Public Goods, Zefiro, pantry & Benjamin Soap Co. When thinking about the jewelry, paper goods, and apothecary section—each linen, lotion & coffee table book is inspired by an Elsewhere Collection property. When you step into Elsewhere Market, you’re transported to our manor in historic Savannah, GA, our lakefront retreat in Waupaca, WI or our oceanside escape in Tybee Island, GA.
Paired with Elsewhere Market is Elsewhere Coffee House. Grab a coffee and sip and shop through Elsewhere Market!
Brinkley’s Boutique – 419 N Main St (Barb Nelson)
Brinkley is the granddaughter of owner’s, Mike & Barb. She is the namesake of our stores. Brinkley is such an amazing gift to our family and has shown us what being truly kind is all about! The world says she has a disability, but we feel she has an amazing ABILITY! Brinkley was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome (WS) at the age of 11 months. A portion of your purchase is donated to Williams Syndrome Association. So, when you shop with Brinkley’s Boutique, you are shopping for a cause.
At Brinkley’s Boutique, our mission is to bring a little more kindness into the world. Our diverse selection of trendy boutique styles are personally chosen based on what our customers love. We have fashionable styles for women of all ages. We strive to offer an incredible selection of handpicked women’s apparel and accessories at an affordable price while providing each visitor to our store with the best possible shopping experience.
Embody Yoga – 579 N Main St (Lea Ann Konitzer-Schneider)
Embody Yoga & Pilates is a wellness studio, providing Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy, heated vinyasa yoga classes, restorative yoga classes and pilates classes to the Oshkosh community. Embody strives to create a healing sanctuary, using far infrared radiant heat for its’ yoga classes to provide a safe space in which all can unite to practice a natural healthy lifestyle. Embody offers 25 group classes per week and offers PEMF by appointment.
Lea Ann Konitzer-Schneider, E-RTY-200, owner of Embody Yoga & Pilates, LLC has been teaching yoga & pilates for almost 20 years. She is a UW-Oshkosh alum and after 15 years of using her bachelors degree in graphic design, decided to become a registered & certified yoga & pilates teacher. She is also a level 3 certified PEMF practitioner. She is passionate about assisting students on their wellness journey whether it be through yoga or PEMF or both!
Wagner Market – 502 N Main St (Sarrah Larson)
Sarrah Larson is the Owner/Co-Owner of Wagner Market Est. 2014 and Beckets Restaurant Est. 2008.
Sarrah has worked in the grocery and food service industry for over 25 years..across the country in a few different states. Sarrah returned to Oshkosh, her hometown, in 2008. It’s awesome to go out in the world and learn something…then return home and add to the vibrancy of your community.
Eat Local. Eat Downtown.
Pampurr’d Pet – 528 N Main St (Kristi Meredith)
Welcome to The Pampurr’d Pet! Locally owned Pet Store located in Downtown Oshkosh, we have a variety of high quality food, toys, supplements, and other supplies for your dog or cat! We offer full service grooming for all dogs. Our love for our pets has transformed our pet store into the spot to find all the best nutrition and supplies needed to keep your dog or cat happy!
Is there something specific you’re looking for but we don’t carry it? Just ask us about it and we’d be happy to order it if we can!
Lisa Wiker Photography – 11 Merritt Ave (Lisa Acuña)
Like most photographers, Lisa Acuña started with a love of art and a camera. With years of blood, sweat, and tears (and hours upon hours of education and YouTube videos) Lisa Wiker Photography was born.
Lisa quickly realized weddings were where her heart pulled her. The mix of documentary and posed photography, detail shots and storytelling, there’s a lot to love about photographing a wedding. The thing she loves most, though, is getting to share the most exciting moments of a person’s life with the best people, and documenting them for the next generations to see.
Lisa wants you to show your images to your children someday, and to your grandchildren, to your nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Your images will be timeless, filled with the warm memories of the best day for you to relish for decades to come.
Market Boutique – 224 N Main St (Connie Day)
Owned by Connie Day, who is a lifelong resident of Oshkosh.Market Boutique On Main opened in 2010. After 13 years, a second store is opening in Nekoosa, WI—Market Boutique In Rome.
My husband & I have a shop in a historic building in Downtown Oshkosh, WI filled with handmade goodies and unique items. We bought our building in 2011 & my husband, Mike renovated it from the floor to the ceiling. It is beautiful. He is amazing and helps me tremendously. I make most of the handmade items myself & love that I am able to do so many things I enjoy. Some of my favorite projects are painted wood signs, glassware, lighted bottles and making jewelry. I also make candles, melts and body products which include shea butter soaps.
To keep the shop full, I also carry unique items and clothing pieces that I love. Scarves, hats, purses, totes, wallets, pillows & crocheted blankets fill the shelves. I carry goodies from Soup and Dipity and salsa, pickles & jams from Hippie Waynes. You can also find many Wisconsin & Oshkosh themed items.
Richard’s – 219 State St (Tricia Bayer)
Richard’s School of the Dance is celebrating 74 Years of Dance Excellence, where they offer Dance, Aerial, Acro, and Dance Fitness programs for ALL ages and abilities.
Richard Verhoeven Founded the Studio in 1949 and ran the studio until his retirement, when his daughter Patricia Verhoeven-Provost took over and ran the studio.
Tricia Bayer became Owner/Director of Richard’s School of the Dance in 2009. In 2010 she founded Richard’s School of the Dance – Kohler (Kohler, WI) and in 2014 founded Richard’s Performance Company, a non-profit youth organization who’s main purpose is giving back to the community through performance and the art of dance.
Urban Esque – 460 N Main St (Autumn Urban)
With over 60 years of experience, Urban Esque Salon has always provided exceptional beauty services in Oshkosh. Discover a beautiful, new you with the exceptional hair care services from Urban Esque Salon. You can count on our talented hairstylists to provide superb haircutting and coloring services for men, women and children.
Not only are our hair stylists up-to-date on the newest trends, but they’re also continuously trained to give you a stylish look with a fresh edge.
You can count on our locally owned business to deliver fabulous hair styling and have you feeling beautiful
Get a FREE consultation from us today!
Turquoise Door – 457 N Main St (Melissa & Sonia Ochowicz)
The Turquoise Door is a fashion forward boutique style consignment store featuring an eclectic selection of women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and jewelry. We also feature Unique Furnishings, Local Hand Made items, and lots of plants! The Turquoise Door is locally owned by mother daughter duo Melissa and Sonia Ochowicz.
920 Wellness Studio – 501 N Main St (Mikhaila Riska)
920 Wellness Studio was created in August 2018. I was a single mom of my first daughter Lucy and needed the flexibility to support ourselves both financially and determine my own schedule with a newborn. I opened 920 when she was 4 months old. I had $300 to my name and handed over the security deposit to my landlord. I was very scared, nervous, yet hopeful for our future. I had a dream to not only run a family friendly chiropractic practice but also support other like minded wellness professionals.
Fast forward to 2023- we now have 23 providers at our Appleton location and we are now opening this location, which would be our second space. Our mission remains the same- to promote, refer, and support like minded entrepreneurs under one roof. We are all independent business owners that offer wellness modalities to similar demographics and clients. We are very excited to join the downtown community of Oshkosh.
-Dr. Mikhaila Riska
Fire Escape – 423 N Main St (Jessica & Rebecca Graf)
Fire Escape Art Studio is locally owned by mother daughter duo Jessica and Rebecca Graf.
NAMI – 525 N Main St (Harriet Shelter & Beverly Young)
NAMI was founded in 1977 in Madison, Wisconsin by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young. NAMI Oshkosh is a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We have been actively serving the Oshkosh community since 1979.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Oshkosh is an accredited non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, advocacy, and support to those affected by mental illness. NAMI Oshkosh partners with local crisis, law enforcement, social services agencies, and a variety of community groups.
920 Tattoo – 576 N Main St (Carrie Olson)
Carrie Olson, born on September 19, 1981, is a tattoo artist and co-owner of the 920 Tattoo Company LLC, located in downtown Oshkosh, WI. She opened her business with her business partner and husband Steve in 2012, after completing her tattoo apprenticeship at one of Wisconsin’s oldest tattoo studios, Steve’s Tattoo Madison in 2010. Her studio is private, and she tattoos her own customized artwork by appointment. The mission of her business is to provide high-quality art and body jewelry in a safe, private, and sterile environment.
With a lifelong love of art, Carrie has been creating for as long as she can remember, and has enjoyed working in a variety of mediums throughout her career as a professional artist. During her time living and working in downtown Oshkosh, Carrie volunteered on several city boards and committees with the goal of making her neighborhood and community more inclusive and beautiful. Her business has sponsored many downtown events over the years, with the focus being community art.
In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks with her 2 dogs Amos and Cash, painting, and reading science fiction novels.
Blonde Russian – 315 Market St (Brandi Whitney)
Women’s & Men’s Fashion Boutique in Downtown Oshkosh locally owned by Brandi Whitney.
Caramel Crisp – 200 City Center Suite D (Chanda Anderson)
Caramel Crisp Corner is the home to the best homemade cookies, pies, baked goods, gourmet popcorn, and other sweet treats in Oshkosh!
Over the past 85 years, we have expanded from a tiny popcorn shop on Main Street into so much more – including a cafe with delicious breakfast food, deli-style salads and sandwiches, hot sandwiches, coffee drinks and smoothies.
We have also expanded to open a candy & toy store, book store, ice cream shop, and gift shop.
Divine Beauty – 513 N Main St (Lauren Wilson)
Lauren Wilson first started working at Divine Beauty LLC in September of 2021 doing eyelash extensions. Lauren was working at a factory job and realized she wasn’t meant for it and wanted something better. After getting comfortable doing lashes, Lauren got certified in sunless spray tanning and started offering it as a service in March of 2022. Shortly after in June of 2022, Lauren became the Manager of Divine Beauty LLC. Her job was to post on social media and answer emails/messages from clients. September 6th, 2022, Lauren became the new owner of Divine Beauty LLC.
Divine Beauty was founded in 2019 . We started with eyelash extensions and since then we’ve added facials, waxes, nails, lash lift & tint, brow tinting, brow threading, brow lamination, and sunless spray tanning! The vision for Divine Beauty goes further than aesthetics. We strive to help others with self acceptance and confidence! We would love to be a part of your journey!
Bartlet Holistic Health – 110 Algoma Blvd (Megan Bartelt)
Megan Bartelt, L.Ac. Dipl. Ac.
Megan Bartelt is the proud owner of Bartelt Holistic Health, a center for healing + wellness established in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Megan’s mission is to provide a space for restoration. The process starts with listening carefully and communicating clearly. Megan strives to serve the highest quality of care gently, in a safe, comfortable environment.
This is a space for healing and education. From acupuncture to wellness classes, cupping to infrared sauna therapy, and even an organic juice bar, we have your wellness needs met at Bartelt Holistic Health in Downtown Oshkosh, WI.
Escape Oshkosh – 146 Algoma Suite C (Britney Racine)
Welcome to Escape Oshkosh! My name is Britney Racine, and I am the proud owner of this adventure game company. At Escape Oshkosh, we specialize in creating unforgettable experiences for teams of friends, family, and colleagues. Our games are designed to challenge your mind and test your problem-solving skills as you work together to find clues and solve puzzles to escape.
What sets us apart from other escape rooms is that our games are unique to our location. Our team of designers creates our own one-of-a-kind games. We take pride in offering an exclusive experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Our mission at Escape Oshkosh is to provide a fun and unique adventure for everyone who visits. We believe that our games are a great way to build teamwork, boost creativity, and create lasting memories. So whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or a team-building activity for your company, Escape Oshkosh has something for everyone.
Salon La Rousse – 317 Market St (Tamara Ybarra)
For over 10 years and with a sophisticated and stylish atmosphere, Tamara Ybarra’s Salon la Rousse has warmly welcomed you to experience masterful hair cutting, coloring, and styling.
Tamara believes in the transformative power of a great haircut and its ability to make people feel more confident and happy. She uses her 20 years of experience and innate artistry to give that to every guest at Salon la Rousse.
Satori Imports – 411 N Main St (Kay Bahr and Eric Pyfer Mulloy)
Satori Imports opened in Downtown Oshkosh in 1969 and has been perpetuating the 60s vibe of peace, love, harmony, and inclusion ever since. Mother/daughter duo Kay Bahr and Erica Pyfer Mulloy have cultivated longstanding relationships with other business owners, global travelers and local artists alike to provide unique, affordable gifts with a focus on locally grown and ethically sourced goods.
From tapestries and posters, to clothing and jewelry, to dragons and crystals and buddhas and tarot decks, to a full line of Wisconsin hemp products and smoking accessories, Satori is now catering to 3rd generation shoppers, as the Original Counterculture Lifestyle Supply Shop.
When not hard at work, Kay and Erica both enjoy travel, books, wine, art museums, and a good murder mystery.
& more…
Adventure Games & The Frosted Bee – 408, 424 N Main St (Charlene Alecos)
Frugal Fashion – 420 N Main St
Zavari Skin Studio – 507 N Main St (Alyssa Korinek)
No Crutches LLC – 302 A State St (Andrea Canfield)
Gibson Social Club – 531 N Main St (Kristen Hoopman)
Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing (Kris Wilz)
Mara’s Brazilian Cuisine – 200 City Center (Mara Rintamaki)
Can Can – 584 N Main St (Kate Voss)
Yetti Yums – 110 Algoma Blvd (Anna Moon)
PIP Collective – 110 Algoma Blvd (Chelsea Belville)
Harmony Wellness – 456 N Main St (Amanda Wilcenski)
RevIVe Wellness – 428 N Main St (Loren Schlicting)
What women-owned businesses located in the Downtown BID did we miss? Let us know! Email jessie@downtownoshkosh.com with details.