Boutique Drive to showcase women-owned businesses

Meghan Ramirez, owner of Elodie Grace Boutique, is organizing an event meant to showcase other women-owned businesses.

Abe's Babes Boutique Drive will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on  Sunday, April 27, with nearly two dozen businesses participating in Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Waverly and Farmersville.

"I wanted to show that women can achieve their business dreams and empower one another," Ramirez said. She originally launched her business as an online-only boutique in 2017 before opening a brick-and-mortar store in 2022, adding home décor and gift items in addition to women’s clothing and accessories.

"There are 23 businesses participating in the drive," Ramirez said. "They include gift shops, boutiques, home décor, repurposed furniture and antiques. There is also an ice cream shop and two coffee shops, plus Del's Popcorn."

Ramirez said participation was limited to businesses with brick-and-mortar locations, but she is open to expanding future events to include online businesses .

"A lot of vendors asked about setting up in our parking lot, and that's something we're talking about for next year," she said. "We've also discussed having a winter market out at the fairgrounds, which would allow for more businesses to participate."

Ramirez said the idea is to encourage ladies to gather a group of friends or family and have an outing to visit the participating businesses in Springfield and the surrounding area.

"We are hoping to grow this, and hopefully this can be the start of a new tradition," she said.