Celebrating Women's History Month at Bridge Street Market

WRITTEN BY JORDAN KOSSUTH

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with 8 of our local makers from women-owned businesses so we could share their stories with our shoppers and local community.

Keep reading to learn more about a few of the women behind your favorite products at Bridge Street Market.

Putting Hummus First with Hannah Awada of Hummus Goodness

When brainstorming names for her new Michigan-made hummus, Hannah Awada noted that a lot of hummus companies list the product last in their names. She wanted to make sure customers know that Hummus Goodness puts hummus first.

With a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s in History from the University of Toledo, her career has taken some exciting twists and turns. Her hummus journey began while the Awada family was living in Shanghai, where Hannah noticed a lack of her favorite snack on store shelves. After her homemade hummus made its debut at a social gathering, the next step was clear – start her own business!

When the family moved to Michigan, Hannah had zero intention of continuing hummus production, but was once again inspired by the encouragement of friends and family. Hummus Goodness has been bringing us incredible flavor profiles and clean, responsibly sourced ingredients since 2021.

“Goodness starts with your ingredients – we’re the hummus you expect to find in a Lebanese restaurant – the hummus your grandmother might make for you – the hummus that you want to feed your family.”

Chickpeas from a certified organic pesticide-free farm in Washington are pureed with fresh lemon juice and garlic, pure olive oil, and Michigan-made tahini. These fresh ingredients make up the Classic Hummus, and serve as the base to which bold flavors are added for more exciting varieties:

Balsamic Hummus – A savory favorite with in-house roasted garlic & balsamic glazed red onions.

Beet Hummus – Made with freshly roasted Michigan beets and topped with agave.

Taco Hummus – Topped with taco seasoning and fresh lime juice – add some cotija cheese and go to town!

Spicy Hummus – Nicknamed “the Raging Bull”, this combination of sriracha and lime juice is sure to make you sweat.

The inherent simplicity of hummus makes it an incredibly versatile ingredient that can add flavor to make any dish “uniquely you”. While you’re surely familiar with avocado toast, try mixing up your morning routine by spreading some Spicy Hummus on sourdough bread with a poached or fried egg on top. Spread vibrant Beet Hummus on sourdough bread and top with goat cheese, honey, and pistachios for a decadent treat. Tired of refried beans as a meatless substitute in tacos and nachos? Change it up by using Taco Hummus as your protein. And of course, crunchy snacks like pita strips, tortilla chips, and pretzels all making the perfect hummus delivery system from container to mouth!

Hannah has some advice for other women looking to begin their entrepreneurial journey. Taking the time to get Hummus Goodness certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council was integral as this certification opened so many doors to opportunities. Maintaining confidence and believing in your product and yourself are other key ingredients to stay the course and move forward.

Spreading the goodness is definitely not a one-person job. Hannah credits Lara Lozser, her partner since the business’ inception, as well as their amazing managers and employees for putting in the effort and love that makes this truly top-notch hummus.

Above all, Hannah highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who know what they’re talking about. Hannah found an amazing mentor through MSU’s Product Center, Becky DeYoung, who helped connect her with Woodward Corner Market Store Director Natalie Rubino. With Natalie’s support and guidance, Hummus Goodness hit shelves there in 2020. After launching at Woodward Corner Market – Hummus Goodness hit the shelves at Bridge Street Market, Rivertown Market and Capital City Market, before their debut in 145 Meijer Supercenters!

Supporting a Growing Creative Economy with Public Thread

Public Thread is a woman-owned textile upcycling company that designs and makes sewn products from surplus & scrap textiles. Founder Janay Brower grew up in Grand Rapids, now raising her own kids here. Bringing creativity and real change to this community is a concept that has been a thread throughout her entire professional career in city government and non-profit work.

“I love this place, and I want to be a part of the change I want to see in the world.”

Public Thread is a manifestation of this desire, taking products made right here in our community and incorporating amazing talent to breathe new life into old textiles that would otherwise wind up in a landfill.

It began in her kitchen in 2016, with the goal to develop a worker-owned cut & sew manufacturing business that supported sustainability and living wage jobs. She started researching fabrics, and quickly found that there is a lot of textile waste left over from manufacturers – and by partnering with area businesses she could minimize her overhead cost. By diverting this waste from landfills, and using materials made right here in our community, Public Thread is also creating a negative carbon emission.

The environmental footprint created by purchasing a bag that was made in another country and having it shipped here is astronomical. All Public Thread products are handmade using industrial sewing machines right here in Grand Rapids. Janay and team also partner with Grand Rapids Community College’s industrial sewing training program, offering classes and training for community members interested in the cut and sew industry. This training can bring out your creative side, and train people to enter the workforce with a creative mindset.

Janay’s long history of largescale change work in our community has helped create a large network of businesses in the area interested in a partnership. A perfect example is their Koozies, made with 3D knit material sourced from manufacturers like Steelcase (think the spongey weaved material used for office chairs), as well as a repurposed Chaco strap handle from Wolverine Worldwide!

Public Thread makes products for a variety of lifestyles, from weekender and makeup bags, cross-body bags and fanny packs, to laptop cases, dog collars, and leashes. Billboard vinyl from Outfront Media, Grand Rapids’ largest billboard company, is upcycled into a lining for many of their bags, making them super easy to clean and reuse.

This process is also a fantastic way to repurpose your own marketing materials. The first billboards announcing the opening of Bridge Street Market were transformed into reusable grocery bags sold right here in our store.

Each bag contained a unique cut from that material, with a variety of vibrant colors and text. Reusable bags from Public Thread have also become an important part of our initiative to remove plastic bags from our stores and promote sustainable and ecologically friendly practices.

Superbloom Farms: Local Leafy Greens, 365 Days a Year

In December 2021, Jill Frey started Superbloom Farms to shorten the distance food travels from farm to table. Little known fact – most of your produce comes from over 2,000 miles away, losing freshness and nutrients on the long journey to your fridge. Climate change, poor farming practices and production issues exacerbated by the current global pandemic have continued to highlight the need for more sustainable farming alternatives.

Jill was intrigued by the idea that she could make a difference in her corner of the world by creating a local food system with upcycled refrigerated shipping containers that have been turned into hydroponic farms. She uses coco husk/peat moss plugs and nutrient water, consuming 98% less water than traditional soil farms as water is constantly recycled and re-populated in a closed loop system. The carefully controlled environment system within the container allows her to grow seeds year-round without the use of pesticides or herbicides, producing nutrient rich greens completely free of chemicals. With 4 rows of vertical towers, she can grow the equivalent of over 2 acres of farmland within just 325 square feet.

These farms can be placed anywhere to produce a year-round local food system in any climate. Jill loved the idea of being hyper local and placing her farm super close to where her customers dine and shop. Amplify GR, a local community revitalization non-profit, partnered with Jill to assist her in the permitting process and provided her with a great location in the heart of our city. The presence of urban farms also creates employment opportunities and provides education about health eating and the importance of alternative farming methods.

Her products are unique, as she aims to bring something new to the market – a perfect example is her signature edible flowers! Sorbet Violas, which have a slight wintergreen flavor, come in a variety of colors perfect for brightening up a salad, charcuterie board, cocktail, or dessert.

Shop the following products from Superbloom Farms at Bridge Street Market:

Signature Superbloom Mix – A “dinner party worthy” mixture of artisan lettuce, red veined sorrel, and edible flowers.

Red Veined Sorrel – This lemony, tart herb is versatile and drop dead gorgeous – mix it in soups, salads, on fish, or in pesto. Sorrel is packed full of vitamins A & C to boost your immune system and heart health.

Genovese Basil – Originating in the Genovese region of Italy, this sweet basil has vigorous, large leaves that are perfect for rolling up and thinly slicing into a basil chiffonade – or on caprese skewers!

Supporting Superbloom Farms means access to local flavorful, nutrient-dense lettuce and herbs 365 days a year – from Jill’s freight farm to your table.

Learn more about Jill and Superbloom Farm’s “Dinner Party Worthy” leafy greens here!

Tor’s Tonics: Refreshment & Restoration – All in One Bottle

Victoria Zalokar Rieth was born and raised in Grand Rapids, with a naturopathic background and a long-time adoration of tea. Her family owned a local supplement store, so she grew up with an appreciation of the health benefits offered by natural botanical supplements, rather than an over reliance on pharmaceuticals.

Victoria renewed her focus on incorporating natural supplements in her diet to boost her immune system during the pandemic. While these powerful herbs provide substantial support to our bodies and minds, taking a handful of pills each day can be unappealing, and finding a central location to purchase them all proved to be a daunting task. She began blending fresh liquid forms of natural supplements with a friendly tea base, and in 2021 brought this passion project to the community with Tor’s Tonics.

Tor’s Tonics are a handcrafted blend of 7-8 vegan and organic ingredients in one convenient and approachable product. Take the Elderberry Eliksir Immunity Shot for example. This power-packed blend contains an assortment of ingredients that are often difficult to find on their own – let alone all combined into 2 ounces.

Elderberry and blueberry juices provide antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C to reduce inflammation, ease cold/flu symptoms, and destroy free radicals in the body. Reishi mushrooms improve liver function, reduce fatigue, and improve sleep, making it no surprise this is often called the “mushroom of immortality”. Ceylon cinnamon extract aides in digestion and circulatory health, maintaining blood pressure and sugar levels, while Echinacea tinctures serve as a hormone-balancing antiviral. Finally, Holy Basil is a revitalizing Ayurvedic herb with a calming effect – because when your body isn’t feeling great, your mental health can suffer as well!

Eliksir is spelled in the Slovenian way as a nod to her family’s heritage. Victoria worked with local graphic designer Roy Amos to incorporate traditional Eastern European folk art throughout her branding – including the spooky bat as an apostrophe in her logo. The term tonic is used in its classic apothecary sense, as Tor’s Tonics are a curated blend of adaptogenic ingredients designed to restore your body from the inside, out!

Victoria is intentional about sourcing ingredients ethically, using Ann Arbor-based Arbor Teas, who partner with fair trade farms that encourage women to earn a living wage in countries where they may not otherwise have that opportunity. These teas are used as a base in her two all-natural functional beverages – Fortify and Serenity.

Fortify – Tor’s Tonics’ flagship blend of Ceylon (Sri Lankan) green tea, ginger root, turmeric, hibiscus flower, reishi mushroom extract, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper.

Serenity – Chinese oolong tea paired with blueberry juice, lemongrass, agave, dried sumac, and reishi and lion’s mane mushroom extract.

From her home on Bridge Street, Victoria excitedly watched Bridge Street Market being built from the ground up, becoming a regular amidst our aisles. Her products hitting shelves here was a truly empowering moment for her, as she lists the store amongst her inspiration for Tor’s Tonics!

Find Tor’s Tonics in the Bridge Street Market beverage cooler section!

Momma D’s Kitchen: Fine as Wine BBQ Sauce

Debbie Mitchell was born in Muskegon and raised Grand Rapids, Michigan - raising her own family – two kids and five grandkids – in Grand Rapids. With over 45 years of home cooking experience, Debbie is devoted to serving her community and bringing new flavor to an old favorite – BBQ sauce!

Debbie enrolled in SpringGR’s business program in 2018 to start her own catering company. The name – Momma D’s Kitchen – came from an old Facebook photo album that her son had made with various mouthwatering photos of her home cooked meals. When the pandemic hit, she pivoted, bottling the homemade barbecue sauces that her family, friends, and customers had been raving about for years.

Each of these versatile barbecue sauces are made with less than .5% alcohol content so kids can still enjoy – leaving a shine as fine as wine and bringing unparalleled flavor to just about anything you can think of.

Barbecue sauce is a grilling staple, and Momma D’s is the perfect marinade for proteins and dipping sauce for sides like fries or vegetables. Try kicking the heat up with a splash of Cherry Bomb Moscato, guaranteeing you a win at the next chili cook-off. From chicken wings to rib tips to pulled pork sandwiches, Momma D’s Kitchen BBQ Sauce is a work of art!

Find all 4 flavors on shelves at Bridge Street Market:

Pineapple Moscato – Sweet and spicy – what more could you ask for? Debbie recently used this to make a mouthwatering Pineapple Moscato bacon-wrapped meatloaf.

Sweet Orange Serena – A sweet and tangy sauce made with red wine – try it on top of fries or use as a marinade.

Apple Chardonnay – Sweet and sour – the perfect marinade for chicken or salmon!

·Cherry Bomb Moscato – An explosion of flavor and spice guaranteed to bring your cookout to the next level.

Debbie has been active at getting her BBQ sauces out there. Momma D’s Kitchen was showcased as a feature by Meijer Marketplace at the 2022 Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival. She won a sponsorship award from Drag Nation News at their 4th Annual Cancer Awareness Race for a Cure in the fall of 2022. And currently, Momma D’s Kitchen is also competing as a finalist in Michigan Women Forward’s 2023 WomanUp & Pitch Business Plan Competition.

Pick up a bottle (or four!) next time you stop in and be sure to check out Momma D’s Kitchen’s mobile food cart this summer at Food Truck Fridays or the Fulton Street Market – bringing home-cooking (and fine as wine bbq sauce) directly to our community!

Brewery Nyx: Gluten Free Beers, from Farm to Glass

Jessica Stricklen has always been a craft beer fan – it’s hard not to be when you’re born and raised in Beer City, USA! While the term “craft beer” is fairly fluid, craft beers are generally made in small batches with high-quality ingredients. The result is a more flavorful and complex brew that prioritizes originality. About 13 years ago, Jessica was devasted to give up this love when allergy testing uncovered a gluten intolerance.

“Grand Rapids has no shortage of beer for enthusiasts, but for the gluten-free it can feel like wandering through a desert with nothing to drink.”

While living in the Pacific Northwest, Jessica was thrilled to discover gluten-free beers, but when her family moved back to West Michigan, she was disappointed to find that nobody had filled that void in our community. “Somebody was going to do it sooner or later,” she jokes, “so it may as well be sooner, and it may as well be me!”

Brewery Nyx is the first dedicated gluten-free craft brewery in Grand Rapids. The best part about Brewery Nyx beers? They’re making craft beer more accessible in Grand Rapids while also maintaining the same great taste as any other craft beer.

Some breweries will make gluten-removed beer using wheat barley and rye, along with an enzyme that removes the gluten from suspension, but there’s no guarantee that zero gluten remains. Others will dilute a beer made with expensive gluten-free ingredients to maintain their desired alcohol level at a lower cost.

Brewery Nyx uses premium and naturally gluten-free grains like millet and buckwheat, without fillers, sugar adjuncts, or sorghum. Their facility has internal quality control methods in place to verify that no cross-contamination has taken place – bringing you a truly gluten-free brew from farm to glass!

The name, Brewery Nyx, serves several purposes – the obvious one being a play on “nixing” the gluten in beer. While doing some research, Jessica came across the goddess Nyx – an ancient deity who personifies night, produces death and darkness, and is born of chaos. Jessica jokes that at first thought, she didn’t seem like a great mascot. But she began to identify some parallels between Nyx and what it can feel like to be a member of the gluten-free community – encountering judgement and being considered “high maintenance”. She also highlights that while death and chaos can be scary concepts, they’re not inherently bad or evil – they’re a part of life!

Brewery Nyx opened their taproom at 506 Oakland Ave SW in July 2022, but began selling bottled gluten-free beers at Bridge Street Market in December 2021. We actually hosted their launch right here in the store!

Stop in and pick up some of these favorites today:

Blonde – A bright and refreshing brew with tasting notes of citrus and honey.

Double IPA – A staple – this hoppy and tropical India pale ale is their #1 seller across the board.

Stout – A rich and smooth classic that tastes like cacao and coffee.

You can find their beers all over Grand Rapids at local restaurants like One Twenty-Three Tavern or The Friesian, as well as during your night out at Van Andel Arena or Celebration Studios North! And be sure to stop into their brewing facility to try all of Brewery Nyx’ exciting seasonal and specialized brews.

Gracewood Candles: A Light of Hope

A desire to help people had always been her driving passion, but as Alisha Lauchie was pursuing a degree in social work, she found that her studies were all-consuming. She had seen patients struggling to find joy and hope, and without an outlet to express her artistic side she resonated with that, feeling a lack of creative fulfillment and inspiration.

She found that outlet around the holidays, as she handmade candles as personalized Christmas gifts for family and friends. Their encouraging feedback got her excited about an appealing and creative way to earn some extra income while also expressing herself.

But Alisha didn’t just want to make candles – she wanted to spread light throughout her community with a positive, uplifting message of hope. Gracewood Candles is a combination of two important sources of hope in Alisha’s life – Grace for the Nations church, and Wildwood Ranch, a transformative camp she attended and later returned to as a counselor.

Alisha also works with Urban Core Collective, an organization focused on sustaining, uniting, and advocating for historically marginalized communities to help reduce the effects of systemic racism and create a more equitable Grand Rapids. This involvement, along with her years of experience as a practicing therapist, have had a significant impact on the business.

“Social work has not just been a job, but a training and framework that has developed how I think about and view the world. I use it almost every day to see people beyond what you see on the surface – how their experiences, emotions and thoughts come together to form who they are.”

Whether interacting at local markets, designing packaging, or developing scents, Alisha is always considering her customer base and what feelings the finished product is intended to evoke. This has manifested in unique, collection-specific jars, and uplifting materials to accompany each candle. Gracewood Candles are all made with cotton wicks and skin-safe, phthalate-free fragrance oils, ensuring no chemicals are emitted into your home when lit.

Each candle in The Life Collection has a single-word name, a term that speaks to what we as humans need and feel at different times in our lives. The lemongrass scented Hope Candle seeks to inspire, uplift, and evoke hopefulness. A state of tranquility and quiet can be found with the lavender/chamomile blended Peace Candle.

Alisha’s favorite candle is Sugar Cookie, a birthday cake inspired design from The Original Collection, handmade with real sprinkles that melt down, filling the room with the scent of freshly baked sugar cookies. The Original Collection also includes Lemon Verbena, Eucalyptus Peppermint, Clean Linen, and the rich, fruity profile of Love Spell. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your space, you can’t go wrong with any of these inspiring fragrances in a sleek jar topped with a gold lid.

Find your light at Bridge Street Market with a variety of hand poured Gracewood Candles from the Original and Life Collections, as well as some seasonal favorites from the spring/summer collection!

Learn more about Alisha and Gracewood Candles here.

Ephemeral Art & Small Batch Treats from Amethyst Bee Cakery

Amethyst Bee Cakery was established by Paula Reed in the spring of 2019, while she was working full-time as a Neurophysiologist and finishing her Masters in Health Administration. Somehow, she was also finding time to bake up a storm, and with some encouragement from family, began using her talents to support the community!

Much like the winged insect in the name, Amethyst Bee Cakery has been busy and on the move! They started in the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen, soon moving to their own small storefront in Rockford, and finally landing a dream commercial kitchen space in Grand Rapids’ ever-evolving Eastown district.

Bee Side Kitchen, where all her baked goods are handcrafted in small batches, also serves as a rentable commercial kitchen space. The goal of this shared space is to make starting a small food-based business more attainable, providing equipment and a fully licensed commercial kitchen where other small business owners can create and sell their products. The support and education provided here is a win for all, bringing our community more locally made confections and exciting collaborations.

The Amethyst Bee Cakery logo was designed by local mural artist Chelsea Michal Garter, and the name is a nod to Paula’s experiences. Amethysts have always been a favorite of Paula’s – a “diamond in the rough” gem formed out of pressure in cracks and crevices. You may also have heard that the flight of bumble bees defies the laws of physics. While this is just a myth, it’s one that Paula relates to when reflecting on her journey. Her education and career background have been focused in healthcare, yet she finds herself thriving while running a bakery and kitchen.

Paula is always willing to take on the next challenge. Amethyst Bee Cakery is your go-to micro bakery for handmade treats that adhere to any dietary restrictions. Whether you’re vegan, gluten intolerant, or nut-free, they’re always willing to experiment and adjust recipes with alternative flours, sweeteners, and other ingredients to make your celebration perfect.

In 2019, Paula’s friend and former coworker Christine sent her a photo of the bakery display table at Bridge Street Market, telling her that someday Amethyst Bee Cakery products would be found there. “I didn’t have the vision, but she believed in me,” laughs Paula, whose products hit shelves here less than a year later.

“Bridge Street Market’s staff – especially Mitch Cook - were monumental in coaching me throughout the process – making it a less intimidating experience and giving me the confidence needed to succeed as a wholesaler.”

Grab some scones, toffee bark, macarons, or cookies from Amethyst Bee Cakery in the baked goods display at Bridge Street Market. And keep an eye out for their elusive Littlefoot Droppings – chocolate covered espresso beans made in collaboration with another Bridge Street Market vendor, Littlefoot Coffee!