Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs in New Glarus on International Women’s Day

Today, on International Women’s Day, we proudly celebrate the incredible women entrepreneurs of New Glarus. These inspiring business owners bring creativity, passion, and dedication to our community, shaping it into the vibrant place we know and love. From charming boutiques to essential services, these businesses represent the strength and ingenuity of women in business. Let’s take a moment to highlight the solely women-owned businesses making an impact in New Glarus!

Retail & Boutiques

New Rose – New Rose is an eclectic, ever-evolving boutique that celebrates individuality, artistry, and sustainability. Curated with a rebellious DIY spirit, the shop offers a unique collection of handmade, fair trade, upcycled, and vintage treasures—each with its own story and soul.

Sugar River Shoppe – Sugar River Shoppe is a charming boutique in historic New Glarus, offering stylish clothing, handcrafted jewelry, cozy home decor, and thoughtful gifts. With over 20 years in the community, the shop provides a warm, welcoming experience where visitors can find unique treasures and friendly conversation.

Blumenladen Collective – Brenda’s Blumenladen offers a thoughtfully curated selection of home décor, gifts, and fresh floral designs, with ever-changing inventory to inspire every visit. Whether strolling the garden walk or browsing inside, guests will find a charming and welcoming shopping experience. Railroad St. Boutique offers a curated selection of stylish women’s apparel and accessories, hand-picked from fashion shows across the country. With a focus on exceptional customer service, the boutique provides a welcoming and fun shopping experience that helps every customer feel confident and beautiful. Kinderladen is a charming toy store in downtown New Glarus, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of games, puzzles, books, and creative kits for all ages. With a focus on exceptional customer service and unique finds, it’s a local favorite for bringing out the kid in everyone.

Lollygag Antiques – Lollygag Antiques is a charming boutique filled with carefully curated vintage, antique, garden, and home décor treasures. With seasonal updates four times a year, there’s always something new to discover!

Happy Little Stitch Shop – Happy Little Stitch Shop offers a wide range of quilting and cross-stitch supplies, featuring various fabric collections, patterns, and kits. Their friendly service and dedication to supporting stitchers make it a great destination for both beginners and experienced crafters.

The Duke’s Stash – The Duke's Stash is a quilting store offering a diverse selection of quilting fabrics and essential supplies to help complete your projects. With a focus on quality materials, it caters to quilters looking for everything from fabric to notions for their crafting needs.

Erda + Arch – Erda + Arch, created by Lauren during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a heartfelt project focused on crafting meaningful wearables and paper goods. What began as a small idea has grown into a passion project driven by Lauren's passion for design and craftsmanship.

Esther’s European Imports – Esther, an immigrant from Längenbühl near Thun, Switzerland, brings a true Swiss retail experience to Esther's European Imports. With extensive product knowledge and a strong focus on customer service, she aims to offer an authentic and high-quality selection to her customers.

This Becomes That – This Becomes That is dedicated to keeping items out of landfills by repurposing furniture and other pieces into unique, beautiful creations. By offering these one-of-a-kind items at a lower cost, the goal is to provide sustainable and affordable options for customers looking to add character to their home. 

Sip, Savor, Stay

Kennedey's Ice Cream & Grill/Kennedy’s Guest House – Kennedy’s Ice Cream & Grill in New Glarus is a charming stop for anyone looking to enjoy delicious burgers, sandwiches, and creamy ice cream in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere. Situated along the picturesque bike trail, it’s the perfect place to refuel and unwind, whether you’re a local or just passing through this lovely Swiss-inspired town. Kennedy’s Guest House provides a cozy, home-like retreat with stunning views of New Glarus and a newly updated open floor plan, complete with a full kitchen, large bathroom, and space for up to five guests. Located above Kennedy’s Ice Cream & Grill and near the Sugar River Trailhead, guests can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and snowmobiling while taking in the charm of this vibrant town.

New Glarus Bakery – New Glarus Bakery has been delighting customers with Swiss and American pastries since 1910, and under Angela’s ownership since 2004, continues to craft authentic, beloved treats. With a focus on Old World recipes and the highest quality ingredients, each pastry offers a taste of tradition and craftsmanship that has made this bakery a cherished part of the community for over a century.

Blanc Chalet – In early 2023, a mother/daughter team took over the former Swiss-Aire Motel, breathing new life into the property with renovated rooms and a refreshed guest experience. Their focus is on creating a modern and effortless stay with features like contactless check-in, ensuring guests can relax and feel at home while enjoying a wide range of room options at The Blanc Chalet.

Raven’s Den/Raven’s Nest – Raven’s Nest occupies the entire second floor of the Pioneer Valley Outdoor Store in downtown New Glarus, offering a well-appointed space with a stocked kitchen, high-speed internet, and entertainment options like books, games, and DVDs. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and snowmobiling, along with exploring the charming town’s shops, restaurants, and festivals. Or, Immerse yourself into a Rusty Raven Experience! The eclectic Ravens Den is a large, 2-bedroom downtown apartment offering plenty of space to relax & unwind as you explore New Glarus.

Professional Services & Wellness

BreeSean Pittman Agency – The BreeSean Pittman Agency helps navigate the often confusing world of insurance by providing clear guidance and ensuring clients are protected for life's twists and turns. Offering free, no-obligation quotes for auto, home, life, and commercial insurance, the agency focuses on finding the right coverage to fit each individual's needs.

Sara Drew State Farm – Sarah Drew State Farm Agent provides comprehensive insurance services in the New Glarus area, offering a wide range of products to protect what matters most. With years of experience since joining State Farm in 2003, Sarah is dedicated to offering a supportive and personalized approach to meet the unique needs of each customer.

Corrine’s Little Explorers – Corrine's Little Explorers offers a safe and nurturing environment for children in the New Glarus area, with curriculum-based educational activities that promote social skill development. As a home daycare, it provides a loving space for kids to learn and grow, with limited availability for enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis.

Coaching 4U LLC – Coaching 4U LLC is centered on understanding your unique financial situation and helping you take actionable steps toward financial freedom. With experience as a debt-free coach, clients receive personalized guidance, budgeting support, and accountability to turn their goals into reality.

Venustas Immortalis – Venustas Immortalis focuses on delivering natural-looking results in a safe, professional, and welcoming environment, where clients feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Committed to education and client empowerment, the team ensures that services are tailored to each individual's needs, all while fostering a fun, relaxed atmosphere that promotes confidence and well-being.

Touch of Relief Massage & Wellness – Located in the charming downtown New Glarus, Touch of Relief Massage & Wellness is the area's exclusive studio offering therapeutic and relaxation massage, esthetic services such as facial and body treatments, and Infrared Sauna therapy..

Honoring Women’s Entrepreneurship

These businesses are not just places to shop, eat, or receive services—they represent the hard work, vision, and perseverance of the women who run them. Their contributions help shape our town’s culture and economy, and today, we celebrate their achievements.

On this International Women’s Day, let’s show our support by shopping local, spreading the word, and celebrating the incredible women who make New Glarus a thriving, welcoming community.