12 Legacy Women-Owned Businesses at Pike Place Market
As we honor Women’s History Month, we want to highlight some of the local women-owned businesses that have contributed to our world-famous Pike Place Market for decades.
We’ve gathered 12 vendors to share their unique origin stories and what makes them a special part of our Market community. Shop and support them this month and all year long!
To learn more about all of our women-owned businesses at Pike Place Market, click below.
Art Stall Gallery
With over 50 years in operation, this gallery booth showcases work from its all-women cooperative of 13 artists. Its founding members got their roots when the artists became involved with the movement to save Pike Place Market from demolition. Purchasing directly from the stall lets you skip the collector to receive the most affordable pricing for professional art, both elegant originals and small prints.
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Chukar Cherries
Founder Pam Montgomery started Chukar Cherries with the simple mission to craft a dried fruit product without commercial preservatives. On their 100-acre orchard in central Washington, they began their journey to produce fruitful snacks, confections, and premium edible gifts. Their values have remained steadfast over 35+ years: quality ingredients sourced regionally or domestically, minimal sugar, no preservatives, and environmental stewardship.
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O-Mart
A mainstay of the Market since the 1970s, this three-generation, family-owned business offers a dual retail and eatery in its quaint space. At the front, choose from a wide selection of traditional Asian spices, sauces, and grocery products. Order lunch here and then head around to the back counter serving up James Beard award-winning Filipino cuisine. Their Salmon Sinigang soup is a comforting delight on a cold and rainy day traversing the Market. Don’t miss the cheeky handwritten signage collection bearing no-nonsense reminders to respect the chef making your delicious plate!
Hands of the World
For over 40 years, Hands of the World has sourced its elegantly imported home goods and exquisite jewelry from various communities worldwide. Owner Cynthia Hope has made it her mission to empower fair wages and educational resources since the beginning through a system that is now known as fair trade, putting the needs of the producer first. It is the go-to stop at the Market to support craftspeople from across the globe.
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North Country Woolgatherers
Producing beautifully crafted quilts in the Crafts Market for over 20 years, owner Maggie Wheeler weaves care and compassion into her works. As a retired pediatrician, Maggie has spent her off-season time from the Market volunteering abroad in Central America and West Africa. There she worked to launch programming for new mothers to empower them with education, nutrition, and care initiatives. Her work training providers and nurses inform her passion for connecting with others through her quiltmaking.
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Flyingcat Creations
Born in a small village near Mt. Fuji in Japan, Mustuko Mitsui grew up on a rural farm that cultivated her curiosity for exploring nature and imaginary worlds in her ceramic works. Her sweet hand-painted creations range from wearable pendants to mugs and dishes, themed with playful creatures and whimsical patterns. Mutsuko is celebrating her 20th anniversary at the Market this year!
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C. Vaughan & Sons
Inspired by her grandmother’s embroidery, Christine Vaughan prints her original designs by hand on floursack dishtowels. Besides being a long-time crafter, she’s devotedly invested in our Market community. She’s advocated for its traditions and empowered preservation from the top while serving as a PDA Councilmember for 8 years, and the Market Historical Commission for 7 years.
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Tisbury Art Glass
Growing up on a boat in the Caribbean, Tisbury Pringle-Ennis was enamored by the luminescence and fluidity of sea life. It inspired her to begin a career in flame-worked glass art, forging elegant creatures into jewelry and sculptures. She’s been sharing her enchanting creations of the underwater world for over 20 years now, keeping connected to her roots in oceanside living and a curiosity for the mystique of what lies below.
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Xai C. Farm
Seeking new opportunities after immigrating from Laos following a civil war, Xai Cha began her farming journey in the family backyard in Washington. They raised their children alongside vegetables and herbs and began brewing up a dream to take it bigger. Growing from a small two-acre plot in 1995, Xai C. Farm now spans 9 acres of fruits, veggies, and glorious blooms that fill Market bouquets throughout the seasons. Xai C. Farm is now run by Xai’s daughter Mary Thao.
Moua Farm
At a young age, prior to migrating to the U.S., husband and wife Chao and Mao tended to their parents’ acreage and growing vegetables to sell at street markets. They transferred these agricultural skills to start their own farm in Monroe, Washington in 1994. Through sacrifice, commitment, and optimism, the Moua family became full-time farmers and turned a small produce stand into a renowned floral business. Sandra Moua runs the event florist arm of their business in addition to supporting their booth, crafting stunning arrangements for weddings, baby showers, and more.
Razey Orchard
Mary Kay of Naches, Washington runs a certified organic farm with her husband, producing some of the juiciest apples, cherries, peaches, and more signature specialties of the Pacific Northwest! They’ve been selling their farm-fresh produce at the Market since 1982, and customers look forward to their top-notch Rainier cherries every summer.
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Market Lavender
Linda Boitano has sold her farm-fresh lavender products at the Market for nearly 30 years. She is a third-generation farmer, growing her lavender on the same land where her grandfather once raised his vegetables. The rich soil rooted in family history makes their local products a special bunch. Both English lavender and Lavendin, commonly known as French lavender, grow on their farm and are sold in fresh bundles or made into soaps, lotions, and other fragrantly soothing topicals. Ask them about ways to bake lavender into your sweet treats!
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