Warren Scott SHOWCASE FOR BUSINESSES — Abby LeMasters, owner of Tri B’s Coffee Shop, invited several women owned businesses from the Toronto area to offer their wares and information about their services within her business and outside on Clark Street. There was music from the Two Friends Trio.

TORONTO — Abby LeMasters, the owner of Tri B’s Coffee Shop, wanted to bring attention to the many new local businesses launched by women, and she did it in a big way by inviting all of them to gather inside her business and outside it on Clark Street on Oct. 15.

The coffee shop’s opening on North Fourth Street in January occurred about the same time as that for Meraki Made, a custom-made clothing shop just down the street, and their owners shared business cards for each other with their visitors.

The effort at cross-promotion, while not extensive, reflected a willingness among many small business owners in the Gem City to help each other, said LeMasters.

“All of of us supporting each other is super important. It’s going to benefit everyone,” she said, adding she hopes to hold similar events for each season next year.

With the cooperation of city officials, a small section of Clark Street was blocked and a stage set up for live music from the Two Friends Trio.

Among many with booths on the street was the REC Fitness, a physical fitness center opened by Korey Clegg within the Karaffa Recreation Center at 1307 Dennis Way in 2020 but was forced to close soon after because of the pandemic.

Crystal Wickham, one of three instructors there, noted the gym continued to serve the public through online instruction delivered through social media.

“As soon as we could re-open, we did,” she said.

Open Monday through Saturday, with workouts available in day and evenings, center’s offerings include spin classes, which use stationary bikes for muscle toning; and step routines utilizing light weights and paced for low or high intensity.

Visitors to the center range in age from 21 to 71, and modifications are available for beginners, said Wickham.

Alicia Troski, who owns Primary Print and Design with her husband, Jeremy; said the business opened in 2011 but moved in recent years to 1102 Franklin St.

She noted embroidered items, including customized Christmas stockings, jackets and other clothing have been added to its line of products.

Also on hand was Leslie Robbins of Leslie’s Dog Grooming and Doggie Things at 906 Banfield Ave.

Robbins said she has been grooming dogs for 30 years, 20 of them in Toronto, having returned to her hometown to raise her child.

A 1974 Toronto High School graduate and veteran of the Army National Guard, she said her focus is on dogs of small to medium size breeds and she’s available weekdays, evenings and Saturdays to accommodate working people.

Not all of the businesses showcased have brick and mortar locations. Some work from their homes and others bring their services to their clients.

Among the latter was Pretty Rad. It is owned by sisters Mallory and Nicole Radvansky, who provide cosmetic care, including the injection of Botox and dermal fillers to address crow’s feet, frown lines and other signs of aging.

The two explained they are board-certified nurse practitioners who collaborate with a local physician, as required by law, to provide their services. They have established a website and Facebook page to reach potential customers, adding more people pursue such treatments than is commonly believed and they are happy to make them available locally.

Kayla Wedlake also participated to spread word about the photography business she operates under her name. She said she has worked from her Toronto home since 2019, bringing her eye for a good picture to weddings and other special occasions as far as Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

A 2010 Edison High School graduate, Wedlake provided photo portraits of high schools seniors and babies, among others, and offers, at no cost, photos of pets known to be in the last days of their lives.

Kara Eltringham of Makeup of Kara has played a role in weddings and other special occasions, including high school dances, by helping women to look their best through cosmetics. She has helped students to prepare for their senior photos.

More information about Eltringham can be found on Instagram at MakeupbyKar_a.

Alex Taylor of Pretty Poppin’ Parties and Kathy Sabol of KJ’s Unique Party Setup both offered ways to make a birthday or other party special.

Taylor has created balloon towers and walls for occasions ranging from weddings to graduation or retirement parties and since opening in May, has booked many for this year and next.

A former television newswoman and Toronto resident, Taylor said she established the business while taking time off to focus on her family for a while.

A 1975 graduate of Toronto High School, Sobol said she can bring low tables, plush pillows and other accessories for theme parties for adults or provide elegant tablecloths, runners and other decor for clients’ own furnishings.

For children she offers small teepees with blankets and pillows, creating a camping effect for parties with themes ranging from superheroes and dinosaurs to mermaids and ladybugs.

Promoting merchandise they sell from their homes, through online businesses, or at local festivals were: Krista Beswick and Alicia Myslinsky of Zazazu Boutique, who have sold clothing for women and some wear for children to customers throughout the U.S.; Mira Payne of Mira’s Miraculous Plants & More, who sells an assortment of houseplants, scented brooms, hand-made wreaths and other items; and Jessica Winters of the Stella Creek Candle Co., who makes an assortment of scented candles at her Toronto home.

Winters said she had considered starting her own business, which was named for her grandmother, and after selling all of the product brought to the Toronto Art Festival in 2016, realized it was a good move.

Troski said the event is a sign that a new generation of entrepreneurs is interested in operating businesses in Toronto, a positive development for the city.

Alberta Chesney was among residents who were happy to see the event and the assortment of busineses, saying, “We need things like this in Toronto.”

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)