In a display of the health of downtown Highland Park’s women-owned business community, several dozen owners mingled at a Port Clinton event Friday morning, with some marking decades in business and others still waiting to open their doors later this year.
The “Great Gathering of Women of Downtown Highland Park,” as organizers called it, is the precursor to the upcoming second-annual Whistle-Stop Trolley tour on May 7, which is centered around celebrating the more than 140 identified women-owned businesses in the city’s downtown.
Much like last year, participants will be able to tour the numerous businesses, hopping on several trolley buses going around downtown to see various free demonstrations, specials and giveaways. Each business will provide them with a ribbon, which will give them a better shot at winning gifts at the event’s afterparty.
This year’s event is taking key lessons from last year, said Ilyse Strongin, the owner of Ripple Media Relations, who is both participating in the event and helping get the word out. Organizers have begun advertising earlier, she said, and the event will run longer. Businesses “off the beaten path” have also been invited to a shared event space in the center of downtown.
Primarily organized by Sandy Saldano, owner of massage therapy business Therapeutic Kneads, the Whistle-Stop tour has grown from 25 participating businesses last year to more than 40 for 2026.
It includes a healthy mix of different businesses, from coffee shops to dance therapy studios. Strongin said part of the idea with the tour was to connect the many different businesses’ client bases, making everyone stronger.
Marlena Jayatilake, owner of artisan spice and tea shop Love that Spice and a repeat tour participant, spoke glowingly during Friday’s mingle event. Last year, her shop was packed throughout the evening.
“Last year was fantastic,” Jayatilake said. “All of the women getting together, bringing that fantastic energy, that positive energy, basically being a big community.”
As attendees filmed brief social media videos on Friday, she highlighted the sheer variety of businesses represented.
“There are so many hidden gems in Highland Park,” Jayatilake said. “Look at what we’re doing, I don’t think any other community has this many women-owned businesses.”
Niki Schwartz and Carrie Goodman, owners of longtime specialty candy store Goodies, praised the support of Highland Park businesswomen, as well as the broader community.
“There’s community-driven support here,” Goodman said.
