Short Norths women-owned businesses are driving force in economy [Video]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Women are a driving force of the economic growth in the Short North. According to the Short North Alliance, there are 90 businesses owned by women across the district.

Most of these retailers, spas, and restaurants are not new. Meaning, many were established before the pandemic, and have made it through. It wasn’t easy.

“It is crazy to think about it, that it’s been three years,” said Stephanie Tersigni, owner of Jolie Occasions which opened in 2019.

By mid-March 2020, everything closed down. Tersigni wondered if she would ever be able to re-open again and what the future would hold if she could.

“I didn’t want to see my business fail. I wasn’t done with it yet. So I wasn’t going anywhere in my book and I was …