Women entrepreneurs have long been reshaping the landscape of the food and beverage industry, but now they’re getting the recognition and support they deserve. Enter Fork and Femme—a new initiative spearheaded by Her Texas. Designed to spotlight and support women-led restaurants, food businesses, and beverage brands across the state, Fork and Femme is more than a celebration of food. It’s a catalyst for change, channeling dollars and attention directly to women founders working in an industry where visibility and access to funding often remain elusive.
In recent years, Lancaster, Texas, has been experiencing a quiet yet powerful transformation. As one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas, it’s quickly becoming a hub of new possibilities for businesses and residents alike. Behind the scenes of this impressive revitalization stands Michaella Ramler, founder of Stewarding Space, a design firm known for its focus on community-centered development.
One of Michaella’s most notable projects is the transformation of Downtown Lancaster, a once-overlooked district that’s being reimagined as a bustling hub for culture, commerce, and connection. Central to this redevelopment are the woman-owned businesses that are helping breathe new life into the area.
We sat down with Michaella to learn more about her vision for Downtown Lancaster and why supporting women-owned businesses—especially in the food and beverage space—is crucial to the community’s growth and success. With her visionary approach, Michaella is spearheading efforts to restore and reshape the city’s historical core into a vibrant, inclusive destination.
Tell us about your role with Downtown Lancaster? What brought you to this project?
As my hometown, I felt a strong calling to pivot my career toward development in the southern sector of DFW, starting here in Lancaster. I oversee marketing efforts and business recruitment to serve the community. My vision is for Downtown Lancaster to return as a hub for the Best Southwest and it’s already happening; within just one year, we’ve grown from 3 to 13 businesses in the retail and restaurant categories.
Development has many stages. Initially, I oversaw the acquisition of 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, the primary storefronts of downtown, with the support of my investment partners. I then implemented financing aligned with a business plan to get the buildings filled through construction and recruitment efforts. Now, my role involves ensuring the development continues to thrive through marketing and expanding our building inventory for further growth. Reviving the magic of downtown for today’s families is incredibly rewarding.
The Lovin’ Oven
For first-time visitors, what should we know about Downtown Lancaster?
Downtown Lancaster offers a charming mix of history and small, family-run businesses. Our historic square, filled with red-brick buildings and shaded courtyard spaces, tells the story of resilience after the 1994 tornado. It’s a perfect getaway for those seeking a blend of small-town charm and modern experiences. Just 20 minutes south of Dallas, Lancaster retains its small-city charm, with a history even older than Dallas itself. We have fascinating stories, like the lingering tiles on the ground from a bank where Clyde (of Bonnie and Clyde fame) robbed a bank. Lancaster is also home to the famous first-ever father of quarter horses, Steel Dust, who is buried just down the street from downtown. These unique touches make Lancaster not only historically rich but a true gem in the Best Southwest. We still have the original Interurban building downtown, and the unique layout of our square—with entrances in the center instead of corners—creates a safe, walkable space for families to explore.
Ultimately, what makes our downtown truly special is that the majority of our buildings are owned by women, and 79% of the businesses are women-owned, with 67% being minority-owned. This unique combination creates a diverse and empowering environment that reflects the strength and resilience of our community. Lancaster is proud to champion women and minority entrepreneurship, making it a vibrant, inclusive hub for both business owners and visitors.
Is Downtown Lancaster a good place to start a business?
Our supportive community, paired with revitalization efforts, has created an environment where entrepreneurs can truly thrive. There’s an exciting sense of momentum as we’ve solidified our brand identity and word continues to spread! We’re also planning to activate public spaces around downtown with regular weekly, monthly, and quarterly events. The city has been denying all Special Event permits for over a year, but we remain optimistic that this will change soon, enabling us to fully realize our vision for the community and bring our events to life, which includes monthly farmers markets, live music, art walks, and seasonal festivals.
Fork and Femme is dedicated to uplifting and championing women-owned businesses. Can you introduce us to some of the woman-owned businesses here?
CURIO KITCHEN & MARKET
- Owner: Laura & Chris Patrick (Laura is 51% owner)
- Address: 129 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: Curio Kitchen & Market offers chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals with fresh, local ingredients. While Chef Chris Patrick leads the culinary creations, Laura Patrick curates the wine selection and manages operations and marketing. Her expertise ensures a high-quality, seamless experience for customers. Together, they provide gourmet convenience with a personal touch.
- From the founder: “Having a small business is about more than just entrepreneurship—it’s about making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. When I started my business, I wanted the freedom and flexibility to work on my own terms and create a schedule that works for my little family of 5. But beyond that, I love being able to serve people in times of need, showing up when life gets tough, and nourishing them with chef-crafted meals. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our business helps people feel cared for and supported through the food we provide.”
SAVIANA WINERY
- Owner: Julie Denton
- Address: 116 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: Saviana Winery is a family-owned business in Downtown Lancaster that combines Italian heritage with Texas pride. Offering handcrafted wines, the winery creates a welcoming space for tastings and events, showcasing locally sourced ingredients. Their curated selection reflects a deep passion for quality and craftsmanship.
THE LOVIN’ OVEN
- Owner: Suzanne Maxwell
- Address: 181 Historic Town Square | Facebook
- About the business: The Lovin’ Oven Bakery is a beloved bakery that has been serving the community for over 49 years. Known for its homemade cakes & cookies, the bakery offers a wide range of baked goods made with love and traditional recipes. With a long-standing reputation for quality and freshness, The Lovin’ Oven has become a local favorite for sweet treats and custom orders. Best of all, it was founded by a woman, then sold to a woman!
BOBA LICIOUS
- Owner: Erika Solorzano & Beatriz Reyes
- Address: 140 E 1st St | Website Instagram
- About the business: Boba Licious, founded by two Latina best friends, is a lively bubble tea shop in Lancaster, Texas that offers a variety of customizable bubble teas, smoothies, and slushes. The shop also features a kid’s corner where children can read books while their parents enjoy a drink.
- From the founders: “Our small business is a place where we can all network and learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Boba Licious is located right next to Just Juice and that’s how we find inspiration—from successful individuals willing to share their journey. We aren’t just women succeeding in business; we’re friends who treat every customer like a special guest and create a sense of community.”
CHACHA & CHOPEES
- Owner: Sara Ruth Cantu
- Address: 196 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: Chacha & Chopees offers a wide selection of freeze-dried candies, putting a fun twist on classic sweets. Their freeze-dried treats are light, crispy, and packed with intensified flavor, creating a unique snacking experience. This shop brings a creative edge to the candy world, delighting customers of all ages.
JUST JUICE
- Owner: Monica Ruiz
- Address: 147 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- 1-2 sentences about the business: Just Juice is a Latina woman-owned smoothie and juice bar located in the courtyard of Downtown Lancaster, Texas. This family-run business offers fresh, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and wellness shots made with natural ingredients. With a focus on health and community, Just Juice provides a cozy space for customers to relax and enjoy nutritious beverages in a vibrant setting.
- From the founder: “Starting a small business is watching my dream come true. The ideas, planning, determination, courage, passion, and so much more took a role to make my small business happen. To see all the hard work and hours put into my business, it was all worth it. It is such a blessing to have people who have supported me from the beginning until now. Starting and currently running my small business is such a beautiful journey that I come to appreciate more and more everyday. My small business gave me a community, wholesome memories, happiness, and personal growth. Therefore, JUST JUICE means an incredibly amount to me.”
GELU ITALIAN ICE
- Owner: Norma & Joselyn Hernandez
- Address: 149 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: Gelu Italian Ice is a family-run business led by a mother-daughter team, nestled in the courtyard of Downtown Lancaster. Offering a variety of natural, dairy-free flavors, it’s the perfect spot to relax outside with a refreshing treat. Whether you’re looking to cool off or enjoy time with family, Gelu provides a welcoming atmosphere and delicious Italian ice.
- From the founder: “Having my own business has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but the most gratifying! It means to be able to achieve financial independence, flexibility and control to enjoy more time together as a family. It means leaving a legacy for our future generations!”
LA CALLE DOCE
- Owner: Laura & Silka Sanchez
- Address: 161 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: La Calle Doce is a beloved Mexican seafood restaurant in Lancaster, Texas, known for its authentic, coastal-inspired dishes. With over 40 years of history, it offers a fresh menu featuring classics like ceviche, seafood enchiladas, and shrimp cocktails, all served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a seafood lover or looking for traditional Mexican cuisine, La Calle Doce provides a memorable dining experience. Best of all, it’s owned by a mother, daughter duo.
KYOTO BREW (Currently Under Construction)
- Owner: Estelle & Hanna Hernandez
- Address: 121 Historic Town Square | Website Instagram
- About the business: Kyoto Brew is a unique, Japanese-inspired coffee and cocktail bar set to open in Lancaster, Texas. With a focus on blending traditional and modern flavors, they offer a curated selection of specialty coffee drinks and handcrafted cocktails in a stylish, welcoming indoor and patio space. Best of all, Kyoto Brew is owned and operated by two local Lancaster sisters.
- From the founders: “To me, small business is a platform for creativity—whether it’s observing the vision of others as a consumer or expressing our unique approach to hospitality as a business owner. Small businesses create a more localized economic impact, as we tend to source from nearby suppliers and build relationships with those around us.”
Anything else you would like the Her Texas community to know?
We’re a small community that, until this year, was primarily known for large-scale corporate developments like data centers and warehouses. Now, we’re incredibly excited about the growth of small businesses providing everyday resources that directly impact our community, like smoothie shops and gathering spaces. We’re eager to spread the word and celebrate the amazing family- and women-owned businesses that have chosen Downtown Lancaster. The momentum is building, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for our city.
Live interview with Just Juice and Boba Licious