Editors’ Note: This story was originally published in the Rockbridge Report on Oct. 31.

More than 80% of Lexington’s downtown businesses are now owned by women, reflecting a push for more flexibility and work-life balance for the entrepreneurs.

Since last spring, women have opened Thistleberrys, a gift shop, Cupcake Heaven, Hatterwick Boutique and Violett Consignment.

Nationwide, about 39% of businesses are owned by women, according to the WIPP Education Institute, an organization that researches the economic growth of women’s businesses.

Jannie Linn opened Thistleberrys last month. Linn, 67, said she likes the community aspect of owning a business and she thinks people get excited when they see a small business run by someone her age.

“I’m old enough where people think I want to just retire, but I like meeting people,” she said. “They’re glad to see when you get older that you’re still wanting to do things.”

She wants her store to be a gathering place for women. She plans to host events and provide a space for women to do different activities together as a getaway from daily responsibilities.

Only 56% of the downtown businesses were partially or completely owned by women 10 years ago, said Rebecca Logan, executive director of Main Street Lexington. She said the flexibility of owning a business could contribute to the increasing number of woman-owned businesses.

“I think owning a business gives women more control over their work life. Some women own a business as a hobby and don’t rely on the income,” she said. “Some women need the income from the business but want more flexibility and control.”

After being a stay-at-home mom for years, Cupcake Heaven owner Laura Mulitalo said she always wanted to get back into the workforce and do something for the community.

Since opening her store last December, she said she has received a lot of positive feedback from community members.

“I’ve felt really supported. The community has embraced us,” she said. “I don’t know that I’d say that people come in because we’re woman-owned, but it definitely helps.”

Diana Madsen-Schofield opened Rockbridge Music more than 40 years ago, and she said she felt the same support from the community when she opened her store. She said she has always been treated well as a female business owner.

“In some ways I feel like initially, being a woman helped me,” she said. “It was rather rare to find a woman that owned a music store back then.”

Madsen-Schofield said it is harder to be a business owner now because she has to compete with the popularity of online stores. But she said being a woman is not holding her back from any success.

Financing a new business can be tough, but local women have gotten a boost from programs including Main Street Lexington and the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity. Additionally, the Walker Program trains, funds and supports entrepreneurs of color.

Heliotrope Brewery owner Jenefer Davies said owning a business also provides tax benefits and grant opportunities. But she said above all, she appreciates the creative, entrepreneurial and generous spirit that the local woman-owned businesses add to the city.

“We genuinely are each other’s cheerleaders and we love to collaborate. It makes for a wonderful working environment,” she said.