Business Boom

Tucker is undoubtedly one of the fastest-rising business destinations in the Metro Atlanta area.  Each month, the Business Boom will seek to show different examples of how Tucker’s business scene is flourishing. This month's column is written by our Economic Development Manager, Jackie Moffo.

The Women-Owned Businesses of Main Street

Every year the City of Tucker takes time to reflect on and honor Women’s History Month by learning more about the women-owned businesses that call Tucker home.

This year we are highlighting some of the newest women-owned businesses of Tucker’s Main Street! Tucker is proud to share that Main Street currently boasts seven women-owned businesses ranging from events centers, retail, and pet services to bakeries and wine shops.

Cakes Castle, located at 2319 Main Street, opened its doors in November 2022. Owned and operated by Patricia Martin, it is an international bakery specializing in creating different cakes from countries around the world. With humble beginnings as a home-based business, Patricia decided to look at opportunities closer to home and fell in love with the energy and community of Tucker’s Main Street. “I’ve always liked Tucker, I felt a sense of community here. The businesses on Main Street seemed to work together and support each other.”

Cakes Castle specializes in connecting people with their native desserts and bringing tastes from home. Something that Patricia is passionate about as an immigrant from the Bahamas. Patricia’s history has greatly influenced her path to today, “even as a child I would always make and sell stuff, so I knew entrepreneurship was in my blood. Growing up I remember watching my mother having several businesses – that really inspired me.” As a woman-owned business, Patricia has gained specific skills that have helped her through the tough times, sharing “as women, we have a lot of other ‘stuff’ that goes on with us – we are mothers, wives, aunties, confidants, all these things we must deal with and still run our businesses. These challenges teach us perseverance, and that the buck stops with us.” For new entrepreneurs or women-owned businesses Patricia has these words of wisdom, “don’t get discouraged. You will have people who will try to compare you to others and be ‘nay-sayers’, but you must push through and be true to yourself, and your dreams.”

Munster Cravings may be new, but owner Veronica Dalzon is not a new member of our community! Veronica is a Tucker resident “since forever” and is an alumnus of Henderson Elementary and Smoke Rise Middle Schools. She started Munster Cravings in 2019 at the Tucker Chili Cook-Off. Serendipitously, where her booth was then is now directly in front of her Main Street location today! “For me this is a full circle moment because I’m back in the space I want to be – I have always envisioned having my business in Tucker.”

Veronica is self-taught, and her Munster Cravings specializes in handcrafted, from scratch, gourmet cookies. Opening her first location at the height of the pandemic has been Veronica’s largest entrepreneurial challenge so far. To get through the hard times, Veronica shared some words of wisdom from her lead baker Cassie, “you’ll never have to live this day again. Meaning, this might be the worst day you ever have but you’ll never have to live it again – I keep that in the back of my mind and just keep pushing forward.”

Tucker’s newest wine shop and gift boutique, Wine & Whimseys promises a “collection of unique wines & finds” and we believe you will not be disappointed! Owner Bridget Elliot brings decades of wine industry experience and a tradition of women-owned entrepreneurship.  “I grew up in an Italian family-owned restaurant, that my grandmother started 96 years ago and my mother still runs today.” Bridget pulls from a lifetime of experiences. As her career in wine progressed, she was introduced to wine shops that focused on “the experience”, shops that created a no-judgment place to focus on education as a part of the overall experience.

In a male-dominated industry, Bridget faced challenges that contrasted with what she experienced growing up but helped “toughen her up” and gave her the skills and fortitude to become her own entrepreneur. “It’s all about mental toughness and self-talk,” she said. “Surround yourself with the ‘best of the best’ and let your team’s ‘awesome’ rub off on you.” For others thinking about what is next for them, “a dream delayed is still a dream realized, and still can be a dream fulfilled, it is never too late.” In her shop, she buys and inventories products to support women-owned businesses and women of color. Bridget shared that some exciting new things coming to Wine & Whimsey soon, including delivery, wine classes, and more!

Please continue to support them and the other women-owned businesses of Main Street, shared below, and throughout our community!