spreading the joya
A locally based business has found its place on a larger retail stage. The JOYA jewelry brand recently launched an exclusive collection with Nordstrom and can be found at several retailers and boutiques around the country. JOYA was founded in 2015 with a ‘by women, for women’ platform. Its handmade pieces are designed and shipped from its St. Louis studio, and a portion of every sale is donated to women’s charities around the world.
market movement
St. Louis-based Soft Surroundings, a women’s lifestyle brand, is opening a new location in Cincinnati in November. The company sells clothing, home and beauty products and plans to open 16 new stores this year.
country retreat
Ces & Judy’s Catering, owned by Cecily Hoffius and July Bellos, has opened a new event space in Catawissa, Missouri, about 15 minutes outside of Eureka. The Venue at Maison du Lac, a 7,000-square-foot property, sits on 25 acres and can be used for weddings, corporate gatherings and other events for up to 300 guests.
fitness finesse
Wellbridge has debuted its new, upscale fitness facility on the Centene campus in Clayton. In addition to all of the latest equipment, it features amenities like onsite childcare, an Energy Bar for smoothies and healthy snacks, saunas and more in addition to its variety of exercise classes and equipment. Wellbridge has 19 gyms around the country.
floor display
Zee Bee Market in Maplewood is hosting its first Fair Trade Rug Event Oct. 18- 21, with more than 300 hand-knotted Bunyaad rugs available for purchase. Each rug is handmade and dyed in Pakistan, with no child labor involved. Zee Bee also will hold a ‘From Loom to Living Room’ seminar, also at the Maplewood store, at 6 p.m. Oct. 18.
back to her roost
St. Louis native Lori Samuels has moved her luxury women’s accessory line, OneOddBird, back home. Founded in California, products include handmade wallets, handbags, backpacks, phone accessories and keychains, and a portion of proceeds from every sale benefits autism research through The Help Group and UCLA’s Autism Research Alliance. Pieces are available at oneoddbird.com and select boutiques around town.