Renaissance SEPT 2026

10 - THE SOULARD RENAISSANCE - SEPTEMBER 2026 The Historic Soulard Farmer’s Market will host a Founder’s Day Bluegrass Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 to celebrate the 97th anniversary of its Grand Hall. While the grounds have served as an open-air market since 1779, it was not until 1929 that the cur- rent Renaissance-style Grand Hall was built. There is no better way to celebrate this anniversary than to honor the true Founder of the Market, Maria Julia Cerré Soulard. It is because of a woman that the public market still exists to this day. After a long fight with the federal government, which led Julia all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States, she finally se- cured title to her own property. In 1841, she deeded two city blocks to the City of St. Louis “provided that it shall be used for a market house and no other pur- TODAY’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS: From left to right top: Jennifer Coke (Mor- gan Ford Massage & Spa), Mari Williams (Pieces), Margie Drury (Historic Crossroads), Julie Price (Star Agency), Allyson Whipple (The Corner Reform- er), Nadine Soaib (Nadine’s Hash House), Kristin Fonseca (Jack Nolen’s), Ma- rybeth Wallace (Realty Executives), Kate Webster (Hi-Hat), Richelle Davidson (Eat Crow), Ginger Humphrey (Soulard’s Cajun Corner), Stacy Shafman (Fur Real K9s). From left to right bottom: Laura Leister (Pieces, Protagonist & Antagonist Ca- fés), Violet Deardorff (Protagonist & Antagonist Cafés), Kinsey Ratzman (Clem & Co), Eliza Coriell (Eat Crow), Megan Marcallini (Bogart’s Smokehouse), Melissa Jokuti (Soulard’s Cajun Corner), Rebecca Lykins (Grateful Pets) Not pictured: Alex Pifer & Payton Cozzoni (Baked & Boiled Bagels), Megan Arnotti (Island Life), Jennifer Hughey (Goshen Coffee), Kelly Butler (Medusa’s Salon), Niki Puto & Serene Doegler (Bogart’s Smokehouse), Susan Seubert (Adventures of Intrigue), Claire Capelli (Clem & Co), Dr. Imani Robinson (Love in Action, Inc.) and Madeline Galla (9th Street Abbey). Julia’s Additions: Soulard’s Women in Business By Laura Leister Jim Lettau photo pose.” Julia was a visionary far ahead of her time, willing to fight the government for what was rightfully hers, and became the first female real estate developer west of the Mississippi. Julia believed in the value of small business owners and endowed them with a space where they could thrive in perpetuity. Through the decades, the success of the Farmer’s Market has radiated outward, creating additional opportunities for commerce fromNorth to South Soulard. In recognition of the Market’s matri- arch, the Soulard Business Association invited all of the inspiring women who currently run businesses in the neigh- borhood to meet at the Grand Hall for a powerhouse picture. They proudly hold the torch Julia lit, share in her strong entrepreneurial spirit, and continue to build a community in the neighborhood that carries her last name.