Women-Owned Businesses in Long Beach's Bixby Knolls

Bixby Knolls is a tight-knit Long Beach neighborhood where community pride runs deep and women-owned businesses thrive. From locally inspired fashion and curated boutiques to artisanal cafes, fitness studios and beauty services, the area reflects the diversity and vision of its owners, each bringing a personal touch. Whether it’s handcrafted pastries, Pilates instruction, or bespoke lashes, they’ve created spaces that celebrate creativity, connection and the unique spirit of Bixby Knolls.

FIVE STARR PILATES & FITNESS

Starr Bunch is the owner of Five Starr Pilates & Fitness (3750 Long Beach Blvd, #150). After a 20-year career in early childhood development, she pursued her passion for fitness, training in Pilates in 2011 and teaching since 2012. Since opening the studio in 2013, Starr has offered Pilates reformer classes, indoor cycling and private training in a welcoming, down-to-earth environment. Known for her humor and lighthearted approach, she makes workouts fun while helping students of all levels stay strong, motivated and confident.

LONG BEACH CLOTHING CO.

Since 2003, Long Beach Clothing Co. has celebrated the city by collaborating with local artists and vendors to create Long Beach-branded apparel. Cynthia Moore, who moved to Long Beach to attend CSULB, co-owns the store with her husband Shawn, a lifelong resident. Cynthia says she first fell in love with the city’s diversity, which their brand reflects through new designs every month, aiming to offer something for everyone, just like Long Beach itself. With two retail locations–Bixby Knolls (4218 Atlantic Ave), Belmont Shore (5308 2nd St)–the iconic brand is deeply rooted and easy to find in the community.

LASH BROW AND BEYOND

Georgette Brotherson Hubbard is the owner of Lash, Brow and Beyond (3810 Orange Ave) and her passion for lash and brow services led her to train with some of the leading companies in the field, earning her license in 2015. Georgette offers personalized, professional appointments that prioritize the health of each client’s lashes and brows while delivering beautiful, long-lasting results. Her studio reflects her commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and a relaxing, high-quality beauty experience tailored to every individual.

BETTER HALF BOUTIQUE

Mother and daughter duo Susie Ramirez and Katie Barish opened Better Half Boutique (3803 Atlantic Ave) in 2015 and quickly fell in love with the Bixby Knolls community. The store offers chic women’s clothing, accessories and lifestyle goods, blending casual vibes with urban elegance. Curated for standout pieces and stylish staples, it showcases locally inspired trends with attentive service. Susie and Katie refer to Better Half as a “good time boutique” with every item designed to bring a smile to a customer’s face.

THE MERCHANT

Andrea Gillispe is co-owner and head baker at The Merchant (4121 Long Beach Blvd), a neighborhood-focused bakery and cafe in Bixby Knolls. Opened in 2017 with her husband Mike, Andrea creates all the handcrafted pastries while Mike oversees daily operations. A trained baker, she is known for her artisanal approach and locally inspired menu, which pairs perfectly with the café’s seasonal coffees. Andrea and Mike also restored a vintage trolley, christening it the “S.S. Minnow” and utilizing it to serve food, adding a playful, community-centered touch to their welcoming cafe experience.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.