Celebrating the Achievements of Tucson’s Trail-Blazing Women Business Owners

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the vital role women have played throughout American history, as well as the role they continue to play today. 

For women throughout Tucson’s history, business ownership has been about more than ‌making a livelihood; it has been about fostering community and creating a legacy of empowerment and inspiration. This Women’s History Month, Local First Arizona shines a light on two of our women-owned member businesses that have been making an impact on our city for more than 50 years. 

Two generations at the current Antigone counter: Kate and Trudy in 1995; Kate, Morgan and Melissa in 2018

Antigone Books. Founded in 1973, Antigone Books has been at the heart of Tucson’s Historic Fourth Avenue, serving as a Tucson feminist landmark and a cornerstone of its literary scene for over 50 years. Named for Sophocles' heroic character, Antigone — a symbol of female strength known for defying the laws of the king to stand by her morals, the store initially specialized in feminist, non-sexist and children's books. 

Over the years, as Antigone’s ownership has passed down through a series of women committed to its legacy, the store has evolved, expanding offerings to include a variety of book genres, as well as gifts and cards, while remaining true to its feminist roots. 

In 2018, when co-owners Trudy Mills and Kate Randall announced their retirements, longtime employees Morgan Miller, Melissa Negelspach and Kate Stern stepped up. With the help of a crowdfunding campaign, the three were able to buy the business and leased the Fourth Avenue building from Mills and Randall.

In 2024, upon Antigone being named a Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year finalist, Negelspach stated “I’m proud of the changes we’ve made, but also of what we’ve kept the same” in Antigone’s latest iteration. Adding that she’s “gratified to be among the lineage of women who’ve kept the store going for the past 50 years.”

(left to right) Buffalo Exchange’s Rebecca Block, CEO and Kerstin Block, founder

Buffalo Exchange. In 1974, when Kerstin Block first had the idea for a “different sort of secondhand shop,” she never expected it to grow into what it is today – she just followed her love of thrift store shopping. Enter a whole new business model – a resale shop where customers could buy hand-picked treasures in one place and also sell their clothes for trade or cash on-the-spot. 

Giving high-quality and one-of-a-kind fashion pieces a second chance at life while offering customers a sustainable and affordable fashion option proved to be a wildly successful business model. The brand will mark its 51st anniversary on March 14, and boasts over 40 locations throughout the U.S.

Kerstin retired from Buffalo Exchange in 2024, with daughter Rebecca Block taking over as C.E.O. Despite the phenomenal growth and expansion achieved during her time at the helm, Kerstin gauges the company’s success by a different metric. “What I’m most proud of,” she states on the Buffalo Exchange website, “is how much we’ve been able to empower people – especially women. That and the clothes. It’s always been about the clothes.” 

This Women’s History Month, honor the women trailblazers of the past by supporting today’s women entrepreneurs.