“Women like to be close,” said Jo of our Mother’s Day makeover at 9th and 9th — a makeover of the front room, that is. Earlier this month, what’s been lovingly referred to as the “living room” (did you know our flagship store used to be a home?) became the locale for a celebration of the women — and their mothers — who make H&H thrive.
Sheridan fretted over space once everyone was seated at the flower-laden brunch, but Jo’s thoughts on female community calmed nerves: “Close, cozy spaces let us talk and laugh with each other better. Oh, and they let us cry, too. A little cry with women is always good.” At brunch, tears welled over all the ways the word “feminist” connotes community, celebration, support and education.
Hip & Humble employees are largely young women; many are students. When Sheridan learned that several weren’t familiar with the term “glass ceiling,” and all of the ways she wants to help them shatter the thing, she took time before brunch to speak passionately, to educate our staff, about “what it means to be a feminist at H&H” — a concept that's been weighing on her mind, especially over the last few years. What it comes down to, really, is seeing, hearing and valuing each other.
We see the women who are mothers with careers; they stop in for baby shower gifts post-work and pre-dinner, kids in tow. We listen to the women who find refuge here; they walk through our doors to celebrate newly finalized divorces. We value the women who seek strength in our faces and our shelves; they come for self-care after chemotherapy sessions.
Gayla Gallagher, beloved H&H supporter and top client, is all three of these women. We were so lucky to host her for this Mother’s Day brunch and to hear more of her glass ceiling-challenging story: through divorce, endless rounds of chemotherapy, electing a double mastectomy, single mothering and successful career-building (in an industry that is traditionally male-dominated, no less), our cozy brunch guests left feeling heartened by Gayla’s presence. 
When we see, hear and value each other, small businesses like Hip & Humble not only become influential catalysts for thriving retail communities, they add vibrancy and safety to our local neighborhoods. In turn, these supportive spaces provide platforms to build relationships like those they first inspired: close ones; friendships where you can cry together over glass ceilings and pink doughnuts. 
In our case, Banbury Cross doughnuts were complemented by three types of quiche from Carlucci’s Bakery, a few salads from our friends at Bountiful’s Plates and Palates, and a slew of croissants from Les Madeleines — all local favorites and very much recommended. (Hint: learn more about the stylish chocolate bars on our plates here.)
Once we put the front room at 9th and 9th back together, we pulled these spring finds and Mother’s Day gifts for all the nurturing humans in your life. Shop online or in stores at our SLC and Bountiful locations, and happy Mother's Day from all of us at Hip & Humble! 