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HomeLocal NewsTrailblazing Success: Champaign County's First Female-Owned Business Overcomes Early Hurdles to Thrive

Trailblazing Success: Champaign County’s First Female-Owned Business Overcomes Early Hurdles to Thrive

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — While cruising down Prospect Avenue in Champaign, you might encounter a landmark business with a notable distinction: it is the first company founded by a woman in Champaign County.

Established in the 1950s, Art Mart emerged at a time when female entrepreneurship in Illinois was rare, with only one other similar venture in the state. Over the years, it has become a cherished part of the local landscape, moving across various locations within the community.

Art Mart began its journey in a building nestled between Fifth and Sixth Streets. It later moved to Green Street, then settled in Lincoln Square Mall, and has now found its home on Prospect Avenue. Throughout these transitions, the dedication to the business has remained steadfast.

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