FERGUSON, Mo. — Over the past few years, more and more stores have opened up shop in the heart of Ferguson.
The city has seen so much growth, but it hasn't always been like that.
Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones said South Florissant Road used to be a "mess."
"Right now, prosperity is all over Ferguson, and I'm excited about it," Jones said. "When you go down South Florissant Road, you see Yummie's, the Hive and Cathy's Kitchen; Elicious is new."
Jones told 5 On Your Side that 19 new businesses have opened on South Florissant Road in the last two years.
At the beginning of January, Juanita Thompson opened two businesses, Yummie Nutrition and Blend Boutique.
"The community has definitely come out; my grand opening was amazing. It was packed in here," Thompson said.
As a Black female business owner, Thompson wants to set an example for others.
"I'm proud to be Black. I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be able to show women that we can do it. We can have whatever we want if we work hard and stay dedicated because it takes some patience and dedication," Thompson said.
She runs a health and wellness business, the only kind like it in Ferguson, that serves a variety of healthy beverages.
"It's a big stigma that healthy isn't good. So I'm trying to blend the two, make everybody happy, get healthy," Thompson said.
You can sip on a drink while shopping in her boutique, which has a little something for everyone, including T-shirts dedicated to Black History Month.
Businesses are booming so much in Ferguson that only a few vacancies are left in the city.
"It speaks volumes that we are doing what it takes to attract businesses here in Ferguson, retain the businesses here in Ferguson," Jones said.
Jones and Thompson want to remind people to support local because that keeps the businesses alive in north St. Louis County.
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