HILLSBOROUGH - Evelyn Lloyd remembers having to work in the back room at James Pharmacy because male customers thought it was OK to put their hands on her - even with her father working there as well.

"Now it's against the law, then it was not," said Lloyd, who went on to open her own drug store on King Street some 25 years ago. "It was so annoying."

For a long time, Lloyd, 67, had little company among business owners. She was certainly the first female pharmacist the town had ever seen.

Nowadays, if you walk into a downtown business you're likely to find a woman not only working up front, but owning the store as well.

According to tax records, more than half the town's businesses are owned by women: 26 of 40. Many more are operated by women.

"There has probably been a long tradition of strong women business owners in Hillsborough, but one thing that we've seen in the past five years is more shops and restaurants and services," said Elizabeth Read of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. "Those have tended to trend female-owned."

Within the last decade, many storefronts have changed from county offices, law firms and the like to more casual, retail stores. Salons, jewelry stores, craft shops and design firms. have all found success.

A lot if has to do with how Hillsborough works as a town, said Margaret Cannell, executive director of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. The offices that became available in recent years were well suited for shops and restaurants due to their size and location.

But she also thinks there's something about the way women do things that has helped these businesses thrive.

"If you're on a board of directors and most of them are women, you know that something's going to happen," Cannell said.

Anne Derby was not necessarily inspired by other women merchants to open Hillsborough Yarn. Knitting is a life passion and, with her children grown, the biomedical engineer was able to step back from that career and launch a new endeavor. She recently celebrated the shop's third anniversary.

But she's aware of how special it is to be a part of a business district rich with female influence. "There's a synergy of having this core group here," she said.

She hesitates to stereotype, but she says there is something to be said about women and nurturing - that skill comes in handy in business.

"It's all about customer service," she said.

Some say the shift in stores has also led to more women being downtown compared to when farmers and field hands frequented Churton Street. There are even special promotions such as Thursday's "Ladies Night Out."

The number of woman-owned businesses makes these events particularly successful, Read said. Women really do know what women want.

"Women tend to be mission oriented, and Hillsborough has somehow been able to retain in their downtown both convenience and getting your errands done with some sense of fun," Read said.

The influx of artists has contributed to the new vibe. Though some things never change - Dual Supply & Co., a hardware store that's been around generations, is still going strong and many a flatbed rumbles by throughout the day - Hillsborough is now home to a number of jewelry designers, an art gallery and artist co-op.

Melissa Booth opened Melissa Designer Jewelry eight years ago. She saw women having success but was more intrigued by the atmosphere the downtown offered.

"It had this community feeling to it," she said. "It's really just a great feeling to be here."

Mayor Tom Stevens said the growth of women shopkeepers reflects the times and community's values. Hillsborough is known for its inclusive nature and support of independent businesses, he said.

"Isn't the 21^st century terrific?" he said. "Thank you, Title IX."

Still, Hillsborough has not met its saturation point regarding retail, or stores that appeal to women.

"I wish there would be a nice clothing store here," Lloyd said. "A nice clothing store for women."