Person Shopping in a Record Store

Stellar Black-owned businesses in Atlanta to shop, eat, and try in 2024

Support our city’s most distinctive Black-owned businesses this year.

Atlanta has always paved the way for showcasing and celebrating Black culture and achievement. We are fortunate to boast a plethora of Black-owned enterprises spanning various categories, including charming boutiques, standout restaurants, upscale spas, and lively entertainment venues. This Black History Month (or any time of year, really), be sure to support these distinctive Black-owned businesses that contribute to the vibrancy of our fabulous city.

Boutiques

Often found at pop-ups on the Beltline near Ponce City Market, Kamawe sells all-gender (and totally unique) brass and copper jewelry. There’s a great selection of bold architectural pieces as well as many understated—but still eye-catching—options. Inspired by the founding husband and wife duo’s trips to Nairobi, Kenya, each piece is handmade by Kenyan artisans with skill and quality. 

Souk Bohemian is located in Ponce City Market and features a unique aesthetic influenced by world travel and exploration. Started by two best friends, the store is full of moody yet minimal clothing and accessories, transportive coffee table books, and items focused on mindful living, self-care, and culture. 

The Village Retail is essentially a store made up of stores. Also located in Ponce City Market, the bazaar-style shop is made up of dozens of brands that sell Black-owned clothing, beauty products, accessories, home decor, and health and wellness items. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for all of your Black-owned needs.   

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Restaurants 

Embodying the best of Southern cuisine since 1947, Busy Bee Cafe has a beautiful story with dishes and flavors to match. Serving classic down-south delicacies like chicken and waffles, fried chicken, fried catfish, baked mac and cheese, collared greens, and more, this community-supporting Atlanta staple has never tasted more authentic.

Specializing in raw vegan cuisine, Tassili’s Raw Reality is best known for its hearty, healthy, colorful kale wraps. They also have raw vegan desserts, juices, and snacks. A staple in the West End, Tassili’s does an amazing job of convincing skeptics that raw vegan meals can be absolutely delicious. 

Wellness 

Take care of your body and mind at The Wellness Spot in East Point. The fitness and day spa offers Barre, Yoga, HIIT, and dance fitness classes to get active. For relaxation-seekers, they offer facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures for men and women (ask about their packages and private events!). Whether you’re popping in for a class or treating yourself to a beauty treatment, you’re sure to leave rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed. 

Inspired by nostalgia and storytelling, Windy City Scents is a luxury candle and fragrance company. With scents like Bergamot + Matcha, Birch + Black Pepper, Persimmon + Lemongrass, and more—their hand-poured, natural candles and room sprays are the perfect way to set the tone in the home or give as a gift to share an elevated aromatic experience. Order online or stop by The Village Retail to check them out.

If you’re in the mood to move your body, ATL Kula in Atlantic Station is a Black-owned wellness studio featuring Yoga, Pilates, Barre, and Tai Chi classes. They focus on bringing awareness and respect to movement practices from all over the world for holistic health. 

Coffee/Tea Shops 

Established as a premium roaster among its peers, Portrait Coffee’s new location in the Historic West End honors the legacy of coffee and community. Not only is their coffee delicious, but the shop is a great place to hang out, chat with a friend, and get in tune with the neighborhood.  

Just Add Honey, with locations along the Beltline in Old Fourth Ward and the historic Sweet Auburn Market, is a locally-owned tea shop that offers a home-like feel. Their unique loose-leaf tea blends are great to enjoy hot or iced in-store, brewed at home, or as a gift to a loved one.  

Essentials 

Sevananda: Natural Foods Market is a Black-owned cooperative grocery store located in Little Five Points. Like most grocery stores, it’s full of fresh produce and grocery items, although Sevananda has more of a holistic, healthy spin with an expanded section of vitamins, teas, and tinctures, plus bulk grains and dried herbs and fruit. They also have a hot bar and a to-go food section with yummy vegetarian and vegan options.

True Laundry is a locally-owned laundry detergent and fabric softener vendor based in Atlanta. It’s a great alternative to the big-box companies and offers products for sensitive skin. Order online or find their products in Sevananda. 

Music and Entertainment 

Little Five Points wouldn’t be the same without Moods Music and Bookshop. Full of records and CDs, the music shop and bookstore have nostalgic cultural tunes and collections to buy and cherish. The L5P staple is small but mighty and always feels like a warm hug as you walk in, ready to explore the record bins and shelves with locally-made gifts.

If you’re feeling grown-up and have sexy vibes, TEN ATL is the place to be. Located on Flat Shoals Ave in East Atlanta Village, this hotspot features local and traveling musicians and offers a full bar. The intimate lounge doesn’t have many seats, so be sure to reserve a spot, especially for Monday Night Jazz.

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Plated coq au vin on a fancy place setting

The 8 best Black-owned restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements of local chefs and entrepreneurs who enrich the Dallas culinary scene for all.

Dallas has always boasted a rich and diverse food scene, with a seemingly endless supply of talented chefs and not-to-be-missed hotspots. Since Black History Month is upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore some of the very best Black-owned restaurants Dallas has to offer. From soulful comfort food to innovative fusion cuisine, these exceptional establishments (and the entrepreneurs behind them) are a celebration of flavor and culture.

Bam’s Vegan

2301 N O’Connor Rd, Irving, TX 75062

Located just west of Dallas and fueled with flavor, Bam’s Vegan offers an array of plant-based plates and beverages. The once humble food shack at the Dallas Farmers Market has expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant with a menu featuring plant-based nachos, smoothies, burgers, lasagna, and more. Owner and chef Brandon Waller has proven that it is possible to create high-quality vegan dishes that are both appetizing and accessible. 

Bottled in Bond | Frisco

5285 Dallas Pkwy Ste 420, Frisco, TX 75034

Visit Bottled in Bond for upscale charm and an American menu with Southern and Caribbean influences. Sample dishes like salmon fritters, scallion and cheddar potato beignets, and herbed panko-crusted cod, or indulge in toffee bread pudding paired with a whiskey flight. Check out the menu and plan your visit during happy hour for $7 vintage cocktails, wine, and bites. If you prefer late-night vibes, venture into their speakeasy, The Parlour, offering small plates and seasonal drinks. The Parlour welcomes guests until midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays and until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Kessler Baking Studio

1129 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

Don’t miss Kessler Baking Studio, a not-so-hidden gem near the Bishop Arts District. Indulge your cravings for both sweet and savory treats with expertly crafted, made-from-scratch baked goods from Clyde Greenhouse, a 2020 James Beard Nominee for Outstanding Baker. Try the signature Texas Pecan Shortbread Cookies, the popular Kessler Cinnamon Rolls, or the tempting Kesslerdoodle. For those looking to share the goodness with a loved one outside of Dallas, you’re in luck. Select baked goods are available for nationwide shipping and delivery. 

Krab Kingz 

917 North Hampton Road Ste 101, Desoto, TX 75115

Just south of Dallas, the lively Krab Kingz offers fresh seafood and authentic Cajun cuisine. Snow crab, fried catfish, oysters, and stuffed shrimp are just a few options you’ll find on the menu, along with well-seasoned seafood boils. They also have a hookah bar full of fruity flavors and lots of signature cocktail offerings. Check out their weekly food and drink specials before heading that way. 

Pangea

6309 N President George Bush Hwy Ste 8101, Garland, TX 75044

Chef Kev Ashade has mastered the art of true global fusion. Pangea Dallas offers diverse flavors with an elevated aesthetic for both brunch and dinner, with options like brulee French toast, birria eggs Benedict, and jerk-roasted lamb shank. Fun fact: French-trained Chef Kev was featured on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” where he won with the dish “Have Merci,” a delicious braised coq au vin that you can try for yourself when you go.

Reggae Jerk Hut

7001 S Custer Rd Ste 600, McKinney, TX 75070

Reggae Jerk Hut is the first restaurant in McKinney to serve authentic Jamaican cuisine accompanied by a variety of island-inspired cocktails. Your tastebuds will transport you to the islands with dishes like oxtail or curry goat with rice and peas, red snapper, and conch fritters that are cooked to perfection. They also have imported Caribbean beverages like Tropical Rhythms fruit punch and sorrel ginger juice on the menu.

Roots Chicken Shak

7800 Windrose Ave, Plano, TX 75024

Located in Legacy Food Hall and famous for their duck-fat fried chicken, Roots Chicken Shak is a must-try. Their made-from-scratch menu includes good old-fashioned Southern offerings like duck-fat fried chicken wings, creamy banana pudding, and the perfect Southern-style Kool-Aid that will flood nostalgic memories and bring a smile to your face. Roots Chicken Shak is run by Chef Tiffany Derry from Food Network and is a sister restaurant to Roots Southern Table. 

Smokey John’s

1820 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75235

Just minutes from Love Field Airport, the aroma of mouthwatering barbecue from Smokey John’s BBQ greets you before you even arrive. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of juicy, tender cuts of meat, including brisket, smoked chicken, ham, and turkey, all ready to be devoured. On the side, enjoy flavorful staples like candied sweet potatoes and mac ‘n cheese. And for those with a sweet tooth, be sure to save room for the renowned Butter Bomb Cake. 

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the dining landscape in Dallas is serving up a feast of flavors through its outstanding Black-owned restaurants. Celebrate diversity and entrepreneurship within the DFW community while treating yourself to a remarkable culinary experience.

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Clothing and dresser in the corner of a thrift store

7 local thrift shops in Phoenix with consistently good selections

Where to score secondhand deals in Phoenix.

Discover Phoenix’s thrifting scene, where affordable and sustainable finds come together. Beyond adding to the city’s charm, these thrift shops in Phoenix, Arizona double as community hubs that foster engagement, all while promoting eco-friendly fashion. Whether you’re on a budget or seeking a one-of-a-kind treasure, these Valley thrift stores offer value that extends beyond the price tag.

Thrift shop floor with a china cabinet, chair, and more

HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique 

Secondhand art, home decor items, knick-knacks, and clothing are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique. Style-savvy shoppers will appreciate that a large number of the donations to HALO’s Thrift Boutique are from High Society Resale Boutique and Stevan’s Consignment. The thrift shop also accepts donations from the public, too. Proceeds from the HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique directly benefit HALO programs and animals in need of support, food, and shelter.  

White Dove Thrift Shoppe

With multiple locations across The Valley, from Midtown to Mesa and from Glendale to Scottsdale, and new items arriving daily, your next thrifting adventure is right around the corner. This Phoenix thrift store is famous for its sales and recurring discount days. Here, you’re shopping for a cause, as White Dove Thrift Shoppe benefits Arizona’s Hospice of the Valley and its local programs and services. Plus, any items that don’t sell at White Dove are donated to other local charities, not sent to a landfill. Whether you’re hunting for electronics, jewelry, kitchen items, or clothing, there’s a good chance you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here.

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Assortment of vases and glasses in a thrift store window

PAC911 Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique 

If you’ve got a soft spot in your heart for animals and an eye for style, Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique in Phoenix is the thrift shop you’ve been searching for. Rescued Treasures is styled like a gift shop, and it’s full of seasonal and holiday goods as well as a variety of apparel and accessories, home furnishings, pet items, and animal-themed books. Benefiting the work of the PAC911 animal welfare community, each Rescued Treasures purchase directly supports the medical fund that provides life-saving services to homeless dogs and cats throughout the county.

Maggie’s Thrift 

Scoring a deal feels good. Knowing that your thrift score benefits local programs feels even better. Sales from Maggie’s Thrift directly benefit the programs of Maggie’s Place, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that offers direct support services, housing, classes, and workforce programs to local moms experiencing hardship. The cozy but curated Phoenix thrift store is stocked with men’s and women’s clothing, books, kitchen items, coats, purses, kids’ clothes, and more. Maggie’s accepts donations from the public and even diverts some donations from the thrift store to homes in the program, giving gently used secondhand items a second life. 

Arizona Humane Society Thrift Stores

If you’re looking for a large selection of items, visit Arizona Humane Society Thrift Stores, located in Cave Creek and Mesa. Each store stocks donated goods that range from pet accessories and gently used furniture to shoes and apparel for the entire family. Most clothing items are marked under $5, and the stores are very well organized and easy to shop. The AHS thrift stores are always accepting donated items from their approved donation list. And, if you have a large item to donate, like dressers or dining sets, AHS will pick it up for you. Your donations and purchases help support the critical work of the Arizona Humane Society. 

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores 

The Salvation Army provides critical services to the local Phoenix community, including assistance for those experiencing homelessness, recovery programs, and support for individuals and families. Their eight Valley thrift stores play a vital role in supporting these services by offering affordable, lightly-used clothing, donated furniture, and unique household items to secondhand shoppers looking to score a deal. Thanks to the variety of locations, it’s easy to find a store close by. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Thrift Shop

You can find vintage treasures and designer labels at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Thrift Shop. Thrifty shoppers say this is one of the best places to find secondhand gems in the Valley. The Scottsdale thrift shop restocks its store daily with everything from sports equipment to fine china. Additionally, the Boys & Girls Clubs Thrift Shop accepts donations six days a week, and proceeds benefit the organization’s youth programming across the Valley’s communities. 

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