It’s time we see our neighborhoods through different eyes. Just as much as we feel a certain smugness to bypass the Starbucks and use our dollars to support independent coffee chains, or when we decide to take the time to search for a product at local shops instead of letting Jeff Bezos gain from our need for near-instant gratification, now is the time to prioritize supporting black-owned businesses in your neighborhood and throughout the borough.
According to @15percentpledge, 21% of black-owned businesses have predicted that they will not be able to survive the pandemic, when just 5% of white-owned businesses don’t think they’ll be able to stay afloat. Beyond the disproportionate way that this virus is ravaging the African-American community, their businesses need our support more than ever. Check my ongoing list of black-owned businesses below. Take a bike ride to another neighborhood. Explore the amazing entrepreneurs and their ideas that became brick-and-mortar spaces that make this city what it is. And make sure it will stay that way when the pandemic ends and we vote for leaders and legislation that will change the inequalities in our city and society.
For more amazing resources, check out the stories and profiles on Black-Owned Brooklyn and this super extensive list from Brooklyn Mavens.
Williamsburg + Greenpoint
Brother Vellie’s – Shoes and accessories, handcrafted in Brooklyn. @brothervellies
Celsious – modern, eco-conscious Laundromat – eco-friendly and hip laundromat (in other words, this is the place you’ll likely finally have that laundromat city romance start) celsious.com
Williamsburg Music Center – amazing jazz club that feels like old New York again. wmcjazz.com
Stuart Cinema – charming little cinema and cafe, on West! @stuartcinema
Action Burger – @action_burger
Taste of Heaven – BBQ, maybe from heaven.
Branch Patty – at Artists and Fleas, but for now, delivery! @branchpattyny
Bushwick
Bushwick Grind – the best way to beat the grind. @bushwickgrind
Papa Rozier Farms – all-natural beauty products, from Haiti to Brooklyn @paparozier
Brooklyn Blooms – floral shop, with delivery to brighten your quarantine space. @brooklynbloomsnyc
Sally Roots – @sallyroots
Bunna Cafe – The best damn Eithiopian I’ve found in this city, @bunnacafe
28 Scott Vintage – @28scottvintage in Bushwick – include quote/photo from owner
Bunton’s World Famous – where to see and be seen yet feel right at home. @buntonsworldfamous
Ethel’s Club – a private club and network for people of color. @ethelsclub
Crown Heights
The Bergen – Seafood, burgers, wings – plus the owner survived COVID-19 thebergenbk.com
Ras Plant Based – organic vegan Ethiopian Eatery @rasplantbased
Black Nile Seafood & Soul Food – @blacknilerestaurant
Nurish Cafe– vegetarian and vegan-friendly food inspired by West African cuisine nurishbk.com
Ital Kitchen – all-natural Caribbean classic fare @italkitchenbk
Bleu Fin Bar & Grill – @bleufinbargrill
Brooklyn Suya – brooklynsuya.com
Cafe Rue Dix – French-Senagalese cuisine @caferuedix
The Crabby Shack – where getting crabs is fun again! thecrabbyshack.com
Prospect Heights
BCakeNY – detailed custom cakes! @BCakeNY
Cheryl’s Global Soul – @cherylsglobalsoul
333 Lounge – @333.lounge
Cheryl’s Global Soul – Comfort food from around the world. @cherylsglobalsoul
Natural Blend – @naturalblend
Ode to Babel – Amazing cocktails, delivered @odetobabel
Fort Greene
DanceAfrica, part of BAM Brooklyn since 1977 #BAMDanceAfrica
Bati Ethiopian Kitchen – batikitchen.com
Imani Caribbean Kitchen– go for the family meal, for 4, then find 3 friends… or, don’t. @imani_bk
Peaches Hot House – Their second location, still easily the best southern food I’ve had this far north. @peacheshothouse
Bed-Stuy
Cafe on Ralph – @cafeonralphave tropical vibes from st. Lucia, feels like a vacation
Happy Cork Wine & Spirits – @happycorkbrooklyn
Make Manifest Community Space – Retail, Co-Working, Co-Creating, Creative Hub – @makemanifestbk
Spiked Spin– Hip-hop cycling puts Soul Cycle to shame. @spikedspin
Peaches Hot House – easily the best southern food I’ve had this far north. @peacheshothouse
Cake Boi – @cakeboishop
Bed Vyne Wines and Cocktails – Bottle Shop and Cocktail Bar @bedvyne
Brooklyn Blooms – fresh flowers tdelivered to brighten up your quarantine space. @brooklynbloomsnyc
Park Slope
Bk9 Restaurant – Food from Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti @bk9restaurant
Bleachers Sports Bar – until we have sports again, let’s at least have burgers, beers, and wings @240bleachers
Negril Brooklyn– curry goat and rum punch are actually a match made in heaven @negrilbk
Sugarcane – sugarcanerestaurant.com
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Palooza Kitchen – Caribbean food and stews – “With each bite, you will experience a kind of sinking in, as if you were the one yielding to the dish.” paloozakitchen.com
De Hot Pot – Trinidad spot! theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/de-hot-pot
Mangoseed– Caribbean and wood-fired pizzas @mangoseedbklyn
& Sons – IT’S A HAM BAR and my new favorite spot in the borough. Get some charcuterie and cheese and wine and head to the park. https://andsonsnyc.com/
Daleview Biscuits & Beer – plus fried chicken and waffles biscuitsandbeer.nyc
East Flatbush
Footprints Cafe – Afootprintscafe
Suede – Rum punch and Caribbean food @suedenyc
And outside of Brooklyn…
For inspiration outside the borough, seek out @cardsbyde to make some beautiful sense out of all of this.
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