31 black-owned shops, restaurants and studios 20 minutes from Uptown - CharlotteFive
31 black-owned shops, restaurants and studios 20 minutes from Uptown
By
Beth Castle
-
March 19, 2019
Curio Craft and Conjure co-owner Gina Spriggs" class="td-modal-image">
Photo by Alex Cason Photography
Curio Craft and Conjure co-owner Gina Spriggs
Nationally, black-owned businesses average $58,000 a year, compared with $546,000 earned by white-owned businesses, according to a 2017 report by
Prosperity Now. A 2018
survey showed that even while their businesses were profitable, challenges remain related to the operation of black-owned businesses. In Forbes’ annual list of worldwide billionaires published earlier this month,
just four out of 607 Americans were black.
Yet, on a local level, the directory for the
Charlotte Black Chamber of Commerce receives about 15,000 page views a day, which is how Shanté Williams, chairperson of the CBCC board of directors, knows the Queen City wants to engage with black-owned businesses. “The first thing we’re always trying to tackle is awareness,” she said. “Where can we create a repository so people can find them easily?”
To help facilitate that much-needed awareness, CharlotteFive pulled together a list of restaurants, bars and shops owned by members of Charlotte’s black community. Of the estimated 13,000 businesses in this city, we highlight 31 brick-and-mortar locations within 20 minutes of Uptown.
Beyond what’s here, Williams said one of the best ways to seek out more of Charlotte’s black-owned businesses is by going to events. “Show up to networking events planned outside your own network,” Williams said. “One of the things we’re trying to be cognizant of is trying not to host exclusively ‘black business’ events. There are so many chambers in the city — the Latino Chamber, Black Chamber, Asian-American Chamber. We should work with all of them.”
[Related:
How Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce is a resource for small businesses]
(1) 7th Restaurant & Lounge
What: Seafood restaurant/cocktail bar
Where: 321 North Caldwell Street, Suite 100
Neighborhood: Uptown
(2) Anntony’s Caribbean Cafe
What: Caribbean restaurant
Where: 2001 E. Seventh Street
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
(3) Curio, Craft & Conjure
Photo by Alex Cason Photography
Curio Craft and Conjure co-owners Gianna Spriggs-Macdonald and Gina Spriggs
What: Metaphysical supply shop
Where: 3204-C N. Davidson Street
Neighborhood: NoDa
[Related:
NoDa’s newest retailer offers energy healing, tarot card readings—and magick]
(4) The Doghouse Bar and Grille
What: Southern/seafood/pub fare
Where: 7200 Albemarle Road
Neighborhood: East Charlotte
(5) The Factory Cafe Charlotte
Courtesy of Factory Cafe
What: Breakfast/lunch Cafe
Where: 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Boulevard
Neighborhood: Uptown
(6) Freshwaters
What: Southern restaurant
Where: 516 North Graham St
Neighborhood: Uptown
(7) House of Africa
What: Decor and gifts
Where: 1215 Thomas Avenue
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
(8) The House of LeMond
What: Men’s fashion
Where: 116 W. Fourth Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
(9) It’s Poppin’ Gourmet Kettle Corn
Photo via It’s Poppin’ Gourmet Kettle Corn
Cookies N Cream Kettle Corn
What: Popcorn vendor
Where: 224 E. Seventh Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
(10) Kimberly’s Boutique
Courtesy of Kimberly’s Boutique
Kimberly Guinn
What: Women’s fashion
Where: 115 East Park Avenue
Neighborhood: Dilworth
(11) LaWan’s Soul Food
What: Soul food restaurant
Where: 520 South Tryon Street
Neighborhood: Yorkwood
(12) Loft & Cellar
What: Craft cuisine/cocktails
Where: 305 West Fourth Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
[Related:
Loft & Cellar, a 3-level restaurant and bar, is open Uptown]
(13) Mama’s Caribbean Bar & Grill
What: Caribbean restaurant
Where: 504 Central Avenue
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
(14) Max & Lola Bodega
Courtesy of Max & Lola Bodega
What: Bodega
Where: 1501 South Mint Street
Neighborhood: Gold District
[Related:
Max & Lola Bodega selling CBD alongside its classic cocktails]
(15) Mert’s Heart & Soul
What: Soul food/Southern restaurant
Where: 214 North College Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
(16) Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast
Courtesy of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast
What: Themed bed & breakfast
Where: 334 North Sharon Amity Road
Neighborhood: Sherwood Forest/Cotswold
(17) Oasis Day Spa
What: Spa
Where: 2036 East 7th Street
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
(18) Pure Body Salon & Spa
What: Spa
Where: 415 Tuckaseegee Road
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights/Enderly Park
(19) Red@28th
What: Cocktail/hookah bar
Where: 9539 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 203
Neighborhood: University City
(20) Soul Central
What: Southern comfort food restaurant
Where: 2903 Central Avenue
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
(21) Soul Liberation Yoga and Wellness
What: Yoga studio
Where: 4822 Albemarle Road, Suite 305
Neighborhood: Oakhurst
(22) Sports One Charlotte
Courtesy of Sports One Charlotte
What: American restaurant/pub fare
Where: 521 North College Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
(23) Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar
What: Cocktail bar/live music
Where: 401 North Tryon Street, Suite 104
Neighborhood: Uptown
(24) Three Spirits Brewery
What: Brewery
Where: 5046 Old Pineville Road
Neighborhood: Lower South End
(25) Tropical Goodies
What: Jamaican/Caribbean restaurant
Where: 2316 Lasalle Street
Neighborhood: Lincoln Heights
(26) TUFT
Courtesy of TUFT
What: Boutique furniture
Where: 1222 Central Avenue
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
(27) Queen Sheba Restaurant
What: Ethiopian restaurant
Where: 4804 Central Avenue
Neighborhood: Winterfield/East Charlotte
(28) Urban Cardio Dance
Courtesy of Urban Cardio Dance
Corey C’Yo Brown
What: Dance fitness
Where: Locations vary
Neighborhood: Varies
(29) Velocity Sneaker Boutique
What: Shoe boutique
Where: 8925 J.M. Keynes Drive #3
Neighborhood: University City
(30) William Wilson Clothing
Courtesy of William Wilson
William Wilson
What: Custom men’s clothier
Where: 1201 South Graham Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
[Related:
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(31) The Yolk
Courtesy of Peter Taylor
What: Breakfast restaurant
Where: 224 East 7th Street
Neighborhood: Uptown
[Related:
It’s The Yolk Uptown by day, but what’s on the menu at night?]
