Black-Owned Businesses to Support This Black History Month
One of the best ways to celebrate Black History Month is to support local Black-owned businesses.
Small businesses have struggled immensely during the pandemic—according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the number of activve small businesses in the US had dropped by 22 percent by April 2020, just one month after many businesses had to pause in-person sales due to Covid-19. But for Black-owned businesses, the drop was even more dramatic, with 41 percent having to permanently close their doors by April.
While supporting Black-owned businesses should be a year-round goal, this Black History Month, OFM has compiled a list of our favorite Black-owned businesses in Denver for you to start supporting this month.
Restaurants and Food:
The People’s Pickles sells pickles made from a secret family recipe dating back hundreds of years. They work with Lower the Barrier to teach entrepreneurial skills to marginalized people across Colorado. Craving pickles? Buy them here.
Stop by Nola Voodoo Tavern and Perks for great drinks and an authentic New Orleans menu. Established in 2015, the restaurant sits at the corner of York Street and Bruce Randolph Avenue in Denver. See the menu here.
TeaLee’s Tea House and Bookstore
This tea house in Denver’s Five Points has a menu complete with loose leaf teas, food, and drinks, as well as books to peruse. Read more about them and view the menu here.
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Hot Chick-a-Latté is a drive-through café and breakfast spot on Colfax. Look for the bright pink A-frame building and stop by for a delicious latte served to you by a “barista babe.” Order merchandise and read more about them here.
Located in the Cheesman Park area on 6th Avenue, Buzz Cafe can serve you delicious coffee and sandwiches inside or at the drive-through. Visit their website above.
For some of the best Ethiopian food in Denver, head over to Lucy’s Ethiopian restaurant on Colfax. They have a spacious seating area and great service. See their menu and read reviews here.
Retail and Shopping:
For books, design supplies, stationary, and more, stop by MATTER, Denver’s only black-owned bookstore. Many of their books cover topics such as social justice, race, gender, and LGBTQ+ rights. Shop online at the link above.
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Be a Good Person sells everything from workout gear to bodysuits to socks—all featuring their slogan, “Be a Good Person.” Their mission is to reject negativity and encourage positive change. Click the link above to view their products.
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The Intim8te Bell is a Denver-based, black-owned, lingerie store in Aurora. Their sizes range from petite to plus size, and they have affordable options for everyone. Shop at the link above.
The Yellow Door Collective sells kitchen accessories, face masks, home decor, bags, hats, and jewelry in culturally-inspired fabrics, all of which are handmade. The shop is family owned and eco-conscious. Click the link above to view their products.
The Black Pineapple sells handcrafted soy wax candles in a variety of scents and collections. They have new Valentine’s Day collections available for purchase this February. Shop the Valentine Mini Set here.
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The Yarn Shoppe specializes in hand-dyed yarns and is the perfect shop for those of us who took up knitting as our new hobby during quarantine. Their Denver storefront has limited hours during Covid-19, but you can shop their yarn online here.
Beauty and Wellness:
Urban Sanctuary Denver offers many wellness practices, including massage, reiki, counseling, and yoga. They aim to create a community of individuality and support. Read about them and schedule a class at the link above.
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Gentleman Quinns Blunt Company
Gentleman Quinns Blunt Company is all about rolling you a “better” blunt. They classify their blunts as “High Class Big Ass Blunts” and each blunt comes in it’s own hand-crafted box. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, you can order online and pick up your product at various stores around Denver.
Simply Pure Dispensary was Denver’s first black-owned marijuana dispensary. They aim to create a safe and comfortable environment where customers can learn more about cannabis and find what’s right for them. You can order their products online and pick them up at their storefront in Northwest Denver.
For inclusive and diverse mental health care, Evans Counseling is the place to go. They offer many types of therapy, including couples counseling and LGBTQ+ specific counseling. They also offer online therapy options during Covid-19.
This skincare brand is all about handmade and natural skincare products. They never test on animals or use added fragrances or chemicals. With Valentine’s Day approaching, these products would make a great gift for a loved one. Shop here.
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Body and Soul Salon offers textured hair services, skin care services, hair removal, cosmetic services, general hair care, and more. The salon is located on 8th Ave near Colorado Blvd. Click the link above to view a full list of their services and prices.
