Black History Month Recommendations: SHOP
Published on February 20, 2024
Throughout Black History Month, we’ll be sharing opportunities to support Black-owned businesses and organizations across the Queen City. However, instead of coming up with our own recommendations for where to EAT, DRINK, SHOP, and SUPPORT, we reached out to local Black influencers and asked for their recommendations.
Here are some Black-owned restaurants and food trucks where you can SHOP during (and after) Black History Month!
Be Your Own Person (BYOP)
Exterior of Be Your Own Person in South End. (@thadailyspecial)
“This vintage shop is located right over in South End. The store boasts an impressive lineup of vintage and unique items that have been collected over the years. They also create custom apparel and can print in shop.” - @thadailyspecial on BYOP at 2923 South Tryon Street
Curio, Craft & Conjure
A display inside Curio. (@msfoodieclt)
“Curio, Craft & Conjure is a Black-owned mother and daughter boutique located in NoDa. They offer various African American & Indigenous products as well as Christian iconography. I enjoy visiting this shop to explore the variety of candles, stones, smudging, incense, books, crystals, and so much more. They provide spiritual readings, classes, and consultations. The owners, Gina & Gianna, are very intuitive, knowledgeable, spiritual, and helpful. They will provide a tour of the boutique and explain the products and its purpose for healing, relaxing, education and more.” - @msfoodieclt on Curio, Craft & Conjure at 3204 North Davidson Street
Fast Design Furniture
Inside Fast Design Furniture. (@lorriashly)
“Fast Design Furniture is a Target Liquidation Warehouse. You will see familiar Target brands like Threshold, Project 62, etc. at a discount. Items range from housewares, books, rugs, and much more. I stopped in for bar stools and paid a fraction of the cost for two.” - @lorriashly on Fast Design Furniture at 4746 Sweden Road
The Hause Collective
Exterior of The Hause Collective from inside Carolina Place Mall. (@cltblackowned)
“The Hause Collective is a vintage store located in Carolina Place Mall. The store is a collective of vintage and thrifted goods, locally made art, custom looks, and new and gently used shoes, all with a “retro” feel. Shopping at The Hause Collective is a guaranteed way to feel nostalgic and on trend all at once.” - @cltblackowned on The Hause Collective in Carolina Place Mall
Pretty Honest Candles
Andrea of Pretty Honest Candles in her studio. (@thecharlitty)
“Andrea is one of my favorite girl bosses in the city! She crafts soy candles that make your house smell wonderful. My favorite scents are Eucalyptus Spearmint and Honeysuckle Jasmine.” - @thecharlitty on Pretty Honest Candles
Reptile Bae
One of Reptile Bae’s many snakes. (@shiondafarrell)
“Reptile Bae is a unique concept here in Charlotte! Black female-owned business that breeds and sells exotic snakes! She sells them and even rents them out for photo shoots and more. I think more people should know about her and her services.” - @shiondafarrell on Reptile Bae.
Sebree Brands
Banana Pudding Cookies are just one of many delicious treats at Sebree. (@missblackfoodie)
“Established in 2018 by chef, Eric Crisco, Sebree Brands is known not only for their homemade seasoning blends and rubs but also for their delectable sweets. I was introduced to the brand through their All-Purpose Seasoning, which tastes phenomenal on chicken, pork, and steak. I’ve also utilized the brand’s to-go meal service, which brought fresh homecooked meals (i.e. Baja fish tacos, buffalo chicken dip, jerk chicken, lasagna, pulled pork, etc.) right to my doorstep. When it comes to their assortment of treats, I highly recommend trying the mind-blowing Smoked Sea Salt Caramel and Margarita bars as well as the Birthday Cake and Banana Pudding cookies. Their products can be found at Happy Kat Candles & Gifts, located in Northlake Mall, and ordered online. One try and you’ll understand why the company’s motto is, ‘Put Some Flavor On It.’” - @missblackfoodie on Sebree Brands at 6801 Northlake Mall Drive
White Island Studio Co.
The “Uptown” candle from White Island Studio Co. (Liz Knapp)
“Take a moment for yourself with aromatherapy from White Island Studio Co. This local candle shop, owned by Whitney, hand-pours soy blend candles that crackle while they burn. You’ll be immediately transported to the mountainside escape you envision in your mind, fitted with a zen garden and dessert tray of strawberry shortcakes, or maybe you’ll simply want to take a stroll Uptown. These candles are uplifting, warming, and some are funny to boot.” - @ashaeatsworld on White Island Studio Co.
CBI Certified Vendor Spotlight: The Brown Sugar Collab
Inside The Brown Sugar Collab. (brownsugarcollab.com)
The Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) program seeks to enhance competition and participation of Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) in city contracting.
The Brown Sugar Collab is a curated shopping experience that offers unique, natural products handcrafted by over 20 BIPOC women suppliers. Within the boutique, shoppers can find a wide range of ethical and sustainable items for home, bath, and body. The Brown Sugar Collab is located at 1425 Winnifred Street.
Your wallets may not thank you after you hit up every store on this list, but these business owners sure will! Tell them which influencer sent you, and feel free to tag us in any posts featuring your new products. We love to see our community support each other. Speaking of support...
Next week, we’ll feature services, entrepreneurs, and organizations that you can support in our aptly titled SUPPORT list. This will be the final list in our Black History Month Recommendations series. Yes, we’re sad about it too.