Blog

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the rich history, achievements and culture of African Americans. To honor this important month, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some fantastic Black-owned local businesses to help you #SupportLocal. This year especially, it’s crucial that we all support small businesses and business owners that make our Baltimore community so special.

Check out these businesses for some amazing shopping, dining and drinks, all not too far from your home here at Union Wharf.

Retail
If you have some shopping to do for Valentine’s Day, an upcoming birthday, or if you just need an excuse to treat yourself, these Baltimore Black-owned businesses have something for everyone.

The founder of Pandora’s Box Boutique created the shop with the goal of bringing super-cute, high-quality goods to the Federal Hill community at an affordable price. Each item in their impeccable selection of tote bags, jewelry, homewares and more has a touch of humor and style.

For clothing that’s trendy yet classic, head to The Doll House Boutique. The owner Natalie Karyl founded the store in 2003, with the belief that “playing dress up never truly ends.”

If your New Year’s Resolution was to start journaling, Drama MaMa Bookshop has the perfect notebook for you! This inspiring company was founded by Alisa L Brock, when the loss of a loved one inspired her to channel her grief into the creation of journals.

Candles make a perfect Galentine’s gift! The KSM Candle Co., founded by Letta Moore, sells soy candles that will make your apartment smell absolutely amazing.

Dining
There are also some truly fantastic Black-owned restaurants in Baltimore!

Magdalena, located at The Ivy, serves “European traditions infused with Maryland soul.” Their menu changes seasonally, using ingredients that are locally sourced to create dishes that are internationally-inspired. You can learn more about the incredible story of the owners, Eddie and Syliva Brown, in this article.

For cafe-style eats, check out Teavolve, a fixture of the community for over a decade. Not only have co-owners Sunni and Del curated an awesome selection of teas, they have a superb menu of eats, including breakfast faves, paninis, salads and more.

Or, enjoy a wine-and-pizza night all in one at Serenity Wine Cafe. This self-serve wine bar was started by Nneka Bial, who came up with the idea after working at Pizza Hut for 23 years, and now uses her knowledge of the food industry to bring delicious food and drinks to Locust Point.

Desserts

People with a sweet tooth will definitely love these next few businesses! Midnite Confection, run by mother and son duo Sandra and Aaron, make awe-inspiring cupcake creations, like the Midnite cupcake, featuring a chocolate chip cream cheese surprise inside a chocolate cupcake, with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Another dessert destination is Crust By Mack, created by Amanda Mack in 2018. Her handmade pastries are made fresh each morning, completely from scratch fresh. The Brown Butter Roasted Pecan Cookie is a fan-favorite, but you just might want to try one of everything—don’t sleep on the Birthday Crust.

If you’re looking to get your chocolate fix, we have two great recommendations for you. Berries By Quicha makes gourmet chocolate covered strawberries that are simply divine. They’ve even made strawberries for VIP customers, including Barack Obama, Amazon and Nordstrom! For the chocolate purists, try Pure Chocolate By Jinji, founded by Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy. They create scrumptious handcrafted chocolate delicacies using responsibly-sourced ingredients.

Drinks
There are some great Black-owned drink and spirits businesses in Baltimore too. Located in Highlandtown, Off The Rox has a fabulous range of handpicked drinks, including beer on tap. The vision of the owners Jeryl Cole and Tyrekia Jackson was to create a wine and beer shop with a social, welcoming atmosphere, a place that people could come to shop but also to spend time.

Another business started by founders with an impressive knowledge of the bar and hospitality industries is CAnE Collective, where you can find delicious mixers for your cocktails.

We hope this list inspires you to check out some more Baltimore Black-owned businesses this Black History Month and beyond. Don’t forget to show some love to these businesses on social media and use #BLKFoodBaltimore for all food related posts!