There has been a growing conscious effort to support Black-owned local businesses
These past few years have been tough on business, that much is clear. But we all know big corporations aren’t going anywhere. Now more than ever, it’s important to give our local small businesses some love, especially the demographic that’s been hit the hardest by the pandemic.
Here are 12 Black-owned businesses you can support right here in San Diego. Time to go shopping!
Fivespace
Fivespace is a record shop in North Park specializing in all things Hip Hop. It offers a wide selection of vinyl, cassettes, and vintage apparel. Can’t find what you’re after in the store? Fivespace will hunt it down for you.
Location: 2305 University Ave #101
Garden of Fragrance
Garden of Fragrance is a second-generation, family-owned business. Since 1988, it has been supplying San Diego with premium quality perfume body oils, home fragrances, and fresh hand-dipped incense. They now only process wholesale and institution orders.
Location: 1960A 54th Street
Freshly Faded Barber + Shop
Located in the heart of North Park, this local barbershop aims to cultivate a conscious culture in the community. It specializes in fades, tapers, mohawks, and straight razor shaves, in addition to selling pins, t-shirts, and vintage magazines reflecting Black culture.
Location: 2850 El Cajon Blvd. Suite 1. 92104
Failed Race
Failed Race is a clothing brand on a mission to spread knowledge and awareness through its apparel. The company aims to spark conversations and continue the dialogue surrounding racial inequalities and social disadvantages.
Location: online
Café X: By Any Beans Necessary
Café X is a worker-owned coffee shop and co-op started by a mother-daughter team. Their venue serves as a multifunctional space for coffee and tasty baked goods, a local art gallery, as well as community events.
Location: 7220 El Cajon Blvd
Common Ground Theatre
Common Ground Theatre is an artistic and cultural hub for the community. Their amazing goal is to educate children in the performing, fine, and visual arts. Many of their past productions include classic and new works by and about African descent. This amazing gem is a thriving part of the community and somewhere you’ll learn and be inspired by.
Location: 4343 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113
Sew Forgiven
Sew Forgiven is an online boutique shop that sells handmade artisan goods. It offers a wide range of products including bags, jewelry, drinkware, skincare products, and masks. All products are designed in-house and are an expression of creativity, craftsmanship, and culture.
Location: online
Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream
Since 2014 Hammond’s has been serving up refreshing ice cream in sunny San Diego. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill soft serve, their quality is top-notch! This is because their ice cream is made with low air infused in the mixing process resulting in a buttery and dense premium product. Their flavors are uniquely Hawaiian using local fruits, nuts, dairy, and Kona coffees. It’s so authentic that is the only ice cream to attain Hawaii’s Seal of Quality!
Location:3077 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104
Lonely Floater
Lonely Floater is a lifestyle streetwear brand that embodies individualism, awareness, and positivity. Their line offers everything from hats, shirts, hoodies, and bags, all with a subtle reminder to ‘fly at your own pace.’
Location: online
Skinfolk
Skinfolk is an earth-inspired line of skincare products. The company sells everything from natural deodorants and healing balms to body butter and face oil.
Location: online
Nomad Donuts
Nomad Donuts provides North Park with delicious donuts, bagels, pastries, preserves and coffee. Their gourmet flavors are globally inspired, and they’re made from scratch every day.
Location: 3102 University Avenue
Dirt Don’t Hurt
Dirt Don’t Hurt is an online business owned by a trio of San Diego sisters. They sell non-toxic personal care and cleaning products. All of their products are 100% earth and plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free.
Location: multiple locations
[Featured image: Garden of Fragrance]