21 Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Downtown Phoenix
by Downtown Phoenix Inc.
Downtown Phoenix has an array of Black-owned businesses, many of which are institutions in Phoenix’s cultural fabric. Here are 21 you can support:
(Photo: Amanda Clark)
Hats off to these awesome Phoenicians. Straw and Wool’s mission is to bring a sense of style and pride to Downtown Phoenix and beyond, while providing the best shopping experience and a variety of quality headwear and accessories. The business is celebrating its one-year anniversary in Feb. 2021 and recently moved to Roosevelt Row.
610 E. Roosevelt St., Ste 144, Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 602-888-4761
Owner and chef Nik Fields is opening a brand new brick-and-mortar restaurant and market concept called Chic Chef the first part of 2021. It will be located on the ground floor of the Muse apartment building. (Photo: Chic Chef Co.)
Across from the Heard Museum, Chic Chef Co. specializes in gourmet olive oils, specialty spice blends, vinegars, sauces, chef boxes and more. The brain child of Chef Nik Fields, every product is 100 percent organic and gluten free. You can order products online, or check out the new shop just north of McDowell Road on Central Avenue. Follow the Chic Chef Instagram page for opening date details.
2302 N. Central Ave., Ste. #3, Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 1-866-630-0010
Gizette Knight of the Shining Light Foundation (left) and Andrea Nabors (right), co-owner or Nanny’s, pose next to a mural painted by artist Debra Jones on the side of Nanny’s Fried Chicken on Ninth Street – one of 28 murals painted for the Black History Mural Project, now in its second year. (Photo: Elizabeth Montgomery)
Vernon and Kathi Williams are the husband and wife team behind Onyx Sweet Shoppe. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Ali Nervis of Grassrootz Bookstore. (Photo: Grassootz Bookstore)
A performance at Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, home of the Black Theatre Troupe. (Photo: Black Theatre Troupe)
Stardust & Sage crystal shop is located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. (Photo: Facebook)
The Buy Black Marketplace hosted by Archwood Exchange happens the first Saturday of every month. (Photo: Archwood Exchange / QuickFlicks Photography)
Since 2016, the local collective Archwood Exchange has hosted the bi-weekly Buy Black Marketplace to support Phoenix-based Black businesses. Founded by the owners of Grassrootz Bookstore and Straw & Wool, the marketplace takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. The Marketplace features many products from Black-owned businesses in Phoenix, including art, jewelry, clothing, beauty products, food and more. Learn more about Archwood Exchange.
Oye and Crys Waddell of Hustle PHX. (Photo: Hustle PHX)
Founded by husband and wife team, Oye and Crys Waddell in 2013, Hustle Phoenix describes itself as a “faith-inspired nonprofit focused on counseling and promoting Phoenix entrepreneurs who may be outside the mainstream lines of support that many others rely on in launching their businesses.” It’s funded mainly through charitable donations, support from foundations, a small fee-based income for some of their services, churches, banks and city partnerships. Learn more about Hustle PHX.
Chef Stephen Jones of The Larder + The Delta is a recent semifinalist of the James Beard Awards. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Frequently lauded as one of the best restaurants in Phoenix, The Larder + The Delta is a spot you shouldn’t miss. Chef Stephen Jones, the whiz behind the biz, grew up on Southern cooking and puts his signature sophisticated twist on dishes like fried chicken, Hoppin’ John, crispy pigs ears, fish and chips, and more. If you’re a locavore, you’ll love that most of his ingredients are sourced from local producers and purveyors. Jones was recently named a finalist of the James Beard Awards — they’re like the Oscars of the dining industry.
200 W. Portland St., Ste. 101, Phoenix, AZ
Brownstone Spas is owned by licensed esthetician, Stacy Best-Nervis. (Photo: Facebook)
In need for some self-care? Brownstone Spa is the spot to escape your everyday stresses and emerge with rejuvenated skin. Owned by licensed esthetician, Stacy Best-Nervis, Brownstone Spa focuses on customized skincare services for the face and body including hyperpigmentation, chemical peels, micro & hydro dermabrasion, and customized facials.
610 E Roosevelt Rd Unit 136 Second Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Andy and Grace (pictured) have been serving the Downtown Phoenix community for more than 13 years. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Located on the ground floor of the Orpheum Lofts, Andy’s Shoe Shine has been in operation in Downtown Phoenix for over 13 years. Whether you need your shoes shined, a stiletto repaired, or your shoes re-soled, Andy and Grace can help you out, and they always do it with a smile.
Phone: 602-264-6592
Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Fried chicken and fluffy waffles. What’s not to love? Lo-Lo’s has been a staple in the Phoenix food scene for more than 22 years. Named after Lo-Lo (Larry) White, grandson of the same Mrs. White with the Golden Rule Cafe. Take a seat inside the original location of the down-home restaurant, and drink Kool-Aid from a jar as you satiate yourself with some good old fashioned soul food. Order online.
1220 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Larry “Lo-Lo” White of Monroe’s Hot Chicken. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Downtown Phoenix may be 1,635 miles away from Nashville, but you don’t have to travel far to sink your teeth into Music City’s signature spicy dish. Monroe’s Hot Chicken — the latest concept by Larry “Lo-Lo” White (of Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles) — spiced up the Downtown Phoenix food scene with his Nashville-style hot chicken when it opened in February 2019. Located on the ground floor of the Luhrs building, Monroe’s is the brainchild of Larry “Lo-Lo” White, the namesake and owner behind the famous Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles.
45 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phil “The Grill” Johnson of Trapp Haus BBQ in Roosevelt Row. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
If you’re looking for fall-off-the-bone ribs, we’ve got your spot. Trapp Haus, the brainchild of Phil “The Grill” Johnson, is the first barbecue spot to open in Downtown Phoenix. Frequently lauded for its killer traditional American BBQ meats and savory sides, Trapp Haus is located just east of Fifth Street on Roosevelt. Stop into this cozy, rustic hangout for amazing ribs, Philly ‘crack’ wings, hickory smoked brisket, hand pulled pork, cured pastrami and more.
511 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
TinaMarie Eaves, owner and operator of Alterations and Creations in the Roosevelt neighborhood. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Whether you need a dress altered, a suit dry cleaned or some custom tailoring, TinaMarie has you covered. She has been at the helm of this Downtown Phoenix business since opening in 2001. The space also serves as a small retail boutique with clothing, accessories and stunning African wrap skirts designed by TinaMarie herself.
214 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-277-9952
Known for its Southern comfort food staples, Mrs. White’s Golden Rule has been a downtown dining staple since 1964. (Photo: Lauren Potter)
Feed your soul with some of the best Southern comfort food this side of the Mississippi. A low-key Phoenix institution, Mrs. White’s has served down-home classics since 1964. Now 97 years old, Mrs. Elizabeth White has the help of her granddaughter, Kiana White, who manages the restaurant, but the focus is the same: quality, taste and consistency. Fried catfish, fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and savory sides like black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens are just some of the items on the menu. While the space is modest, it has plenty of character with the handwritten notes from its guests on the walls, numerous newspaper clippings and the menu, written on an old-school chalkboard.
808 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Loc’d Art Hair Lounge (Photo: Facebook)
This member-based upscale natural hair salon specializes in loc cultivation and care services. Located in the Roosevelt’s Arts District the salon was founded by Braxton Keith whose mission is to create a community helping individuals to stay “Loc’d” — committed and dedicated — to their personal hair care journeys.
Norma Bilbo (right) and her mother. (Photo: Norma Bilbo)
