17 Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Downtown Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix is home to an array of Black-owned businesses, many of which are institutions in Phoenix’s cultural fabric. Here are 17 you can support:

Straw and Wool

Hats off to these awesome Phoenicians. Straw and Wool brings a sense of style, confidence and pride to Downtown Phoenix and beyond. Established in 2020, when you step inside Straw & Wool you gain confidence that only a classic hat can provide. Instagram: @straw_and_wool

Details: 610 E. Roosevelt St., Ste 144.  Phone: 602-888-4761

Latha Restaurant + Bar & The Diaspora Collective

The Diaspora Collective is a place for the collective to celebrate, connect, discover, experience, and honor the food, art, culture, music, and people of Africa and the African diaspora. The reason why is simple: to empower people to be passionate ambassadors for Africa and African diaspora so that we shape the narrative. Instagram: @the_diasporacollective

Latha is a restaurant and bar that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Africa and the African diaspora. The menu is rooted in the food traditions of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the Southern US. Ingredients are carefully sourced from local farms, responsible purveyors and fair trade sources, as well as offering a selection of wine, beer, and spirits made, owned or developed by Black artisans.

Details: Heritage Square, Silva House, 628 E. Adams St.

Black Theatre Troupe

Celebrating more than 50 years in the Eastlake Park neighborhood, the origins of the Black Theatre Troupe date back to ‘70s, when the Valley’s Black community needed a creative and artistic space during times of racial tension. Fun fact: During the ‘80s it became the first real artistic anchor of the Roosevelt Row Arts District. You can purchase tickets or make a donation online. IG: blacktheatretroupeDetails: 1333 E. Washington St.

Stardust & Sage

This crystal shop located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District offers oracle readings, divination, guided meditation, sound baths, herbal baths, remedies and more. Owned by Havana, the store also carries a variety of crystals, candles, smoke cleansing sticks and spiritual colognes. Instagram: stardustandsagecoDetails: 610 E Roosevelt St # 136. Phone: 602-314-4409

The Garment League

This nonprofit provides fashion education and industry resources to the Ariozna-based fashion community. Founded by Tricee Thomas, Phoenix designers can learn the business of fashion, participate in fashion shows, attend creative workshops, and more. The Garment League hosts On Central and Phoenix Swim Week fashion shows. Thomas says the organization’s purpose is to bring attention to local emerging designers and creative talents in the city to place Arizona on the map as one of the leading garment industries in the country.

Details: 815 N. 1st St.

Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar

Ali Nervis and Tremikus Muhammad opened Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar in the Eastlake Park Neighborhood in 2019. Since then the store has received national attention including a nod on Oprah Daily. Filled with shelves and shelves of books by Black authors and on the Black experience, it’s also home to a juice bar and coworking space where community members can host meetings and events. The store always has new titles and has recently added a selection of comic books. Instagram: @grassrootzbookstore Details: 1145 E. Washington St.

Bake Media Productions

Bake Media Productions is a full-service videography and event production company founded by husband and wife duo Lee Baker and Jessika Baker. The media company specializes in documentary and product videography, event planning and on-site production services, and hosting various live-streamed events.

Buy Black Marketplace

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, Stardust & Sage, and Straw & Wool, the marketplace occurs monthly Downtown. The Marketplace features many products from Black-owned businesses in Phoenix, including art, jewelry, clothing, beauty products, food and more. To learn more and get the event schedule visit Archwood Exchange.

Andy’s Shoe Shine & Sweet Crimes Candy Vault

Located on the ground floor of the Orpheum Lofts, Andy’s Shoe Shine has been in operation in Downtown Phoenix for over 15 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. Recently, the couple embarked on a new venture, Sweet Crimes Candy Vault, located next door. Stop in for candy, cookies, and ice cream.

Details: 114 W. Adams St.

ACRES Retail Store

Founded by local nonprofit Archwood Exchange, the ACRES Community Creators Marketplace is the organization’s latest effort to empower our community by developing and supporting local small Black-owned businesses. Located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District in Downtown Phoenix, this store is the home to over 30 local businesses while working towards paving the way for new entrepreneurs and building generational wealth.

Details: 610 E. Roosevelt St.

Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles

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 25 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. Instagram: @loloschickenandwaffles

Details: 1220 S. Central Ave.

Monroe’s Hot Chicken

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. View a stunning visual of the restaurant as part of our DTPHX In/Flux video series. Instagram: @monroeshotchicken 

Details: 45 W. Jefferson St. Phone: 602-872-7100

Tap That Downtown

This self-serve taproom offers a rotating selection of 35 draft beverages. Explore and pour your craft beer, and definitely try the wings and poutine. In addition to drinks, Tap That Downtown offers a full menu of delicious pub food and flatbreads.

Details: 909 N. 5th St.

Track Fitness Club

Whether it’s time for a workout or a cocktail, head to the DeSoto Building at Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street. Owned by Pasquale “Pat” Brocco who opened Track Club after losing more than 300 pounds and sharing his fitness journey with “Ellen,” “Good Morning America” and other media outlets. Instagram: @trackclubfitnessDetails: 915 N Central Ave.

Alterations and Creations

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. 

Details: 214 W. Roosevelt St. Phone: 602-277-9952

Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe 

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. 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.

Details: 808 E. Jefferson St. Phone: 602-262-9256

Weight Room

“A place of unmatched potential and grace.” This private personal training facility in Downtown Phoenix provides 1 on 1, small group, and online training. Owners also offer nutrition coaching, bodybuilding, and powerlifting prep. Walk-ins are welcome with $10 day passes.

Details: 620 W. Adams St.

Midwest Wings XL

A Midwesterner through and through, Kiara brought her love for the flavors of the Midwest all the way from Michigan to DTPHX. Look no further for classic comfort food like chicken wings, loaded fries, Detroit-style corned beef sandwiches,  or even treat yourself to a cold beer or frozen margarita! New to the Downtown area, you can find this chicken haven in the Collier Center behind Taco Bell Cantina.

Details: 201 E. Washington St. Suite 109

Phone: (480) 597-3471