Hey Charleston, Vagney here. 👋 August is National Black Business Month, and we are shining a light on Black-owned businesses right here in the Lowcountry. It is reported that Black-owned businesses have been almost twice as likely to close up shop during the current pandemic, due to weaker financial conditions in cities that have been hit hard by COVID-19. Thankfully, some Black-owned businesses in South Carolina are seeing a surge in support. ⭐
Pandemic or not, there are many ways to support + celebrate diverse Black-owned businesses in the community every month. Major props to Charleston City Paper for curating this awesome list of Black-owned businesses here in Chucktown.
Explore these businesses that offer everything from hand-blown colored glass, natural soaps, jewelry, clothing, artwork, and even tours of the city’s African-American history + more. 🛍️
Check out the 15 businesses we have listed, and here’s the complete list of resources that can help you shop local + support Black-owned businesses. ♥️
Note: Due to COVID-19, some businesses may currently be closed or offering limited services.
Shops + Makers
- Motherland Essentials | Shop online | Natural soaps, plant-based bath, body + skincare
- BR Design Co. | Shop online | Sister duo that create clay jewelry + accessories
- Estelle Colored Glass | Shop online | luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass cake stands + stemware
- Rose Florist Charleston | 117 Spring St. | This floral shop has been open since 1972 + the owner is the longest-established florist in the tri-county area.
- Turning Page Bookshop | 216 Saint James Ave #F, Goose Creek | This bookstore offers African American history, non-fiction, fiction, Christian, teens, kids, murder mystery room, book clubs + an internet café. Read how the owner, Valinda Miller + the manager, Arrylee Satterfield, have a passion for educating others through the bookshop.
Health + Beauty
- BRWN Girl Talk | Stay connected | This is a unique space to explore the act of mindfulness through meditation, celebration + therapeutic conversation.
- Family Barbershop | 147 Spring St. | Customers can receive haircuts, shaves + facial massages. Interesting fact: The owner, Thad Miller, has more than 50 years of experience in the business.
- Perkins Eyecare Eyewear | 4740 O’Hear Ave., North Charleston | Fashion-forward eyewear + medical-based eyecare located in Park Circle
- The F.A.S.T Athletic Performance Facility | 1836 Meeting Street Rd., Suite 101 | Get fit + maintain your fitness goals at this fitness + sports training facility downtown.
- Transformation Yoga | 218 King St. | This downtown yoga studio focuses on uplifting + representing underrepresented communities. Currently, the studio + all operations will be closed until Sept. 30th for rest + wellness. The studio will be emailing out details on how supporters can stay engaged in the community – stay connected here + Instagram.
Creatives + Business Services
- Community Owned Federal Credit Union | 117 Spring Street, #C | This credit union, founded in 1966, is one (of the few) of the region’s financial institutions established + operated by African-Americans.
- Gullah Tours | 375 Meeting St. | Tours are led by Alphonso Brown, who is fluent in the Gullah language + Gullah customs. The unique tours explore the places, history + stories of Black Charlestonians.
- Letter Décor | Shop online | Colorful + unique custom hand-lettered artwork
- The Charleston Chronicle | 1111 King St. | This is Charleston’s only Black-owned newspaper, and it’s been serving the city since 1971.
- The Space Company | 82 ½ Spring St. | The Space Company is Charleston’s only full service African-American real estate company.
Food
Of course, food is in a category of its own. For all of our foodie friends, K.J. Kearney, Charleston City Paper columnist, created a map of 80 Black-owned restaurants in the Charleston area, too. Map out your food here. 🍽️
