With the wave of protests that have swept the country, we as a nation are looking at a new Civil Rights era. If you can’t make it to a gathering, there are plenty of other ways to show your support. One of the most important ways is by supporting locally-owned businesses in your community, so we rounded up a few of our favorite black-owned Austin businesses for you to check out. From doula services to bookstores and even party supplies, keep reading to see them all.
Got a business you’d like to see included? Email us at blm@tinybeans.go-vip.net
Cater to Mom
This subscription box is designed with postpartum moms in mind. Every month you’ll receive products to help you through the Fourth Trimester. Each box contains 6 - 8 items with a value of $100+, and prices start at $43.99. Not a new mom? Check out the box just for dad!
Online: catertomom.com
Treasure City Thrift
Treasure City Thrift is a zero-waste, collectively-run thrift store that collaborates with Grassroot social justice programs in Austin. The shop is filled with goodies, a perfect place to take your older kids for a day of browsing for treasures.
Online: treasurecitythrift.org
Black Pearl Bookstore
This independent bookstore strives to serve a multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-socio-economic community.
Online: blackpearlbookstore.com
Wigglez n Gigglez
An online boutique with unique onesies for babies and adorable clothes for toddlers and little kids.
Online: wigglezngigglez.com
Hill Country Outdoors
The next time you want to plan a trip to Austin, or if you’re local and want to become a member of their active outdoor community, be sure to check out Hill Country Outdoors. They can arrange for everything from a day on the lake to hiking and even overnight camping trips. Many events have been postponed due to COVID-19, but this is a good one to bookmark for the future.
Online: hillcountryoutdoors.com
Kiddie Express Train
As soon as it’s okay to start hosting birthday parties or organizing festivals again, can we suggest giving Kiddie Express Train a call? Veteran-owned, you can pick from a few different types of trackless trains (tractor train, dino train, regular train) to keep your locomotive-obsessed kids entertained.
Online: kiddieexpresstrain.com
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant & Grill
Serving delicious Ethiopian food, Habesha Restaurant & Grill is open for dining and takeout. Owned and managed by Yidnekachew Fantu and wife, head chef Selam Abebe, you’ll find traditional menu items like inerja and kitfo, but also unique items like sambusa appetizers and an avocado-tomato mix that’s given a cultural twist.
Online: habeshaaustin.com
Whitney’s Cakery and Co
If you need a specialty cake, cupcake or cookies, check out this North Austin company that opened in March 2019. Baker-owner Whitney Jones-Vega can whip up just about any cupcake flavor you can imagine and you can choose from cake flavors that range from key lime pie to bananas foster and everything in between.
Online: whitneyscakeryandco.com/home
Hoover's Cooking
Serving up what owner-chef Hoover Alexander’s calls honest-to-goodness Texas cooking. The menu has comfort food like chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy, alongside classic BBQ like pork ribs and sausage. Hoover’s has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to Austinites for over 20 years.
Online: hooverscooking.com
Kiwisparty
Another great resource to bookmark for when in-person birthday parties resume, Kiwisparty can do face painting, make balloon characters or bring a braid or bling bar to make it a memorable day.
Online: kiwisparty.com
Interwoven Doula Care
Dominique A Wyse is a birth and postpartum doula who hopes to help families transition into the space of having a new baby. She’ll provide, in a no-judgment zone, the resources and information each family needs to make decisions on their birth plans.
Anythings Austin
Bet you didn’t know there were so many ways to dress up a baked potato! Anythings Austin can prove it’s possible. Chose to make your own with all your favorite toppings, or pick a specialty potato like the salmon and asparagus or a portobello vegan.
Online: anythingsaustin.com
Sam’s BBQ
The world-famous Austin BBQ joint was started by Sam Campbell in 1957. Purchased by the Mays family in 1976, this classic East Austin spot has quite possibly some of the country’s best BBQ.
Online: facebook.com/ATXBBQ
iTrain Sports Performance
It’s no secret that Texans love their football, so if you’re considering extra training for the player in your life, consider iTrain. They offer camps and training sessions for kids and adults, ranging from beginners to college hopefuls.
Online: itrainct.com
—Gabby Cullen
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