In recent years, society has seen a push for Black businesses to combat racial injustices and cultivate wealth in the Black community. This year, small Black-owned businesses that may have just begun their journey to success experienced the economic shock from the pandemic. This economic crisis caused some shops to close down, like Soul Veg Juice Bar & Cafe, and others to be put in not-so-comfortable economic positions.
In an effort to help these Black-owned businesses bounce back and make it through to the next year, Tallahassee folks must show out this holiday season and show support.
Here are a few local Black-owned businesses that you can support during the holidays.
Lady Luck Boutique
Located downtown, a short drive from FAMU and FSU, lies Lady Luck Boutique on South Monroe Street.
Everyone likes to look good during the holidays and if you need something new to wear, Lady Luck has something for you.
Lady Luck is the fashion spot with outfits for every occasion. According to their loyal customers, their prices are affordable and the quality is even better.
If you are looking to look your best for an affordable cost, it looks like Lady Luck Boutique is the spot for you.
We Maid It Tallahassee Inc.
If you have family coming in town and you haven’t had time to make things tidy around the house, We Maid It is a local Black-owned residential and commercial cleaning company.
Renita Bowman started We Maid it as a result of the pandemic.
“I lost my job unexpectedly,” she said. “I didn’t have anything really to bounce back from so the thought came to me to start a cleaning business and things have just been a blessing. So this is what I’m doing now. What I thought was going to be a bad thing is turning into a wonderful thing.”
Bowman said she enjoys what she is doing now and can’t wait to meet some new clients for the holiday season.
“Right now we have a sale that started off as a Black Friday sale, but will be running through Dec. 15, where the homeowner can choose any three rooms in their home and we’ll professionally clean and disinfect the rooms for $119.”
Smoothie Time
Located off of Capital Circle Southeast, just five minutes away from the Governor’s Square Mall is Smoothie Time Tallahassee.
This is the place to visit when you are looking for a sweet treat but still want to be healthy.
“At the start of COVID we had to close our lobby but once we adjusted to the delivery services, things really picked back up,” Erick Smith, co-owner of Smoothie Time, said.
Smith said they are fortunate to offer catering services during the holiday season and that’s typically where their profits come from.
“To drive business, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. is half-off a smoothie if you buy a sandwich and then from 3 to 7 p.m. every day is buy one, get one free smoothies,” he added. “So we had to think outside the box to get business going in a COVID year. We couldn’t rely on people sitting in the lobby and now things aren’t nearly as bad as I think they probably could be.”
Whether you are looking for a new stylish outfit, need help tidying your home or you just want to visit a family friendly restaurant, Tallahassee has the Black-owned businesses for you. This holiday season is the time where these companies can recover from the almost year-long pandemic. This is your chance to help a Black business.