In its second year, Bite of Brown week offers free exposure and marketing for African-American owned businesses in Tallahassee. The week was originally created to draw more attention to businesses that were impacted by the pandemic and shutdowns.
Dream Marketing Group has partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Black Nickel and YELP Tallahassee to create a weeklong initiative called Bite of Brown. The initiative was designed to increase exposure and consistent clientele for small African American-owned restaurants.
The group, made up of FAMU alumni. Has provided exposure for Black-owned restaurants including Earley’s Kitchen, Island OMG Seafood, Ryders Water Ice, Smoothie Time, Leola’s Crab Shack, Sneauxball, 509 Caribbean Cuisine, Lovetts Burgers, Tastee Turkey Leg, Agape Lemonade, Catering With Care and Oh Lemonade.
The restaurants also have specials for those who support them during the week.
Caleb Ross, co-founder of Dream Marketing Group, and his team created the campaign Bite of Brown to help Black-owned businesses that were impacted by the pandemic, and to highlight popular Black-owned businesses and to encourage people to taste recipes created by men and women of color.
Last year, only seven restaurants participated in the week. This year, 12 participated.
The restaurant owners said they saw around a 20 to 40 percent increase in sales, more customer engagement, and an increase in advertisement for their business during the week.
“The Dream Marketing Group is an amazing group of individuals who are doing incredible work here in the community. Being a part of this week means so much. I am able to connect with people I’ve never met before, gain more exposure from different media outlets, and overall be highlighted. I would have never gotten a chance to if it wasn’t for them,” said Jason Eugene, owner of 509 Caribbean Cuisine.
“Last year our business saw a 40 percent increase in sales. I was truly amazed and thankful. When this year came around, I was honored when they asked If I wanted to participate again. I wish we could be a part of this event every year,” he added.
Christian Streat, co-founder of Dream Marketing Group, explained that extra exposure and introducing people to places they wouldn’t normally visit is the key objective.
“Ultimately we want to provide as much content as possible, provide some of the resources that we offer, have the community come out, build that camaraderie and support. Not everyone knows these restaurants that are here,” Streat said.
“Tallahassee is a melting pot with different students, different people who come from out of town, and if we can give as much exposure as possible, that’s our goal,” he added.
Students had been looking forward to the weeklong event since the group released the flyer. Florida A&M student Zion Kelly said he was eager to participate in the week.
“When I saw the Dream Marketing Group post the flyer, I already knew they were back and better with the best restaurant line up. Honesty, not only did I want to taste all the food, but I wanted to support Black-owned businesses,” Kelly said.
Checkout more about the week on instagram @dreammarketinggroup @biteofbrown.