To fight racial injustice, you can sign petitions, donate to causes and organizations, educate yourself, diversify your social media feed, have tough conversations with friends and family, speak out, and amplify Black voices.
Another way to help the Black community is to use your economic resources. Shopping at Black-owned businesses is a simple yet impactful way to make a difference.
Spending your money locally makes a world of difference to small business owners. Below we have compiled a list of Black-owned restaurants, coffee shops, health and wellness services, and retail stores in our Twin Cities community.
Restaurants and Bars
Trio Plant-Based is Minnesota’s first Black-owned plant-based restaurant. The vegan restaurant is owned and run by Louis Hunter, who is Philando Castile’s cousin. They are currently open for takeout. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date.
Soul Bowl, owned by Gerard and Britney Klass, is offering soul food in a new way with customizable bowls. They are located in Graze Food Hall in North Loop. Soul Bowl was named “The Best Brunch in Minneapolis” by Eater Twin Cities and got a concession stand in the Twins Stadium Target Field in 2019.
Du Nord Craft Spirits is a family-owned distillery started by Chris and Shanelle Montana. Du Nord is passionate about helping those in their community and strives to diversify the craft alcohol market with women and people of color. Amidst COVID-19, they shifted their production to produce hand sanitizer to provide it to those in need.
Following the violent and horrific death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis community faced destruction, and citizens needed help getting food and basic supplies. Du Nord owners once again showed up for the community by turning their building into a food bank for those in need for a couple of weeks.
Afro Deli & Grill this restaurant has locations in Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis Skyway, Saint Paul, and Downtown Saint Paul’s Skyway. They offer African, Mediterranean, and American tastes. It’s the perfect quick lunch stop.
ONE Fermentary & Taproom is a brewpub in North-Loop that offers craft beer, wine, kombucha, and coffee. They serve snacks such as bread, meats, cheeses, olives, and pickles alongside their drinks. Also, El Taco Riendo is located inside their taproom.
Wholesoul: A Lavender & Sage Eatery began as a food truck, but the business found a second home inside another black, female-owned business, The Driftwood Char Bar. Stop by to enjoy authentic soul food, or catch these ladies outside for a healthy snack on the go.
Additional Black-owned restaurants in the Twin Cities to support:
Breaking Bread, Chelles’ Kitchen, Sammy’s Avenue Eatery, El Norte Kitchen, Mama Sheila’s, Milton’s Vittles, Vino, and Beer, Tommie’s Pizza, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen,
Meseret’s Ethiopian Restaurant
Coffee, Tea, and Bakeries
Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe is located on Selby Avenue in Saint Paul. They have bakery items such as bagels, cake, and other treats. The cafe has a variety of coffee blends and special drinks named after jazz musicians. Grab a drink and treat to go next time you’re in Saint Paul.
Cheesecake Funk owner Vanessa Drews is bringing cheesecakes to the Twin Cities. You can find them in Crave restaurants, The Minikahda Club, and the School of the Wise. They cater weddings and also now offer online ordering.
Limu Coffee is an Ethiopian coffee shop located in New Brighton. They have wonderful smoothies and frosty drinks. Also, Limu provides delicious bakery snacks and ice cream. They previously won the Best Business of New Brighton Award.
Mojo Monkey Donuts, owned by Lisa Clark, is serving up coffee and delicious donuts. Mojo is offering curbside pickup and delivery. Head to their Instagram or Facebook for photos of their stunning donuts.
Green Garden Bakery is an award-winning community garden and business run by BIPOC youth in North Minneapolis. They serve vegetable-based desserts made from the produce they grow. You can order online or find them at Midtown Farmers Market, Mill City Farmers Market, and other pop-up events in the Twin Cities.
Health and Wellness
ZeSa Fitness is a fitness studio in downtown Minneapolis. They have group fitness classes, personal training, and private classes for special events. The classes focus on barre, balance, strength, and cardio. They sell a line of instability training devices that professional sports teams in Minnesota use, including the Vikings and Twins.
612 Jungle is a hip hop yoga studio in Northeast Minneapolis. They offer classes for both beginners and more advanced yogis. Head to their Instagram to stay up to date and follow the online classes they are currently hosting. If you’d like to donate to their business during this pandemic, their Venmo is @jungle612.
PUSH Fitness Studio is a Saint Paul-based studio, founded by Connie Sheehan. The classes included Tabata, spinning, boot camp, barre, yoga, and personal training.
Major Body Fitness has weight training and calisthenic classes, spin classes, and a class called Major Bounce, which is a mix of tribal dancing, plyometrics, and power yoga, created by owner Melissa Levingston. Currently, they are holding their classes via Zoom.
Crutchfield Dermatology, located in Eagan, is owned by Charles E. Crutchfield III. The clinic provides cosmetic, spa, and medical skincare treatments. They are offering virtual visits with their professionals during this time.
Clothing and Accessories
D.NOLO is a co-op retail space located in North Loop. They sell womenswear, shoes, accessories, and home furnishings. Next door is the Cobble Social House that has food and drinks.
Gigi’s Flair Emporium creates pins, patches, stickers, magnets, t-shirts, hoodies, and totes. You can purchase their pop culture pins on this site, and their Minneapolis and Prince-themed items on this site. On their website, they are currently selling Home of the Revolution and Black Lives Matter products. The Future in South Minneapolis sells Gigi’s products in their store as well.
Twenty First Avenue is a new women’s fashion brand with trendy clothing, accessories, and sunglasses. It is owned and operated by Gabrielle Iweriebor.
Choose Love Minnesota sells Minnesotan clothing and accessories for adults, kids, and dogs. They have items representing our local sports teams’ colors, the Vikings, Twins, Loons, and Timberwolves. Choose Love is a local family start-up company that’s dedicated to spreading love throughout the community.
Hybrid Nation is a diversity-centered streetwear brand that sells clothing, accessories, and home goods. They have gear for women, men, and kids. The “Hybrid Nation X” section on their website features collaborations with artists who make socially-conscious art.
Consciously shopping at black-owned businesses is a step towards racial equity in the Twin Cities business community. Let’s all make a continuous effort to support local black-owned stores and shops.
Here are a few resources to help you find Black-owned businesses:
