Be sure to check out these black-owned shops and restaurants in and around the Main Line region. Shop local and support small businesses this Black History Month (and every day!).
AroDough
Try this adult playdough, perfect for the young at heart, to engage in mindfulness and awaken your senses though aromatherapeutic relaxation. This product is made with natural ingredients and infused with essential oils, making it a simple way to practice self-care. AroDough was founded and created by a Villanova University graduate.
ATELIER 56
81 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
Each and every leather product sold by ATELIER 56 is locally manufactured by a cobbler in the Malvern shop. Products range from smaller bags—even single pen holders—to larger duffle-style bags, with exceptional craftsmanship prioritized at this black-owned business.
Bamba Soap Co.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Joe and Kenza Bamba in 2021, this online shop developed a distinguished natural soap bar recipe. Scented with essential oils and colored with natural plants and clays, every bar has shea butter and coconut oil to treat your skin to the ultimate washing experience. As a plus, the soaps are always affordable, with bars priced under $6 and a gift set selling for $32.
The Black Reserve Bookstore
319 W. Main St., Lansdale
Pursue literature and comics by African American authors, plus clothing, jewelry, art and more at this intimate yet airy black-owned shop in Lansdale.
BTC Envelopes & Printing
4 Karen Rd., Plymouth Meeting
In business for over 20 years, this black-owned company offers an array of services including graphic design, promotional printing, offset and digital printing, large format printing, envelope printing, fulfillment services and more. The company also gives back through philanthropic work with Montgomery County OIC.
Byrum’s Shoe Service
81 Lancaster Ave., Ste. 39, Malvern
Open since 1975, this black-owned company specializes in repairing and cleaning leather products. Restore and save your favorite shoes, boots, luggage, equestrian items and even baseball gloves and other leather accessories.
The Cheesecake Lady
910 Township Line Rd., Elkins Park
After falling in love with the creamy, savory flavor of cheesecake, Vanessa Jackson decided to set up her own shop. From her Elkins Park bakery, Jackson offers over two dozen cheesecake flavors from classics like cherry, chocolate and strawberry to more creative cakes like Girl Scout Thin Mint, cinnamon roll, pineapple and Reese’s peanut butter.
Chloe Johnston Experiences
Based in Berwyn, Chloe Johnston helps clients roam the globe with her luxury travel tours. Whether it’s exploring the beautiful beaches of Bali or taking in the mesmerizing volcanic terrain of Iceland, if you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a month-long stay abroad, Chloe Johnston Experiences tailors every trip to create your ideal personalized vacation.
Claranda Tay Hair Care & Lifestyle Boutique
3927 E Lincoln Hwy., Downingtown
Explore this all-inclusive retailer of hair care, beauty and lifestyle products that focuses on carrying minority products exclusively. Invigorate your hair journey with consciously-made natural and organic shampoos, cleaners, conditioners and more.
Deneen Marcel Lashes
828 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
Add subtle glamour to your everyday look with lash lifts and extensions from Bryn Mawr’s Deneen Marcel Lashes. The salon also offers eyebrow styling and skin treatments, as well as strip lashes and other products at the black-owned site.
D’IYANU
910 E. Main St., Norristown
Inspired by a lack of ready-to-wear modern African-inspired clothing, Addie Elabor, along with her brother, Dara Ajayi, brought African-inspired prints to the United States in 2014. The men’s, women’s and children’s ready-to-wear lines include skirts, dresses, t-shirts, shorts and pants. D’IYANU is having a Black History Month sale on its site, with 15% off items this month only.
Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts
315 Westtown Rd., Ste. 9, West Chester
This dance studio offers wide varieties of dance styles for all ages. The founder and director, Diane Matthews, is one of the original members of Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco). Also a resident at this dance school is West Chester Dance Works, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dance company that provides opportunities for the surrounding community to experience the benefits of equally artistic and athletic movement.
Embellish Beauty
Owner Marcia Williams brings expertise from her time as a QVC hair and makeup artist to her makeup and hair services. Unlock your full beauty potential by booking haircuts, color and highlights, makeovers or bridal styling.
Girls Auto Clinic
7425 West Chester Pke., Upper Darby
Looking to empower and educate women about car care, Patrice Banks set out to create her own mechanic shop. In addition to maintenance and repairs, Banks offers her Shecanic workshops to teach women the fundamentals.
Holland & Milan Organics
Based out of Ardmore, this beauty and skincare line focuses exclusively on natural ingredients to make soaps, essential oil blends, facial cleansers, serums, face masks and more.
Jeantrix
160 N Gulph Rd., King of Prussia
Offering stylish, modern streetwear fashion out in King of Prussia, Jeantrix features a unique cultural identity worn by influencers from New York to Paris. The brand also hosts workshops, the latest of which focuses on denim. Both men’s and women’s styles are available here, so plan a visit to shop local and get ahead of the trends.
Mabel’s BBQ
607 E. Market St., West Chester
With the knowledge and techniques of generations before her, Mabel Spann brings some of the best brisket, fried chicken and barbecue ribs to the Main Line region. It’s all too easy to give into the temptation to take short cuts or speedy solutions, but Mabel’s does barbecue right. Cooking these items is an all-day affair, and it shows.
Mimi’s Favorite Things
228 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville
Get lost in a world of luxurious self-care and apparel items at this Coatesville shop. Michele Allen curates a selection of soap, bath bombs, lotions, balms, butters, jewelry, purses, artwork and teas made by local-owned, female and/or minority businesses.
Miss Winnie’s
211 E. Market St., West Chester
Dishing up creative Jamaican-inspired cuisine since 2017, this West Chester restaurant is the brainchild of Bert Johnston. Honoring his family’s heritage and the restaurant’s namesake (Winnifred Joyce Johnston), Johnston presents a culinary tour de force of the Caribbean islands. Dig into jerk chicken wings, jerk pork sandwiches, curry chicken platters or the Winnie Classic—a ground beef patty seasoned with jerk spices and topped with pickles and jicama slaw. Don’t miss the rum cake, plantain tarts or guava swirl cake for dessert.
Moody Jones Gallery
107B S. Easton Rd., Glenside
Owners Adrian Moody and Robyn Jones—the gallery’s namesakes—curate a monthly rotating selection of fine art. With a wide variety of paintings, the works of art are always interesting and evocative.
NBeauty Inc.
6 Greenfield Ave., Ardmore
Naeemah Johnson runs NBeauty Inc., a family-owned and -operated African American salon. Catering to hair types ranging from fine and thin hair to dense coils, NBeauty specialists with over 50 years of combined experience offer visitors the opportunity to treat their hair follicles right with stress-relieving scalp massages and more.
Salon Tenshi
859 Montgomery Ave., Narberth
After years of studying nourishing techniques, Brandy DaVila helps clients maintain healthy skin and hair through services like a two-part oil treatment meant to heal dandruff and a variety of other scalp ailments. The salon also specializes in color without damage to the scalp.
Still Beauty Brow Lounge
121 North Wayne Ave., Ste. 156, Wayne
Head on over to Wayne to indulge in facial and body waxing services for a unique and individual experience aimed to elevate your confidence and natural beauty. The lounge also offers brow stylings and makeup consultation.
Shugar Shack Soul Food
45 N. Chester Pke., Glenolden
Soul food takes center stage at this black-owned eatery and catering company in Glenolden. Choose from wings, jumbo shrimp, fried salmon and a bevy of fries.
The Tattooed Pig
4405 Pennell Rd., Aston
What began as a catering company in 2007 eventually morphed into a food truck and later a brick and mortar. Today, this Tex-Mex restaurant dishes up favorites like nachos, quesadillas, burritos and empanadas. Putting a twist on classics, the Texas tacos are must-tries. Burgers and sandwiches round out the extensive menu.
Related: A Look at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Impact on the Main Line Region
