Boston Moms loves to support local! We are excited to share some of our favorite Black-owned businesses — in Boston and beyond — as sourced by our writing team.
Specialty Food and Drink
Little Cocoa Bean Company
Greater Boston and beyond
When Boston Moms writer Tracy Skelly’s daughter was born, she realized she was unable to find the nutrient-dense, pre-packaged, culturally diverse baby food her little one needed to thrive. She created the Little Cocoa Bean Company to fill this void. Little Cocoa Bean strives to provide families with access to vital information about nutrition, along with the tools and services they need to thrive during their child’s first 1,000 days of life. Little Cocoa Bean also offers a chic tot cafe in Boston, where parents and their little ones can eat, play, learn, and connect to create a thriving community.
Urban Grape
303 Columbus Avenue, Boston
Located in Boston, the Urban Grape is one of the most successful and award-winning wine stores in America. Urban Grape is not only one of Boston’s Black-owned small businesses, it’s woman-owned and dedicated to building community through beverage.
Shea Butter Smoothies
777 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston
If you are looking for a health boost but don’t want to sacrifice delicious flavor, look no further than Shea Butter Smoothies. From superfood smoothies to fresh-squeezed juices, nutrition has never been so refreshing! And doesn’t a smoothie bowl sound like the absolute perfect dessert?
Restaurants
BRED Gourmet
2255 Dorchester Avenue, Boston
BRED Gourmet founder Tambo Barrow has a passion for burgers, and it shows. Drool-worthy recipes such as the Maui burger (featuring grilled pineapple, pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, sweet plantains, grilled ham, and M&M Ribs’ BBQ sauce) adorn the menu, alongside delicious smoothies and decadent salads. A must-try for any foodie!
Maxine’s On Saint James
304 Dudley Street, Roxbury (617) 207-0551
If you are looking for southern goodness, look no further than Maxine’s! Cooking up old-fashioned soul food, their menu includes favorites such as jambalaya and chicken and sausage gumbo. And don’t forget to order the baked mac and cheese — it definitely IS something to write home about!
Ripple Cafe
1906 Dorchester Avenue, Boston
314 Main Street, Cambridge
With its original location in the Ashmont T station and a new spot near MIT in Cambridge, Ripple Cafe serves up something for any kind of appetite! Whether you are looking for bacon or vegan steak, your taste buds will thank you! If you aren’t in the mood for a killer cup of coffee, try the fresh fruit smoothies. They are as beautiful as they are delicious!
Gourmet Kreyòl
Greater Boston
Follow the Flamingo to find the Kreyòl flavor! Chef Nathalie grew up in Miami, where she watched her parents run one of the most successful Haitian restaurants in the area. She brought the amazing flavors to Boston, by way of a brightly colored food truck! Find the Flamingo, reserve some catering, or book her for your events!
Baked Goods and Ice Cream
Clarke’s Cakes & Cookies
Available online and in various retail locations
Clarke’s Cakes & Cookies is a woman-owned, family-supported business that offers delicious vegan treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their mission is to provide ethical plant-based products that do not compromise flavor. They are a new-generation bakery with good old-fashioned taste.
Mama O’s Bakery
Framingham
Mama O has something for EVERYONE. And, she ships!
Tipping Cow Ice Cream
415 Medford Street, Somerville
Tipping Cow Ice Cream is a little scoop of heaven in Somerville. Their handmade, gourmet ice cream is available in seasonal flavors, and they even offer vegan and dairy-free options! And Tipping Cow doesn’t stop at ice cream — they also handcraft hot chocolate, milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and affogatos, as well as nut-free baked goods that are made from scratch right at the shop.
Health and Beauty
4 Corners Yoga + Wellness
336 Washington Street, Dorchester
4 Corners Yoga + Wellness believes yoga should be for everyBODY. In this body-positive space, the dedicated team offers a safe, welcoming, and culturally affirming sanctuary for the community to participate in bodywork treatments, workshops, and classes.
Pink & Pretty Nail Salon
107 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester
In 2020, mother and daughter team Dana Bonner and Florence Taylor fulfilled their dream of opening a nail salon. Guests at Pink & Pretty Nail Salon experience a chill zone where customers feel relaxed as they get a beautiful manicure or pedicure!
Baby O and I Consulting
Greater Boston
If you are looking to help your little one get some much-needed zzzzz’s, look no further than Jensine Casey! Jensine is a certified pediatric sleep consultant with a master’s in early childhood — she will be the answer to your sleepy time prayers!
Nessa Hill
Shop online
Tamika Reid, the woman behind Nessa Hill, is on a mission to affirm the beauty of all hair types. She wants us to know that good hair is healthy hair, and it comes in many forms; kinky, curly, wavy, bone-straight, and in every color of the rainbow. Online at Nessa Hill, you can purchase comfortable and lush satin bonnets to help keep moisture in and frizz away. You can also buy sleep masks, shower caps, pillowcases, and more.
Giftshops
Fusion Dolls
Fusion Dolls specializes in multicultural, biracial, and Black dolls and accessories. Every doll is created with love and care. Each comes with their very own custom outfit, stylish curly hair, vinyl body, and a movable head.
Artifact Soapworks
1770 Massachusetts Avenue, PMB 621, Cambridge
If you are tired of plain, boring, square bars of soap, you are going to love Artifact Soapworks! These luxurious vegan soaps are molded into beautiful and unique shapes, giving them the appearance of artifacts!
Bos. Shop
623 Tremont Street, Boston
This curated boutique gift shop features 20+ brands — all Black-owned businesses! — under one roof! From home goods to beauty products, there is something for everyone inside the Bos. Shop!
Frugal Bookstore
57 Warren Street, Roxbury
Frugal Bookstore, the only Black-owned bookstore in Boston, was voted the Best of Boston in 2020, and for good reason! They love everything about books! This community bookstore is passionately dedicated to promoting literacy, not only in children but in teens and adults too. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a book in your hand, and this is the perfect place to pick one out!
Lumiere Rene Candle Company
Braintree
Each of Lumiere Rene’s beautiful candles is made with coconut soy wax, phthalate-free fragrance, and essential oils to ensure they burn clean and produce toxin-free scents. The candles are hand-poured in small batches. You can even book a candle-making experience!
Have a favorite Black-owned business in the Boston area to share with our readers? Let us know!
