DISCOVER Browse our Black business roundup, and catch up on all the reopening buzz

By Ebony Jones

Black in Business

When I was thinking of putting this list together, I often thought about traveling to those cities traditionally associated with deep-rooted history like Chicago or New York and visiting a small family business that’s made it to its fi fth generation of ownership. But then I remembered. That history is right here in Detroit. Whether it’s a tiny burger spot or decades-old ice cream shop, it means something to have community staples that greatgrandfathers visited as little boys and can now take their greatgrandsons to. These past few months have been tough on the city’s small businesses. The hard truth is that many won’t recover, but for the ones lucky enough to be reopening, they’re doing so to a public that’s hungry for change – and eager to shop Black.

Food and Beverage

Black and Mobile

This food delivery service with locations in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Detroit is the fi rst in the country that specifi cally partners with Black-owned restaurants.

REOPENING BUZZ: Visit their website for a complete list of partner restaurants.

COVID PREPARED: Currently offering contactless delivery.

blackandmobile.com

Narrow Way Cafe & Shop

Located on the Avenue of Fashion, this family-owned business offers a stress-free ambiance and a relaxing cup of your favorite coffee.

REOPENING BUZZ: Join the Narrow Way Stress-Free Java Club, and, every month, have 12-ounce bag of unique coffee delivered right to your doorstep. COVID PREPARED: Inside dining is currently closed, but stay tuned for reopening details.

19331 Livernois Ave., Detroit thenarrowwaycafe.com

Fresh Life Detroit

Photo By Starpointe Photography

Using local farmers and suppliers, this fresh juicing company helps Detroit-area communities cleanse, detox and create healthier habits.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently offering contactless delivery.

COVID PREPARED: To support their customers, Fresh Life rolled out recipes to build healthy digestive systems and immunity. They wear masks during all deliveries and additional safety measures are taken during juice prep.

freshlifedetroit.com

Detroit Vegan Soul

Enjoy spaghetti with meatballs, seitan pepper steak and mac and cheese without the guilt because it’s all vegan at this city favorite.

REOPENING BUZZ: The East Village location is currently closed, but the Grand River spot is open for curbside pickup.

COVID PREPARED: They’re only accepting credit and debit card payments at this time. The staff wear masks during prep and the dining room remains closed.

19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit detroitvegansoul.com

Yum Village

Located in the New Center area, this restaurant boasts strong African and Caribbean fl avors. You can opt for milder spices or tell them to bring on the heat.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently open for business as usual.

COVID PREPARED: The staff uses masks while preparing food, and guests are asked to stay six feet apart while placing orders.

6500 Woodward Ave, Detroit yumvillage.com

Everette's Natural Beauty School & Salon

Photo By Starpointe Photography

Health and Beauty

Everette’s Natural Beauty School & Salon

This family-owned and -operated full-service natural hair salon and beauty school specializes in braids, locs and twists for all your natural needs.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently accepting applications for four-week loc classes starting in October.

COVID PREPARED: Stations are sanitized before and after every use. Guests and staff are required to wear masks, and sanitizer and gloves are placed throughout the business and available for use.

River Park Lofts, 227 Iron St., Suite 133 Detroit everettes.com

Loose Massage Therapy

Gift yourself with a day of relaxation while supporting a business that has served Detroit for over 17 years. With its variety of affordable therapeutic massages and hot stone options, you are sure to find a service that meets your needs and budget.

REOPENING BUZZ: Reopening in July. Visit their website for up-to-date details and for operating hours.

COVID PREPARED: The staff is currently undergoing training to ensure cleaning and safety standards are being met before and after every guest.

16000 W. Nine Mile Road, Suite 410 Southfield lmtpmassagedeals.com

Diamond Smiles Dentistry

Headed by University of Michigan graduate Dr. Aisha Akpabio, this practice specializes in preventative care, general dentistry and restorative care.

REOPENING BUZZ: Take advantage of their reopening promo, and get an exam, cleaning and X-rays for $69.

COVID PREPARED: Patients must undergo two COVID-19 screenings before their appointment (one verbal and one written) as well as submit to a temperature check, and they’re encouraged to use the sanitation station upon entry to the offi ce. They’ve also decreased the time spent in the waiting room to reduce patients’ interaction with one another.

13334 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit

diamondsmilesdentistry.com

Moor Herbs

This west-side herbalist marketplace focuses on educating and supplying patrons with herbal remedies, alkaline water, healthy beauty products and plant-based meals and smoothies.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently offering electromagnetic body scanning.

COVID PREPARED: The store requires masks to be worn by staff and guests. They also encourage social distancing, and they’re focused on educating the community about building immunity and creating a clean diet.

16140 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit

moorherbs.com

Crescent Beauty Supply

Find everything you need to complete your beauty routine at this Black-owned beauty supply in Highland Park. Stop in to pick up your favorite conditioner or make an appointment with their makeup artist right in store.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently open for business as usual.

COVID PREPARED: Order online for curbside pickup or two-day delivery. If you’re ready to visit the store in person, products and the store are being sanitized and masks are required by staff and patrons.

14000 Woodward Ave., Highland Park

detroitbeautysupply.com

Fashion

W by Crystal White

This online curve-friendly athleisure brand offers functional and fashionable apparel and accessories for active lifestyles.

REOPENING BUZZ: They recently launched the “Look at Color” collection supporting racial equality by displaying powerful messages. To show their commitment, they’re donating a portion of proceeds to organizations working towards combating police brutality and racial inequality.

COVID PREPARED: They’re offering safer packaging featuring fewer touch points when processing orders, discontinuing returns of intimate items to reduce contamination, and practicing transparency with customers regarding delays or impacts to their orders.

wbycrystalwhite.com

LeeAnne’s Luxury Bridal Boutique

Photo By Sydney Kispert-Bostick

Located on Detroit’s west side in Rosedale Park, this bridal boutique checks all of the boxes that come with choosing a special gown for your special day.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently open by appointment only.

COVID PREPARED: For safety precautions, face masks are required in the store, and no more than three people are allowed with you during your appointment.

18724 Grand River Ave., Detroit

leeannesluxurybridal.com

Hot Sam’s

Providing custom men’s fashion since 1921, Hot Sam’s is a pillar in the Detroit fashion community. Whether you’re dressing for a night on the town, the boardroom or the big day, this is the place to fi nd your style.

REOPENING BUZZ: New operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

COVID PREPARED: Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are placed around the store for convenience.

127 Monroe Ave., Detroit hotsamsdetroit.com

Three Thirteen

If you’re looking for Detroit-inspired leisure, athletic wear or premium denim for your family, you’ll fi nd it all here.

REOPENING BUZZ: A new app will allow you to scan an item of clothing for a full description.

COVID PREPARED: Only 10 customers are allowed in the store at a time and they’re asked to stand six feet apart. Hand sanitizer is placed throughout the store, and masks must be worn inside at all times.

19495 Livernois Ave., Detroit 2642 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit threethirteenstore.com

Not Sorry Apparel

Located in The Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, this apparel brand boasts pride and unapologetic individuality.

REOPENING BUZZ: This apparel company is supporting Black youth and the LGBTQ community through special fundraisers and proceed donations.

COVID PREPARED: Online shopping is currently available, and they’ve added face masks and high-quality surgical caps for health care workers to the inventory.

22801 Woodward Ave., Ferndale

notsorryapparel.com

A Smorgasbord of Sorts

7 to 7 Cleaners

Committed to high-quality service, affordability and giving back to the community, owner Washington Youson follows in the path of Thomas Jennings, the fi rst Black man to hold a patent for dry scouring, a precursor to modernday dry cleaning.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently open. All first responders and health care workers get 10% off their first orders and can have any two-piece uniform cleaned for just $4.

COVID PREPARED: Only one customer at a time is allowed inside the store, and masks are required. The staff all wear aprons, masks and gloves when handling equipment and your clothing. You can also request a special fabric disinfectant.

19834 Kelly Road, Harper Woods

fb.com/7to7cleaners

The Cochrane House Luxury Historic Inn

Rest, work and play in this luxurious Italianate style bed-and-breakfast in the heart of Detroit. Complete with renovated modern bathrooms and an event space for intimate gatherings, this B&B is something to write home about.

REOPENING BUZZ: Reopening for reservations on Aug. 1. Promotions and specials are always under the “Special Offers” tab on their website.

COVID PREPARED: Along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cleaning guidelines, they limit guests in their event space to 25. Temperatures will be taken upon entry (below 100.4 F is required), masks are required to enter the building and sanitizer stations are placed strategically around the premises.

216 Winder St., Detroit

thecochranehouse.com

Art in Motion

Exercise and inspire your creativity at this ceramic studio and gallery. With youth summer camps and adult ceramic classes, you’ll be sure to fi nd something for every member in the family.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently open for business as usual.

COVID PREPARED: Patrons are asked to wear masks and are welcome to use provided hand sanitizer and gloves. There is a 10-person maximum in the store and during classes.

19452 Livernois Ave., Detroit

artinmotiondet.com

Love Travels Imports

Inside the gallery of Art in Motion curated with the spirit of helping our neighbors, this spot boasts high-quality artisan pieces from all over the globe. You are sure to fi nd a rare handmade treasure to satisfy your curiosity.

REOPENING BUZZ: Doors open to patrons in July.

COVID PREPARED: They’re currently offering contactless delivery and curbside pickup. All products for sale have been cleaned and sanitized.

19452 Livernois Ave., Detroit

lovetravelsimports.com

Detroit Book City

Nestled in a multipurpose building on Detroit’s west side, you’ll fi nd this book store chock-full of the greatest compositions for expanding our minds.

REOPENING BUZZ: Currently closed to walkin patrons.

COVID PREPARED: Online ordering, plus virtual book fairs and dialogues, are planned and available every week.

24361 Greenfield Road, Suite 305, Southfield

detroitbookcity.com