While Old Town Alexandria is becoming a popular destination for small business owners to flourish, it’s not always easy for customers to find Black-owned businesses to support.
If you’re interested in learning more about Black-owned businesses where you can shop, dine, eat or find useful professional services, here are six to get you started. Check out a few Black-owned businesses in our Old Town Alexandria community!
Common Plate Hospitality: Co-owned by Larry Walston and Chad Sparrow, this contemporary American restaurant blends innovative architectural design, creative culinary offerings, and craft bar programs to create an elegant dining experience for guests. Some of the most popular menu items include 10 mouth-watering mussel flavors, Augie’s cheesesteak paired with a seasonal beer, or mason fried chicken with a parker gray cocktail.
Harambee Books & Artworks: Harambee Books & Artworks, is an independent bookstore based in Old Town of Alexandria VA, maintaining a selection of literature and artwork that focuses on African culture from ancient civilization to modern society, and other subject categories such as Brothers and Sisters, Race & Culture, Street Life, and Autobiography.
They also provide educational resources, reading programs, and community-based events to improve literacy skills and foster parental engagement!
Manumission Tour Company: Manumission Tour Company curates guided cultural heritage tours designed to highlight Alexandria’s extensive African American History. They offer walking tours every weekend from February thru December. Some of their most popular services include personalized small group tours and step-on tour services for bus trips.
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats: If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in for a real treat visiting this 1950s-inspired, walk-up gourmet frozen custard and donut shack. The vibe of this eatery is influenced by Dick Clarks’ American Bandstand-dominated TV, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and Chubby Checkers ruled the jukeboxes. Some of the most popular menu items are turtle pecan sundae, banana pudding recovery shake, apple cider donutwhich, and other creative treats.
Sunflowers Healing and Wellness: This virtual healing arts center provides a wide array of services for every member of the family (even the furry ones!), including hypnotherapy, energy healing, life coaching, and birth services. All of their services are client focused and designed to promote well-being. Owner and founder Lindsey Vick invites you to work with her team of practitioners for proven tools to affect all areas of life, from relationships to careers to birth and more. The most popular services they offer are hypnotherapy, reiki, life coaching, and an array of childbirth support services.
Frolick Dogs: Old Town’s first and only dog gym, Frolock Dogs is committed to canine wellness. They provide an indoor space where you can bring your dogs year-round to stay fit, strengthen your bond, reinforce good behavior, and have fun. Some of the most popular services are obedience training, agility and other group classes, and event space for doggie birthday parties.
In addition to making a living, Old Town Alexandria is a diverse community with a deep history. Visit and learn about Black-owned businesses that are working to share and preserve Black culture. Hopefully, the Ashland Hughes list helps to serve as a resource as you learn more about our rich, historical town.
At Ashland Hughes, our private, executive office spaces are ideal for the independent business professional or government contractor, who wants privacy, in a quiet, sophisticated environment.
We are as serious about your business as you are, which is why you can rent a secure, meticulously maintained, private office space for a fraction of the cost in Old Town Alexandria. It’s also a fraction of the cost of shared office space, with none of the “noise” or interruptions of co-working spaces.