Celebrate Valentine’s Day While Supporting Black-owned Brooklyn Businesses
Strolling through any Brooklyn street right now and window shopping neighborhood storefronts, you’re likely to be greeted by red hearts, pink balloons, teddy bears and long-stem roses. And while these are tried and true Valentine’s Day favorites, we also like the idea of thinking a little outside the (heart-shaped) box.
Whether you are celebrating your love for a partner, friend, relative or yourself this month, we’ve rounded up some creative ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day while supporting Black-owned Brooklyn businesses.
Comfort Food Brunch at 2 Chix
Bed-Stuy
Though they’re closed on Tuesdays, Black/women-owned 2 Chix is a great place to kick off your Valentine’s Day earlier in the week. Sip on dreamy mocktails and indulge in comfort foods like waffles, loaded fries, and mac and cheese amid pink tables and chairs.
2 Chix
1022 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
Delightful Bottle Selection at Good Wine
Photo courtesy of Good Wine
Park Slope
One of only a handful of Black-owned wine shops in the U.S., Good Wine has made headlines in recent months as they struggle to stay open. Help them along by purchasing a bottle of red, white, orange, rose, bubbly, port, sake or cider to complement a romantic dinner—or take a wine class with your loved one or yourself.
Good Wine
327 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Inventive Flavors at Cloudy Donut
Brooklyn Heights
Grapefruit mimosa, blood orange, red velvet, cotton candy, raspberry lemonade and mint chocolate chip are just some of the unique flavors at Cloudy Donut, a Black-owned vegan doughnut shop. If you happen to be celebrating Valentine’s Day with your dog, they also have Puppy Treats aka doughnuts for dogs.
Cloudy Donut
14 Columbia Pl
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Capture Memories with Help From Photodom
Bushwick
Film photography is making a comeback, so whether you’re shopping for a Valentine who has yet to discover their photography hobby, your camera-enthusiast self or simply want to grab some supplies, Photodom can help you capture all the special people, animals and places you love in life.
Photodom
1717 Broadway #310
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Home Goods and Novelty Gifts at Peace & Riot
Photo courtesy of Peace & Riot
Bed-Stuy
From candles to coffee table books, pillows to ottomans, kitchen gadgets to stationery, and everything in between, the carefully curated items at Peace & Riot are easy to fall in love with. And with so many different types of gifts in the store, you are sure to find something your Valentine will appreciate.
Peace & Riot
401-403 Tompkins Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Fix Up Their Bike at Tuned
Gowanus
If your loved one’s bike has been collecting dust, gift them a tune-up at Tuned, a boutique bike repair shop that opened up during the pandemic. Bicycle enthusiast/owner Tijon Randall and his team have more than 20 years’ experience working in shops throughout the city and offer a menu of bike services that include adjustments, builds, tune-ups, safety checks and washes.
Tuned
291 Nevins St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
A Health Boost at Hibiscus Brew
Photo courtesy of Hibiscus Brew
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
At Black/woman-owned Hibiscus Brew, treat your date—or yourself—to a colorful organic smoothie or yogurt bowl, grab a healthy entree or sweet treat, or satisfy a caffeine craving. Holiday bonus: The white interior with pink accents gives off major V-Day vibes.
Hibiscus Brew
546 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Soulful Seafood Dinner at Sweet Catch
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Rooted in “African cuisine, via South Carolina,” the mouthwatering menu at Sweet Catch features shareable starters and sides like cornbread with chipotle honey butter, crab dip with plantain chips, market oysters, cajun fries, and the Holy Trinity — macaroni and cheese, collard greens and candied yams. Mains include fried lobster & corncake waffle, BBQ cauliflower steak and shrimp & grits.
Sweet Catch
1222 Nostrand Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Jazz at Williamsburg Music Center
Williamsburg
Among the last remaining Black-owned Brooklyn jazz clubs, Williamsburg Music Center is an intimate spot for an idyllic NYC date night right out of a movie scene. Music lovers huddle along exposed brick walls overlooking the small wooden stage jam-packed with musicians and instruments that often spill on to the floor.
Williamsburg Music Center
367 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
A Bouquet From Les’ Blooms Floral
Photo courtesy of Les’ Bloom Floral
Flatbush/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
You can’t go wrong with flowers and Les’ Blooms is sure to please with their elegant arrangements and pleasant, knowledgeable staff.
Les’ Blooms Floral
65A Fenimore St #1
Brooklyn NY, 11225
Cake at DOC D’s Southern Desserts
Bed-Stuy
The self-proclaimed Doctor of Cakes with the precision to match, Darrell Oswald Christopher Darwood (aka Doc) is known for serving signature cakes by the slice, whole or in cupcake form, as well as delicious bread pudding at DOC D’s Southern Desserts.
DOC D’s Southern Desserts
214 Bainbridge St
Brooklyn, NY 11233
Looking for more ways to support the Black community in NYC? Browse our list of Black-owned Brooklyn vegan restaurants, discover more Black-owned Brooklyn businesses, and learn about NYC Black history and Black History Month.
