Discover some of our favorite Black-owned businesses conveniently located near NYC Ferry landings. From delicious treats to unique shops, these establishments are worth exploring not just in February—but all year long!
Cloudy Donuts
Route: South Brooklyn
Landing: Atlantic Ave
Indulge your sweet tooth with delectable 100% vegan donuts at Cloudy Donuts, located near the Atlantic Ave landing. With plenty of innovative flavors like Strawberry Lemonade and Margarita, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
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Beauty Strike
Route: Astoria
Landing: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Pamper yourself at Beauty Strike near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This beauty haven offers a range of services, from facials to laser hair removal, ensuring you leave feeling refreshed and confident.
Rustik Tavern
Route: Astoria
Landing: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Rustik Tavern prioritizes community and hospitality through local sourcing and a welcoming ambiance. Known for top-notch food, a vibrant patio, and flavors reminiscent of home-cooked meals, Rustik Tavern is a go-to spot.
Filé Gumbo Bar
Route: St. George
Landing: Battery Park City
Savor the flavors of the south at Filé Gumbo Bar. Indulge in authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine that’s sure to transport your taste buds.
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Soco BK
Route: Astoria
Landing: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Elevate your dining experience at Soco BK. This restaurant offers a fusion of Southern comfort food with a contemporary twist and is known for its delicious brunch.
Black Cake
Route: Astoria
Landing: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Founded by Angela Price in 1987, The Black Cake Company (formerly Caribbean Cake Connoisseurs) started as a mail-order business specializing in Black Cakes. Originating from Barbados, Angela’s passion for sharing Caribbean fruit cake traditions led to a global presence, with products available on their website and Amazon. Committed to quality and community, Angela continues to steer the company’s growth, offering a variety of gourmet cakes and inspiring others on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Route: South Brooklyn, East River
Landing: DUMBO
Founded in May 2017 by three independent Black creatives, DA SPOT is a Brooklyn-based retail space showcasing over 50 independent Black and POC-owned creative brands, offering locally made clothing, art accessories, jewelry, home goods, and lifestyle products. Beyond being a boutique, DA SPOT serves as an economic connector and creative catalyst, hosting workshops, business panels, pitch competitions, and live events to foster community engagement and collaboration.
Route: South Brooklyn, Rockaway
Landing: Brooklyn Army Terminal
Check out this shop offering up a wide variety of vintage games, clothing, baseball cards and other collectibles.
Route: South Brooklyn
Landing: Bay Ridge
Unwind and rejuvenate at The Smooth Skin Company in Bay Ridge. This Black-owned spa provides a range of skincare services to leave you feeling pampered and refreshed.
NYC-Based online business
Yam offers a variety of different types of custom-made jewelry. The shop focuses on upcycled material and partners with small vendors to empower customers through insightful supply education.
Create The Culture
NYC-Based online business
Create the Culture offers a wide range of textile art through hand embroidery and hand-guided vintage chain stitch. Choose from clothing, accessories, home goods and more.
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Patsy’s Rum Cakes
NYC-Based online business
Patsy’s Rum Cake is primarily an online business, but you can also find these yummy Carribean-inspired rum cakes at NYC pop-ups and farmer’s markets.
Jypsys Junk
NYC-Based online business
Jypsys Junk, a fashion accessories company and lifestyle brand, represents stylish women from diverse backgrounds. All products, meticulously designed and crafted in their Brooklyn, NY studio, reflect a commitment to making individuals feel love and passion for their unique selves, fostering mutual inspiration with their customers.
Roc-A-Natural
NYC-Based online business
Illuminate natural beauty from within through proper nutrition, exercise, and a focus on healthy hair at Roc-A-Natural. With experience as a featured hair model in Essence Magazine and New York Magazine’s Look Book, the founder aims to provide resources and connections to support success in the hair care, health, and beauty industries, fostering a healthier and empowering platform for stylists and consumers in the greater tri-state area.
Pixie Pods
Mobile Business in NYC
In March 2020, facing unemployment amid the pandemic, Teacher Porsha transitioned to a new role as a full-time nanny for an energetic little girl. Witnessing the child’s love for dance, Porsha initiated weekly ballet lessons, discovering a profound passion for teaching and child development. Three months later, this passion gave rise to “Pixie Pods,” a mobile enrichment studio offering dance, music, and acrobatic education for children under 9 in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, with a mission to create a positive, inclusive learning environment.