Black-Owned is Good for Rochester. From wine bars, bakeries, revolutionary coffee-brands to trendy restaurants – there are many Black-owned businesses that serve the Rochester community, and many great opportunities to support Black entrepreneurship.

Check out this roundup of some of the Black-owned businesses in Rochester and make a plan to  pay these businesses a visit during your next trip to Rochester

 

Good for Unwinding

  • Taste the flavors of New York State at Red White and Brew of Rochester— a tap and tasting room that focuses on serving craft beverages from wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the Finger Lakes and New York State.
  • Whether you’re looking for a full-bodied cabernet or a cool glass of chardonnay, Apogee Wine Bar has the wine selection – and ambiance – that’ll make a visit part of your wind-down, date night or weekend ritual.
  • We’re always in favor of businesses that allow you to “treat yourself” – and The Mobile Spa makes it convenient to get pampered on your own time! The Mobile Spa is a fully equipped, on-the-go spa company providing premium spa treatments in the privacy of your own home, office or private getaway. Services include face and skin treatments, body polishes and laser hair removal.
  • Freshen your home or workspace with calming scents from a local candle company. Rosy Candle Co., a mother/daughter chandler duo specializing in eco-friendly home fragrance products. Rochester-based Light My Candle Co. offers soy candles and wax melts, including the Rochester-inspired lilac scent. Light My Candle Co. owner Lauren is a full-time teacher in the Rochester City School District by day, and candle maker by night.

 

Good for Self-care

  • The Groom Room Men’s Spa Lounge is the first Black-owned day spa dedicated solely to Men’s health and wellness in the City of Rochester. The spa is owned and operated by Monique Chatman, a native of the city who is a dual-licensed professional in Aesthetics and Nail Care Specialty, with several years of experience in the skin care industry. The Groom Room offers a number of services tailored to men (although women are welcome, too!) including manicures, pedicures, facials and other skin services, and massages.
  • IslandFit’s mission is to provide each individual with the opportunity to exceed their fitness expectations. Stop in for their high-intensity interval training (HIIT), cycling, yoga or personal/group training classes.
  • Enhance and maintain your crown with a fresh cut and great conversation at Creative Cuts Barbershop. You’ll find a dedicated staff of barbers who listen to your needs and go above and beyond your expectations.
  • Honey B Home & Essentials offers products specializing in bath and body, from home goods to baby and kids. There’s something for everyone seeking affordable home décor and everyday essentials.
  • Looking for a new spot to grab a refreshing smoothie or milkshake? Check out B+ Healthy Fresh Food Market. They are on a mission to provide inner city communities with health food stores that assist in eliminating food deserts, and the health disparities that persist as a result. Located on Genesee Street, B+ Healthy Fresh Food Market’s menu features smoothie, juices, wellness shots and veggie wraps.
  • Sometimes a little retail therapy can go a long way. Check out MansaWear on Park Avenue for beautiful custom-made Ghanaian (West Africa) clothing. Or visit Women of Color New York, a one-stop shop that brings eight woman business owners under one roof. The businesses within Women of Color New York include boutiques and the Dessert Bar & Bistro, along with beauty and wellness services.


Good Food, Good for the Soul

  • Fill your stomach and soul with breakfast, lunch or dinner at Granny’s Kitchen, a family-restaurant specializing in soul food on E. Main Street in Rochester.
  • Island Wraps will quickly turn in to your new go-to for Caribbean & American cuisine and is a proudly woman-owned, family restaurant. 
  • Home to the world-famous loaded jerk chicken fries, Side Bar’s food menu is a jerk fusion of Caribbean and American flare to satisfy your taste buds. Cocktails, art and great networking make Side Bar the place to be. (Pro tip: The Side Kick Jerk Sauce is available for purchase!)
  • Bold and Gritty is a coffee-focused lifestyle brand, established as a vehicle to tell the stories of Black men who have persevered against all odds to achieve their wildest dreams and visions – and to normalize their success. Enjoy some culture with that brew. Bold and Gritty coffee is available at New City Café, Ugly Duck Coffee, the Store @ MAG and Lori’s Natural Foods. You may also find the Bold & Gritty team serving up cups of coffee with a pop up at the Rochester Public Market or the Rochester Commissary.
  • When you’re in the mood for some really good ramen, ROC City Ramen’s got you covered. You can also order curry dishes, sushi and Japanese-style fried rice!
  • As the debate on who has the best chicken sandwich wages on, just remember that Cluck if You Buck is home to some pretty awesome “sammiches!”
  • Another great option for Caribbean cuisine is Peppa Pot. They’re serving up delectable dishes to soothe that craving for the Jamaican dishes you know and love!
  • Enjoy year-round, flavorful barbeque from Bubby’s BBQ. The perfect catering option for your next event, their full menu allows you to pair your choice of meats and sides to serve up a delicious meal. They also offer collaborations and pop-ups.


Good for Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

  • Nothing Bundt Cakes: It’s in the name! Choose from a variety of flavors and sizes, all topped with their signature frosting. This bakery franchise is celebrated across the country, and luckily, that includes the ROC, where it is locally owned by Teresa Blake.
  • Though it may be called The Little Brownie, this bakery is known for its jumbo-sized cookies and brownies. And as an added bonus, all of The Little Brownie’s items are 100% gluten free and vegan.
  • There’s something about the words “brown sugar” that are both warming and comforting – just like the sweet treats found at The Brown Suga Co. & Cookie Boutique! Satisfy that sweet tooth and enjoy traditional, specialty and vegan cookie options.

 

Good for Business

  • Planning a meeting, event, concert, performance or reunion? Check out the Legacy Drama House in the City of Rochester, a “venue with variety!” Legacy Drama House can host up to 170 guests in a beautiful space.
  • Contact Image Printers for your next printing project. Image Printers offers customers offset and digital printing, medium commercial publishing, graphic design, wide format, posters, banners and more. The Image Printers team also publishes Upstate NY Gospel Magazine.
  • Capture engaging photos at your next event, update your professional headshot or keep those images on your website looking sharp with services by Todd Fleming Photography. Specialization areas include business and entertainment headshots, commercial photography and video, and 360 product photography/business tours.
  • Jackie McGriff, owner of Jackie Photography, is a portrait, editorial, and event photographer as well as a documentary filmmaker. Jackie’s mission is to provide a safe space and platform for teens, women, and Black, Brown, and Indigenous people to embrace their bodies, live unapologetically, and share their stories.
  • Panther Graphics has served the Rochester community for 30 years and is a full-service, award-winning commercial printing provider offering digital and offset commercial printing, bindery, hand-finishing, fulfillment, inventory management and mailing services.
  • ViewSignage is a digital signage and marketing company that combines powerful programming with creative intelligence to deliver your imagination to the screen, whether on desktop, phone, tablet, your digital signage installation – or all of the above.

 

*View even more info on Black-Owned businesses in Rochester via the links below*