by: Sydney Kate Watson, DHI Communications Intern
Do you shop vintage at the Goody Vault? Enjoy the cheesy goodness of Mac and Snacks? Have you redefined your look with a lash appointment at Lash Belle? All of these awesome Downtown experiences are brought to you by African American business owners! Since today is Juneteenth, we wanted to highlight the wonderful African American-owned businesses in our Downtown Core. If you are unfamiliar with Juneteenth, it is the annual celebration of emancipation in the United States. June 19 was chosen because, on this day in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War was over and slaves were now free. In honor of the date and Granger’s announcement, the day became Juneteenth, and the holiday is also known as African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. If you’re looking to shop at and support African American owned businesses in the Downtown Core for the Juneteenth Holiday, here are some you should check out: Black Pine Boutique & Style Clinic, Dapper Dude, Dionicios Closet, Goody Vault, Huntsville Gear, Lash Belle, Paper Dollz Traveling Boutique, Laquience Boutique, Ron Pollard Photo, Scenethat Tours, and Trifecta Graphics and Personalization. Also, since yesterday was our Food Truck Rally, we want to give a shout-out to our delicious African American owned Food Trucks, Trailers, and tents: Betty Jo’s, Delicious, Forever Grateful, LLC, Happi Pappi Beignets, Mac & Snacks, O Taste & See BBQ LLC, and Regale Cupcakes.
This past week we spoke with a few local African American small business owners: Ericka Edwards - Lash Belle, Lorna Roberts - Blackpine Boutique & Style Clinic, Bryan Cole and Shayquawn Austin - Huntsville Gear, and Emanuel Edwards - Goody Vault. By asking different questions, we discovered who these business owners are and the uniqueness their stores bring to Huntsville’s collection of diverse small businesses.
Erika Edwards - Lash Belle
Why did you decide to open your business? I became a Mom immediately following college. I couldn’t find a career that allowed me to have the flexibility to be with my children as much as I desired. Becoming a mompreneur has allowed me to be with my children as much as possible and connect with other women to not only make them feel and look gorgeous but we are able to share Motherhood tips!
What is unique about your business? Our quality of work, precision, cleanliness, and professionalism make us a unique, centrally located small business.
Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)! I am a Mom of two (Zoë and Ace), I love crafting, laughing until my belly hurts, gardening, jogging, and reading.
What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?
The best way for our community members to support Lash Belle would be to share your experience with us with others. We love word-of-mouth referrals!
Lorna Roberts - Blackpine Boutique & Style Clinic
Why did you decide to open your business? Honestly, I always thought about opening a boutique and made every excuse why it wasn't TIME. It took going through financial changes during the pandemic for me to step out on FAITH and trust the Most High. 3 months into entrepreneurship and God has sustained me.
What is unique about your business? Blackpine Boutique offers an eclectic collection of modern and vintage statement pieces. My goal is not only to provide one-of-a-kind statement pieces but to help women understand there's power in clothes. When you LOOK good...you FEEL good. PERIOD!!!!
Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)! The Black Pineapple (though not actually black in color) is the national fruit of Antigua, W.I ; the land of my parents and my ancestors. It is said to be the SWEETEST pineapple in the world. Blackpine Boutique is my contribution to fashion, to my culture, and my family.
What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?
Currently, Blackpine Boutique conducts virtual live sales via our FB business page Blackpine Boutique & Consignment as well as offering specialized styling sessions via zoom and by appointment at our downtown studio.
Bryan Cole and Shayquawn Austin - Huntsville Gear
Why did you decide to open your business? We were having a casual conversation on the phone one day. When the topic of what Huntsville does not have came up, and we both laughed and started a full Huntsville Merchandise store. That's when Bryan pulled up some ideas that he once created months ago with Huntsville on every design. I guess you can call it divine intervention or faith.
What is unique about your business? We are Huntsville Alabama's first full branded merchandise line. Everything created has Huntsville as its main focus.
Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)!
Bryan and Shayquawn are the true definitions of a dynamic duo, we each hone skill sets that are perfect for the new Huntsville Gear store. Bryan Cole is the genius behind marketing and branding, with a history of being a creative powerhouse behind many brands with products on the Oprah Network, Walmart, Ulta, Target just to name a few. He is committed to bringing a fresh outlook on branding the city of Huntsville. Shayquawn Austin puts the gear in Huntsville Gear with his resilient passion for bringing the community together wherever he places his feet, working as a youth pastor at the Rock Worship Center his mission for loving people and bringing everyone together is in a class of its own.
What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?
By supporting the business and letting everyone know how much you love Huntsville by wearing some Huntsville Gear official t-shirts, hoodies, and other accessories and merchandise. Please visit us at 100 Jefferson St N Suite 105.
Emanuel Edwards - Goody Vault
Why did you decide to open your business? To pursue a goal of starting my own business.
What is unique about your business? Each garment is handpicked and curated in a way to inspire and uplift.
Tell us about yourself (hobbies, fun facts, connection to Huntsville, etc.)!
I love to fly fish, and I love to eat tamales.
What would be the best way for our community members to support your small business?
Come visit the shop, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @goodyvault, tell someone about the Goody Vault, and purchase our garments online at www.thegoodyvault.com.
So, next time you eat some O Taste and See BBQ or get style advice from Dapper Dude, make sure to remember the uniqueness of the African American Businesses Downtown and how their hard work continually improves our community. We challenge you to come out to Downtown Huntsville this Juneteenth and support these businesses however you can!