Red Tricycle is an anti-racist company against the systemic racism toward Black people and all people of color. We stand for justice, equality and humanity, and we support our Black families, co-workers, partners and community. One of the ways to do that directly is by supporting Black-owned businesses, many of which have already been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Black-owned businesses in San Diego below. Read on to learn about these truly amazing businesses founded by exceptional, creative, inventive people. From skateboards that double as works of art, vegan cookies that seem too good to be true, and an extraordinary banana pudding from a generations-old secret recipe, to a coffee shop that fosters community and the best barber shop for a fade.
Garden of Fragrance
Garden of Fragrance is a black family owned shop in Oak Park. It's a hidden gem of fragrances, home goods and self care products. They’ve been around almost 30 years, they’re always giving back to the community and they call their store their Urban Gift Shop!
Online: gardenoffragrance.com
Instagram: @gardenoffragrance
CurlyKids & CurlyChic Hair
CurlyKids and their sister brand CurlyChic are black owned, family operated out of San Diego, and women led. The products are available at Target, Walmart, Sally Beauty, Kroger and independent beauty supply stores throughout Southern California and the world!
Maya’s Cookies
Maya was looking for the perfect vegan cookie: crispy-on-the-outside and gooey-on-the-inside. Unable to find it, she created a cookie recipe herself. Soon, she was a local celebrity with moms and kids––which inspired her to open Maya’s Cookies. Voted San Diego's Best Vegan Baked Goods in 2017 and 2018, Maya's decadent cookie flavors range from chocolate chip and caramel pecan to funfetti and gluten-free s’ mores. You’ll love them all! There are three ways to get Maya’s cookies. You can order online for mail delivery, order online for pickup (on Saturdays), or visit one of the local San Diego shops or Farmer’s markets that carry her cookies.
Online: mayascookies.com
Finesse Skateboard Decks
Steven and Rod James founded a quintessential SoCal business with Finesse, a skate and lifestyle company. Steven James was passionate about art, anime, comic books, and video games growing up. Now, he creates special licensed graphics on skateboards, accessories, and apparel. Finesse encourages youth to follow their dreams and supports talented skaters from coast-to-coast. Check out the collection online and order an epic deck today. Kids will be especially fond of the Sonic Hedgehog Rings Deck! Follow Finesse on Instagram to get a glimpse of Steven drawing his amazing deck designs.
Online: finesseproducts.bigcartel.com
Extraordinary Banana Pudding
You'll go absolutely bananas for this pudding! Stop by and order-up an aptly named extraordinary banana pudding from this recently opened shop. It's the only banana pudding shop in the United States! San Diego native Toran Grays opened this sweet spot in honor of his late great-grandmother's banana pudding recipe! It had been her dream to open a pudding place, and now Gray has brought her dream to life. He wants everyone to enjoy this "American staple" that makes him think of being a kid again whenever he eats it. Made with the finest ingredients, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied. You’ll also find other creative pudding flavors including pistachio, red velvet, chocolate banana, and butterscotch. Even more, try the banana pudding taco! Additionally, there are gluten-free flavors that change daily.
8257 El Paso
La Mesa, CA 91942
Online: extraordinarybananapudding.com
Lovely Leaps
Lovely Leaps dance studio teaches love of movement and inclusion one leap at a time. Lovely Leaps owner Lisa McCabe, an African American engineer turned dance instructor, focuses on making dance fun and developing key motor skills for kids ages 10 months - 10 years by growing their confidence and comfort in their own bodies.
Good news for parents! At Lovely Leaps they’re keeping the rhythm alive through free virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids all over the world! Just because studios are closed due to social distancing, doesn’t mean kids have to miss out on building their dance skills, confidence, and love of movement.
Free virtual classes take place on Wed. & Thurs. There's also a monthly Performance for a Princess so kids can stay engaged and build their performance skills with a magical experience.
Once studios get the all clear to reopen, Lovely Leaps intends to keep classes small and will provide hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and temperature checks. In addition, Lovely Leaps will be available via Zoom, giving families the opportunity to dance in whatever way fits best.
1740 La Costa Meadows Dr., #250
San Marcos, CA 92078
760-539-2543
Online: lovelyleaps.com
Spoiled Vegans Cafe
Vegan grab-n-go! Whether it’s the Spoil Yourself breakfast sandwich with sourdough muffin, sausage, JUST Egg folded patty, cheddar cheese, seasoned hash brown, and house-made maple mustard or the Chimichurri breakfast sandwich with sourdough muffin, breakfast sausage, JUST Egg folded patty, smoked gouda cheese, fresh spinach, and house-made chimichurri aioli, order either and you’ll know why they sell out so quickly.
East Village
San Diego, CA 92101
Online: spoiledveganscafe.com
Rhythm's Chicken and Waffles
If you love chicken and waffles, then Rhythm's Chicken and Waffles is your spot! You can order through GrubHub or head to their shop in Pacific Beach. One local fave is the chicken and waffle sandwich with crispy fried chicken between a delicious Belgian waffle topped with cheese and bacon. Good to know, ordering for delivery may be the way to go, because the store in Pacific Beach has been busy and has longer wait times.
1136 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
Online: rhythmanddesserts.com
AJ’s Creole
Craving deep fried powdered sugar goodness? Order-up beignets at AJ’s food truck. Then, it’s time for a cajun meal. Our faves include the Holy Trinity Slider with smok’d pulled pork and a mac’n saucy cheese on butta’ bread or the Creole chicken bites and mac'n cheese (good for the kiddos!). AJ's food truck pops-up in different spots from 4S Ranch to the Gaslamp neighborhood, and they start delivery soon. Check the website and order today!
Online: ajscreole.com
Blendees
This is a great way to get half-pints to drink their veggies (without evening knowing it!) Head out to Blendees in East County or order for delivery to your door (via Doordash). Blendees strives to create quality blends with max health benefits by drinking fruit, veggies, herbs and roots! Plus, they taste delicious. Even more, add-in an Acacia split and you're healthy and happy.
1297 East Main St.
El Cajon, CA 92021
Online: blendees.com
Freshly Faded Barber + Shop
Derrick Banks is the owner of Freshly Faded Barber + Shop in San Diego. He has been cutting hair professionally since 2005 and specializes in fades of any type on any hair texture. He started his shop out of necessity because there wasn’t a shop in San Diego to let him grow into the person he was becoming. He wanted to accurately display the diversity of African-American culture and provide positive representation of that same culture on a platform that is approachable and welcoming. The goal has always been to change the community one haircut at a time. When you step into the shop, they fully immerse you in Art, Music, Incense, Philosophical conversations, and dope haircuts–– which is only a portion of what they do. Schedule an appointment online today!
2850 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
Online: freshlyfaded.com
Cafe X
In their own words, Cafe X is "more than just coffee, it's a movement to promote healing and communal wealth-building for communities of color inside a sacred space through activism and artivism, in a natural and respectful way, one cup at a time." This worker-owned coffee and co-op seeks to provide a welcoming space for people to learn from each other. In addition to serving up delicious coffee and drinks, Cafe X is built upon an ideology of the ripple effect and its co-owners Cynthia Ajani and Khea Pollard hope to make waves of positive change in the community via thoughtful collaborations.
7220 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115
619-537-6632
Online: byanybeans.org
AC Plumbing Construction
Looking for a plumber? Look no further than AC Plumbing Construction, which was voted the #1 plumbing service in Carlsbad. Their certified and trained plumbers are available 24 hours a day for all of your plumbing and AC needs. They even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Online: acplumbingconstructioninc.com
Puzzle Pieces Marketing
Puzzle Pieces Marketing is a marketing agency that works primarily with nonprofits, but also mission-driven businesses. President, Angel Mason Broadus, is an active volunteer in the community as well as a Steering Committee Member, Women United of the United Way of San Diego County and Marketing Committee Chair of the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego. Puzzle Pieces Marketing currently represents Volunteers of America, which provides supportive housing to families with children, as well as The Ballington Academy Charter Schools.
Online: puzzlepiecesmarketing.com
Got a business you’d like to see included? Email as at blm@redtri.com.
–Nikki Walsh
RELATED STORIES:
