Be sure to check out these black-owned shops and restaurants in and around the Main Line region. Shop local and support small businesses this Black History Month (and every day!).
Abiyah Naturals
22 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore
Owner Topia Tessera makes handmade, eco-friendly body care products out of her Ardmore storefront. She also sells artisan products like artwork, jewelry, home decor, self-care items, plants and more.
AroDough
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Try this adult playdough, perfect for the young at heart, to engage in mindfulness and awaken your senses through aromatherapeutic relaxation. This product is made with natural ingredients and infused with essential oils, making it a simple way to practice self-care. AroDough was founded and created by a Villanova University graduate.
ATELIER 56
81 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
Each and every leather product sold by ATELIER 56 is locally manufactured by a cobbler in the Malvern shop. Products range from smaller bags—even single pen holders—to larger duffle-style bags, with exceptional craftsmanship prioritized at this black-owned business.
BTC Envelopes & Printing
4 Karen Rd., Plymouth Meeting
In business for nearly 20 years, this black-owned company offers an array of services including graphic design, promotional printing, offset and digital printing, large format printing, envelope printing, fulfillment services and more. The company also gives back through philanthropic work with Montgomery County OIC.
Byrum’s Shoe Service
81 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
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Open since 1975, this black-owned company specializes in repairing and cleaning leather products. Restore and save your favorite shoes, boots, luggage, equestrian items and even baseball gloves and other leather accessories.
Candle Studio 1422
100 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square
This Kennett Square candle maker uses soy wax for their products, providing a cleaner burn without producing harmful byproducts found in typical paraffin wax. They also offer BYOB candle-making classes for up to eight people.
Chloe Johnston Experiences
Based in Berwyn, Chloe Johnston helps clients roam the globe with her luxury travel tours. Whether exploring the beautiful beaches of Bali or taking in the mesmerizing volcanic terrain of Iceland, if you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a month-long stay abroad, Chloe Johnston Experiences tailors every trip to create your ideal personalized vacation.
CollegeThoughts
840 1st Ave St., King of Prussia
Owner Keith Wilkerson has spent 20 years perfecting his methods for getting his clients into top colleges. Their holistic approach takes a look at the life of the student and creates a proper narrative to tell their story.
Cork & Candles – Ardmore
65 Cricket Ave., Ardmore
Owned by Tia and Chris Holloway, this branch of Cork & Candles opened on Cricket Ave just a few months ago in November 2024. Be sure to stop by frequently for special events and candle making demonstrations.
Deneen Marcel Lashes
828 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
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Add subtle glamour to your everyday look with lash lifts and extensions from Bryn Mawr’s Deneen Marcel Lashes. The salon also offers eyebrow styling and skin treatments, as well as strip lashes and other products at the black-owned site.
D’IYANU
910 E. Main St., Norristown
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Inspired by a lack of ready-to-wear modern African-inspired clothing, Addie Elabor, along with her brother, Dara Ajayi, brought African-inspired prints to the United States in 2014. The men’s, women’s and children’s ready-to-wear lines include skirts, dresses, t-shirts, shorts and pants. D’IYANU is having a Black History Month sale on its site, with 15% off items this month only.
Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts
315 Westtown Rd., West Chester
This dance studio offers a wide variety of dance styles for all ages. The founder and director, Diane Matthews, is one of the original members of Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco). Also a resident at this dance school is West Chester Dance Works, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dance company that provides opportunities for the surrounding community to experience the benefits of equally artistic and athletic movement.
Embellish Beauty
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Owner and Main Line Today Power Woman Marcia Williams brings expertise from her time as a QVC hair and makeup artist to her makeup and hair services. Unlock your full beauty potential by booking haircuts, color and highlights, makeovers or bridal styling.
Expect Lace
4403 Main St., Manayunk
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Located on Manayunk’s Main Street, Expect Lace sells designer lingerie perfect for Valentine’s Day, as well as a host of sexual wellness items. Founded by Shaw Lewis, the brand’s mission is to create a space in which empowerment and elegance blend seamlessly.
FarmerJawn
1225 E Street Rd., West Chester
Owner and James Beard Award winner Christa Barfield runs a 128-acre farm that’s the largest black-woman-owned regenerative (and transitioning to organic produce) farm in America. In addition to the farm, which sells to local CSAs, Barfield is also launching two brick-and-mortars in West Chester and Kensington.
Forever Changes
28 S Main St., Phoenixville
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Owned by Shawn Cephas and started as a pop-up in 2019, Forever Changes stocks music and vinyls, hosting small concerts from local artists. The name for the store is based on the album of the same name by the band Love, one of the first racially diverse rock ‘n’ roll acts.
Girls Auto Clinic
7425 West Chester Pke., Upper Darby
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Looking to empower and educate women about car care, Patrice Banks created her own mechanic shop. In addition to maintenance and repairs, Banks offers her Shecanic workshops to teach women the fundamentals.
Holland & Milan Organics
Based out of Ardmore, this beauty and skincare line focuses exclusively on natural ingredients to make soaps, essential oil blends, facial cleansers, serums, face masks and more.
Jeantrix
160 N Gulph Rd., King of Prussia
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Offering stylish, modern streetwear fashion from King of Prussia, Jeantrix has been worn by influencers from New York to Paris. The brand also hosts workshops, the latest of which focuses on denim. Both men’s and women’s styles are available here, so plan a visit to shop local and get ahead of the trends.
Koren’s Kitchen
11 Louella Ct., Wayne
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Fresh-cooked, prepared meal delivery is the specialty at Koren’s Kitchen. Vegetarian, keto, paleo, no-sugar-added and healthy options all feature at this Wayne favorite. You can also stop by the bistro cafe for the same delicious preparations.
KSQ Barber Lounge
106 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square
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Owner Mark “Juice the Barber” Avery has cultivated a loyal following at his Kennett Square barber shop. The intimate atmosphere is welcoming, and Avery brings a certain family charm to his small business.
Mabel’s BBQ
607 E. Market St., West Chester
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With the knowledge and techniques of generations before her, Mabel Spann brings some of the best brisket, fried chicken and barbecue ribs to the Main Line region. It’s all too easy to give in to the temptation to take shortcuts or speedy solutions, but Mabel’s does barbecue right. Cooking these items is an all-day affair, and it shows.
Mimi’s Favorite Things
228 E. Lincoln Hwy., Coatesville
Get lost in a world of luxurious self-care and apparel items at this Coatesville shop. Michele Allen curates a selection of soap, bath bombs, lotions, balms, butters, jewelry, purses, artwork and teas made by locally owned, female and/or minority businesses. Be sure to check out some of the Eagles-themed products ahead of the Super Bowl.
Miss Winnie’s
211 E. Market St., West Chester
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Dishing up creative Jamaican-inspired cuisine since 2017, this West Chester restaurant is the brainchild of Bert Johnston. Honoring his family’s heritage and the restaurant’s namesake (Winnifred Joyce Johnston), Johnston presents a culinary tour de force of the Caribbean islands. Dig into jerk chicken wings, jerk pork sandwiches, curry chicken platters or the Winnie Classic—a ground beef patty seasoned with jerk spices and topped with pickles and jicama slaw. Don’t miss the rum cake, plantain tarts or guava swirl cake for dessert.
Moody Jones Gallery
107B S. Easton Rd., Glenside
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Owners Adrian Moody and Robyn Jones—the gallery’s namesakes—curate a monthly rotating selection of fine art. With a wide variety of paintings, the works of art are always interesting and evocative.
QueenStylista’s Mane Artistry
55 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore
In business in Ardmore since 2016, QueenStylista’s brings world-class hair services to Ardmore. It also offers classes to aspiring barbers.
Salon Tenshi
859 Montgomery Ave., Narberth
After years of studying nourishing techniques, Brandy DaVila helps clients maintain healthy skin and hair through services like a two-part oil treatment meant to heal dandruff and a variety of other scalp ailments. The salon also specializes in color without damage to the scalp.
Scoops ‘n’ Smiles
327 E. King St., Malvern; 6 E. Gay St., West Chester
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Scoops ‘n’ Smiles has two locations in the western suburbs and a third at Subuaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union, for whom they are the official ice cream provider.
Still Beauty Brow Lounge
121 North Wayne Ave., Wayne
Head on over to Wayne to indulge in facial and body waxing services for a unique and individual experience aimed to elevate your confidence and natural beauty. The lounge also offers brow styling and makeup consultation.
Shugar Shack Soul Food
45 N. Chester Pke., Glenolden
Soul food takes center stage at this black-owned eatery and catering company in Glenolden. Choose from wings, jumbo shrimp, fried salmon and a bevy of fries.
The Tattooed Pig
4405 Pennell Rd., Aston
What began as a catering company in 2007 eventually morphed into a food truck and later a brick-and-mortar destination. Today, this Tex-Mex restaurant dishes up favorites like nachos, quesadillas, burritos and empanadas. Putting a twist on classics, the Texas tacos are must-tries. Burgers and sandwiches round out the extensive menu.
P.S. Did we miss a spot? Email us here so we can add it.
Related: A Look at Martin Luther King Jr.’s Impact on the Main Line Region
