7 Incredibly Dope Black-Owned Businesses Founded in Atlanta that You Must Experience

1. The Parlor

Budding as one of the hottest, cocktail lounges in Atlanta, The Parlor is a quaint lounge, draped in Black art, that features a live deejay and mirrors a 19th-century appeal. Located on Peters Street in the Castleberry District, The Parlor is owned by veteran business owner and visionary Alphonzo Cross. As noted in the AJC, “Cross assembled a consultant team of veteran food and beverage pros to develop a menu fit for a sophisticated, 30-seat cocktail “den,” that features well-crafted cocktails that pay homage to African-American contributions – past and present – to the world of drink. 

If you are hosting an event, looking for a place to kick back with like-minded individuals, The Parlor is not simply a bar, it’s a cultural experience.

2. The Consulate

In 2017, ZAGATS listed The Consulate one of the Top 10 Sexiest New Restaurants and Bars in Atlanta. 

Owned by power couple, Douglas Hines and Mai Lin, who created a stunning restaurant that features a new tapas menu every 3 months. It’s an experience that allows your pallets to travel around the globe featuring foods from Morocco, Ethiopia, China, India, and let’s not forget it has an amazing bar too. Plus, for all plant based lovers, there’s a few plant based options on the menu, as well. 

Hines was featured on the show “HGTV Design Star.” 

Outside of The Consulate, Hines and Mai Lin are also the owners of Honey Bubble Tea.

3. L’Artisan Muse

November Nichols, the founder of L’Artisan Muse has created a beautiful, “Zen” mansion inside the Westside Provisions District. According to Nichols, “it is designed to provide our members (affectionately called our muses) a luxury sensory experience that encourages slow living, being present, and doing the things that make your heart smile.” From yoga, to meditation, to a holistic shopping experience, L Artisan Muse is a total vibe. For event curators, you can also rent out the venue.

4. SustainAble Homegoods

LaToya Tucciarone is the owner of SustainAble Home Goods at Ponce City Market. If you are looking for one-of- a-kind home goods to beautify your home, office or stunning accessories, Tucciarone has partnered with makers across the globe to source and provide these goods. To date, she’s partnered with at least 25 different countries, including: Peru, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Guatemala. According to Tucciarone, when partnering with artisan entrepreneurs we are helping to sustain jobs in their communities both globally and locally, as well as creating the potential for new ones.

5. ZuCot Fine Art Gallery

Nestled in historic Castleberry District, ZuCot Gallery is the largest African-American owned fine art gallery in the Southeast. Located in the historic Castleberry Hill district of downtown Atlanta, their 3,500 sq. foot space offers an eclectic decor and features some of the most prolific contemporary artists of our time. The owners, engineers by trade, Troy Taylor, Onaje Henderson, and Omari Henderson are dedicated to cultivating and curating art experiences for artists lovers and collectors. 

They welcome the community to COME. SEE. COLLECT.

ZuCot Gallery has featured the work of living legends Aaron F. HendersonShanequa Gay, Charly Palmer, Tracy Murrell, Jamaal Barber and the Village’s own Marryam Moma.

6. Iwi Fresh

Iwi Fresh, a Farm-to-Skin spa that has become a staple in the city of Atlanta. Founded by a pioneer in the industry, Yolanda Owens, iwi Fresh offers a spa experience like no other. iwi fresh partners with local farms that make it their mission to choose the freshest fruits and veggies in which they handpick and distribute them back to the spa where iwi fresh then juices and mixes them to make skincare recipes. With the fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs that are handpicked by local farmers, iwi makes skincare, body care, foot and hand care, and men-care products. They do veggie facials, home-remedy mani-pedi, herbal massages, and traditional hot-shaves. Inside of iwi is also Atlanta Hot Shave.

7. Peters Street Station

A living legend and notable artist and tattooist, Miya Bailey, has been on a mission to utilize his gifts as an artist to plant seeds in the very community that helped him grow. Peters Street Station, decorated in historic books, art, is a multilevel, multi-use art and community space. On any given night, the community has an opportunity to participate in an art exhibition and take a selfie by the acclaimed Hey Brown Girl You’re Beautiful Mural, created by Nikia Phoenix & The Painter Bae. The co-owner of City of Ink, Notch 8, stated in Arts ATL,  “I love Castleberry Hill; it’s my home, and I’ll do anything for this neighborhood. It’s always been good to me,” he says. “It got my family out of situations, and I made my income here, so this is where I plant my seed.”

Peters Street Station is located at 333 Peters Street.

Photo by Carol Lee Rose
@carolleerose