If your family is looking for ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement, one great place to start is supporting more Black-owned businesses. There are plenty of Black-owned businesses in the Chicago area that the whole family can enjoy. Start off with our list of restaurants, shops and more.
Food
Batter and Berries
- Address: 2748 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Order the world-famous French toast flight (!!), which includes a slice each of strawberry, blueberry, lemon and caramel.
Brown Sugar Bakery
- Address: 328 E. 75th St., Chicago
The South Side bakery is known for its caramel cake, but you have to try any one of the other decadent desserts as well.
Cakewalk Chicago
- Address: 1741 W. 99th St., Chicago
Find all your baking equipment needs at Cakewalk Chicago. Families will have fun with their candy and dessert kits.
Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
Enjoy classics turned into delicious vegan options such as Hold Up! Wait a Min! Philly Cheesesteak and Chicago St. Hot Dog.
Dat Donut
- Address: 8251 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago
Head over to the Chatham neighborhood and marvel over Dat Donut’s Big Dat. Their signature donut can easily feed your entire family.
Hecky’s Barbecue
- Address: 1902 Green Bay Road, Evanston
This suburban joint serves up your BBQ favorites including baby back ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and corn muffins.
Juiced by Shic
Your smoothie-loving kids can load up on their fruits and veggies at this charming juice bar. We recommend grabbing a few of the bottled juices to enjoy later at home.
Luella’s Southern Kitchen
- Address: 4609 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Take in all the Southern classics at Luella’s with chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and chicken gumbo. Don’t forget to save room for sweet beignets!
Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream
- Address: 46 E. 47th St., Chicago
Located in Bronzeville, grab an old-fashioned scoop of ice cream. Plus, Shawn Michelle’s doesn’t disappoint with exciting flavors like Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker and Jamaican Rum Raisin.
Sweet Maple Cafe Chicago
- Address: 1339 W. Taylor St., Chicago
Whether you stop here for breakfast or lunch, you must order a meal that comes with a fluffy biscuit — or order an extra one on the side!
Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine
- Address: 1023 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago
Family-style dining is part of Ethiopian cuisine and you can expect the same, wholesome experience at this Uptown restaurant.
Vee-Vee’s African Restaurant
- Address: 6232 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago
Get a taste of classic African dishes at Vee-Vee’s such as jollof rice or Ofe Agbono, a soup made with ground pumpkin seeds and exotic spices.
Shops and More
Kido
- Address: 1137 S. Delano Court, Chicago
Find plenty of clothing options at Kido to dress up your stylish kids. What we also love is that the South Loop shop carries a variety of children’s books focused on diversity and race.
Let Mommy Sleep
Whether you need overnight newborn care or want to learn more at a newborn class, the Let Mommy Sleep team is here to make parenting a little bit easier.
Mama and OG
This local mama has an online shop selling her homemade resin letters. You’ll find various colorfully styles of the alphabet, numbers and even sets honoring Black female leaders.
Mimi’s Tots Closet
- Address: 8442 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago
Treat your mini fashionistas to the trendy options at Mimi’s Tots Closet. The store also hosts spa, paint and slime party packages to help make your child’s birthday special through Mimi’s Vanity Room.
The Rink
- Address: 1122 E. 87th St., Chicago
Get back into the grove of roller rinks with this South Side established to get your whole family skating. They also have skating classes available for beginners of all ages.
Semicolon Bookstore
- Address: 515 N. Halsted St., Chicago
Stock up on books for littles ones at Chicago’s only Black woman-owned bookstore. You can also purchase a few books to educate yourself about anti-racism and race.
The Silver Room
- Address: 1506 E. 53rd St., Chicago
This Hyde Park store carries trendy apparel, accessories, home goods and lifestyle products for the entire family.
The Stork Bag
Spoil the pregnant mama in your life with the ultimate gift bag. The Stork Bag is filled with pregnancy books, beauty products and other essentials to keep them pampered.
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