By Brandi Hunter, High Ground News
For the gift-buying season, Memphis has an abundance of local, Black-owned businesses where shoppers can search for the perfect gifts. In 2018, Memphis topped or ranked high on multiple lists as one of the best cities for Black business owners to set up shop. More than 50 Black business owners assembled at the Pipkin Building to showcase products and services at the Black Christmas Expo December 8 and 9.
From sweet treats to natural soaps to unique tours and ways to get healthy, here is part one of our list of Black-owned businesses for those who want to shop local this holiday season.
Check out part two here — Black-owned business gift guide: Art, accessories and apparel
Food & Treats
Shortbread cookies from the Made From Scratch Cookie Company.
Made From Scratch Cookie Company
Cookies and brownies; recipes include chocolate chip, buttery shortbread, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, oatmeal cranberry & white chocolate, snickerdoodle, spiced ginger
Available at Superlo locations, Cordelia’s Market (737 Harbor Bend Road) and High Point Grocery (469 High Point Terrace)
Delivery available
Price Range: $20 for Christmas cookie boxes (one dozen cookies) and delivery
Two Vegan Sistas Meal Preps & More
Meal plans, detoxes and catering
twovegansistas.com | Facebook | Instagram
Limited delivery is available
$20 and up
Araba’s Sweet Spot
Vegan chocolate chip cookies, brownie cookies and coconut cookies
arabassweetspot.com | Instagram
Available at 99 Cents Soul Food Express (414 S. Main Street)
Memphis delivery available with a $25 minimum; customers can email [email protected]
$6-$50
Sweet Elouise
Candy, cookies, cakes and crafts for custom orders and events
Sweetelouise.com | Facebook | Instagram
Available at Memphis Farmers Market, Hernando Farmers Market and farmers markets hosted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Methodist South Hospital
All orders are pickup only
Local events $2-$10 | Most custom orders start at $25 per dozen treats
Ele & Ivy Tea Company
Loose leaf tea products and customized tea bars at events
Eleivyteaco.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Available at local pop-up shops
Delivery is available
$10-$30
Guilt Free Pastries
Gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, paleo and keto diet friendly, soy free, xanthan gum free, dairy free and vegan friendly pastries
Consulting for individuals, groups and companies for customized health and wellness needs
guiltfreepastries.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Nationwide shipping available
Available at Casbah Restaurant (1890 N. Germantown Parkway), Bottomless Cup Coffee (144 S. Memphis Street in Holly Springs, Mississippi) and Downtown Memphis Farmers Market
Same day deliveries available for all orders placed before 2 p.m.
$4 and up
Novelty
901Box
Hand painted gift boxes filled with Memphis-based and Memphis-made products and services and info about attractions from Memphis makers, businesses, and organizations
the901box.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Delivery and USPS shipping available
$45-$75 for standard boxes and custom prices for special events and occasions
A Tour of Possibilities
Tours of African-American history in Memphis and local food tasting tours
Atopmemphis.com | Facebook | Instagram
$38-$75
A gift basket prepared by Beaux Cadeaux.Beaux Cadeaux
Gift baskets for all occasions; corporate, pampering, sweet and savory snacks, gourmet/fruit, custom and Memphis-themed
Local delivery and nationwide shipping
$40 and up
City Tasting Tours
A food tasting experience led by a culinary guide in Downtown Memphis. Taste dishes from four local restaurants while meeting the chefs and learning the history and future of the city
CityTastingTours.com | Facebook | Instagram
$45-$75
Beauty & Bath
LATHA
Bath and body products inspired by mixology. Soaps, bath bombs, sugar scrubs, body butter and more
Lathabar.com | Facebook | Instagram
Available at Paper & Clay (486 N. Hollywood Street)
Delivery available in the Memphis area
Shipping available outside Memphis
$3-$40
Gifts From Nature
Handcrafted natural soaps, naked bath bombs, finishing oils and herbal salves
Gfnsoap.com | Facebook | Instagram
Available at Maggie’s Pharm (13 Florence Street), City Silo Table + Pantry (5101 Sanderlin Ave, Suite 104b), Trousseau (408 Perkins Extended), Premier Flowers (10 N. Second Street, Suite 105) and Sundara Wellness (1314 Peabody Avenue)
$8-$50
Handmade soap by Urban Indulgence.
Urban Indulgence
Handcrafted, plant-based bath and body products such as handmade soap, body butters and oils and sugar scrubs
theurbanindulgence.com | Facebook | Instagram | (901) 730-6507
Urban Indulgence retail store located at 3314 Poplar, Suite 4
$3-$25
Kiss and Makeup
Makeup application and education
Kissandmakeupmemphis.com | Facebook | Instagram
Prices start at $95 per person
Products sold by Live Naturelle Skincare
Live Naturelle Skincare
Handcrafted, science-based skincare products formulated to heal and nourish the skin
livenaturelle.com | Facebook | Instagram
Delivery available for minimum orders of $60
$15-$25
Danielle Soaps and Scrubs
Natural, homemade soaps and scrubs
Shipping available
$6-$25
Fitness & Wellness
Freewill Fitness
One-on-one and couples personal training
Freewillfitness.com | Facebook
Will train at various locations
$300-$1000 with payment plans available
A class hosted by Bombshell Sherika Fitness
Bombshell Sherika Fitness
Fitness services for women
Sherikafitness.com | Facebook | Instagram
Price Range: $125-$250 per month
Fit and Finally Free
Corporate wellness programs, motivational speaking, lifestyle and wellness coaching, nutritional counseling, weight loss management, healthy meal prep and meal planning, pantry and refrigerator makeovers, healthy grocery store tours, healthy cooking classes and demos for individual, group and team building, healthy meal plans, running and fitness training plans
fitandfinallyfree.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Services available via phone, email, Skype, or in person within Shelby and Desoto County; out of town engagements at an additional cost
Prices vary per service
Coach Karren Empowerment Coaching & Consulting
Coaching for individuals, leaders and groups and author of “Power Walk 40-Day Devotional Journal” and “One Is A Whole Number: Recovering The Joy of Being Single”
Books available at Cheryl Pesce Lifestyle Store (1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 125)
Books range from $15-$17
