Astoria, Community, Food and Drink, Living, Neighborhood Jun 03, 2020 An Ongoing Directory of Black-Owned Businesses In Astoria As people look for more tangible ways to better support, amplify, and represent Black people in our communities, here is one way to start right here in Astoria. This list (…) Share this Scoop by Claire Leaden total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print As people look for more tangible ways to better support, amplify, and represent Black people in our communities, here is one way to start right here in Astoria. This list (…) by Claire Leaden Share this Scoop total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print Instagram @somethingcatchynyc As people look for more tangible ways to better support, amplify, and represent Black people in our communities, here is one way to start right here in Astoria. This list of Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood was compiled by DM’s we received on Instagram as well as this Reddit thread. We will continually add to it — please comment below or DM us on Instagram to add more. *Editor’s note: This article was previously titled “Black-owned and managed businesses,” but these businesses are all Black-owned, the “managed” came into play because of a grocery store that was franchised and owned by a larger corporation, which we have removed from the list. As always, people are welcome to come to us with their feedback and additions and we will continue to update the list.* Restaurants Snowdonia – 34-55 32nd St, Astoria; open for takeout and delivery, hour fluctuate right now so please call ahead at (347) 730-5783. *co-owned by a couple and the wife identifies as Black. Soul Out – 34th Ave x Crescent; call 718-937-4958 or walk-in to order. Something Catchy – 23-14 36th Ave, Astoria; call or text 718-576-9518 to order Melting Pot Cuisine – 3601 Vernon Blvd, Queens; order online here or call 718-606-2670. Makina Cafe – 37th Ave x 34th St (Food Truck); order from a new family-sized menu here. Berg’s Pastrami is a Black-owned catering business that will soon deliver fresh-baked babkas in Astoria, LIC and Woodside. Nneji – serving Nigerian cuisine. Call (917) 832-7338 or stop by 32-20 34th Ave for takeout. See a broader list of Black-owned restaurants in NYC & other areas of Queens here. Retail/Grocery Ibari (23rd Ave x 27th St) – currently closed Artists and Entrepreneurs Yam (jewelry) – 20% of sales this week (until Friday 6/5) will go to bail relief and organizations aiding in long term change; follow on social here; shop from here. Camille at the Wheel (pottery) – Shop open for made-to-order purchases, orders will be produced once studio space opens back up; follow on social here; order from here. Paige’s Candle Co (candles) – follow on social here; shop here. Studio Gaia Genovese LLC (Design) JBIH Photography – (NYC portrait photography) Dayanne Dannier – Creole fashion accessories Black Hipster – Photographer and designer Vai Girl by Gigi Henries Jones – Handmade bags + accessories made in Liberia Xanthine’s All Natural Products – Natural products for home, bath, body, and hair The Societi – Handmade jewelry Ashlee Romain Art – Fine art, drawing and prints TRIBE Creative – Specializes in brand and web design for female entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders to bring their visions to life Other My Gym Astoria – Astoria Blvd x 29th St. Do Better Laundry Shop – 44th Rd x 24th St. Camp Wakanda – Teaches melanated children about their superpowers through STEAM learning Fit Club Physical Therapy – Owned by Astoria resident Dr. Kellen; offices in Chelsea, Williamsburg and Greenpoint Charter Real Estate School Twitter Facebook Email Print 21 Comments BLM: Put your money where your mouth is - Black News September 23rd, 2020 […] listed as a Black owned business to “support and amplify” on neighborhood blogs, such as “We Heart Astoria.” They feel as though they have become slightly known because of it. “It’s a hustle,” he […] Reply Ella Smith July 20th, 2020 Thank you for the support of Black Owned Business. I’d like to recommend Eat Nom Squared to add to your list WEEKLY CHOICES of prepared food Order by Thursday at 11:59 P.M. DELIVERY DATE: SUNDAY EAT NOM CARES ABOUT WHAT GOES IN YOUR BODY! ✔️Made fresh ✔️Eco-Friendly / Compostable Packaging ✔️No added hormones. ✔️No GMO’s ✔️No antibiotics ✔️All natural / no artificial ingredients Reply Anne Court June 26th, 2020 Oh also just learned about this new restaurant: https://nneji.business.site/#gallery Reply Anne Court June 26th, 2020 Another jeweler (http://shopbobbirose.bigcartel.com/). She’s a local Black mom. Reply michele Zezima June 18th, 2020 are there any black owned auto mechanic shops? Reply Ellen Day June 9th, 2020 BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center on 44th Drive & 11th Street is Black owned. Reply Christine B June 9th, 2020 Hello. I appreciate what you are doing, however as someone already mentioned, Black management does not do much of anything for the cause. Black OWNED businesses need so much support right now. I’ve looked into Macoletta and it is not blacked owned, yet it is the picture associated with this article. Snowdonia is also questionable as it is only associated with welsh owner Tom Davies . Pleaseeee, I urge you to re-work this list. I am happy to do some research and get back to you with my results. Reply David LaMarr Sims June 12th, 2020 Thank you for saying this! As a black performing artists in Astoria, I please urge you to remove both of these Reply Carrie Spuller June 16th, 2020 No David. We are most definitely black. Look into it before condemning us. Call us and ask for Carrie if you have any doubts. Snowdonia Reply Tom Davies June 14th, 2020 Christine— My wife, Carrie Spiller, is black and Native American. She is the 90% owner of Snowdonia (feel free to look up the LLC information). It is indeed a black-owned business. Because she runs the kitchen downstairs and I run the floor upstairs I am often mistaken as the sole owner. Ask any of our regulars about Carrie as she is beloved in the neighborhood. Or go on our Facebook, she is to the right of AOC. Sincerely, Tom Davies Reply Christine B June 20th, 2020 That’s wonderful then. The point is to support black owned business and if Snowdonia is that then I am happy to support. When you google the owner of the establishment a white male appears which is why this was confusing. Appreciate the clarification. Reply Stephanie July 1st, 2020 It’s weird that to top of this list features white owners. Classic Astoria. Macoletta is no black-please remove it or at least drop it down and mention that owners are white. Thanks. Reply Walid Idriss July 5th, 2020 Wow. I’ve been called of things in my life, but white is a new one… I don’t know where you got that info (and you have clearly never taken a look at me ). I have a complicated background and so if people don’t want me on a list of Black businesses, that’s fine. (We are no longer on the We Heart Astoria list anyway, FYI). But I really don’t want people saying the owner is white. Almost daily when people come in they assume I am the manager, the delivery man, the carpenter, never the owner…I guess I just don’t look like someone who would be an owner of an Italian restaurant and I know why. (My background is Egyptian Numbian, just to be clear. I was born and raised in Algeria because my father, en engineer, dedicated his life to rebuilding the country after independence from the French). Thanks, Walid Idriss Reply CR July 1st, 2020 Christine, how are you going about doing your research? Reply CR July 1st, 2020 I find it really disturbing that people are condemning restaurants based on comments left on a message board. If people have questions about restaurants, hopefully We Heart Astoria can answer them, and/or, maybe reach out and have conversations with people at restaurants rather than taking comments left here as ultimate truth. Reply Walid Idriss July 3rd, 2020 Hi Christine, I am sorry I am late replying to this. I just saw it. I am the owner of Macoletta, Walid Idriss. People often assume I am the manager…I guess I don’t look like the kind of person who would own an Italian pizzeria. I am not sure what kind of research on Macoletta you did because you never spoke to me. I have a complicated background so maybe I don’t count in your eyes (the short version is: my heritage is from Aswan, Egypt, from Nubian people. I was born and raised in Algeria and have lived here for the last 20 years), and that’s fine. There are important things to consider. I just wish we had talked, especially before you announce that you did research on us. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to know more about me. I love Astoria but one thing I don’t like is that people make assumptions about me. Take Care, Walid Reply Walid Idriss July 3rd, 2020 Hi Christine, I am sorry I am late replying to this. I just saw it. I am the owner of Macoletta, Walid Idriss. People often assume I am the manager…I guess I don’t look like the kind of person who would own an Italian pizzeria. I am not sure what kind of research on Macoletta you did because you never spoke to me. I have a complicated background so maybe I don’t count in your eyes (the short version is: my heritage is from Aswan, Egypt, from Nubian people. I was born and raised in Algeria and have lived here for the last 20 years), and that’s fine. There are important things to consider. I just wish we had talked, especially before you announce that you did research on us. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to know more about me. I love Astoria but one thing I don’t like is that people make assumptions about me. Take Care, Walid Reply Jennifer Forgash June 6th, 2020 Which is it? Black owned, or black managed? There’s a huge difference. If the manager at one of the Chase or Citi banks is black, should we then run out to support Chase or Citi? Please indicate on this list which businesses are actually black owned. Reply Kevin Murin June 3rd, 2020 I’ve recently learned that Sek’end Sun is Black owned but I’m not sure if they’re open. Reply David LaMarr Sims June 12th, 2020 Amazing coffee!!! I haven’t seen them open. Reply Lee June 28th, 2020 Really! That would make a lot of sense. However when I’m there the only other brown person present is working the door as security lol smh. I will explore what’s been named it’s a start. Not even as just businesses to support but literally where to hang out and not stick out at the only POC there Reply Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
BLM: Put your money where your mouth is - Black News September 23rd, 2020 […] listed as a Black owned business to “support and amplify” on neighborhood blogs, such as “We Heart Astoria.” They feel as though they have become slightly known because of it. “It’s a hustle,” he […] Reply
Ella Smith July 20th, 2020 Thank you for the support of Black Owned Business. I’d like to recommend Eat Nom Squared to add to your list WEEKLY CHOICES of prepared food Order by Thursday at 11:59 P.M. DELIVERY DATE: SUNDAY EAT NOM CARES ABOUT WHAT GOES IN YOUR BODY! ✔️Made fresh ✔️Eco-Friendly / Compostable Packaging ✔️No added hormones. ✔️No GMO’s ✔️No antibiotics ✔️All natural / no artificial ingredients Reply
Anne Court June 26th, 2020 Oh also just learned about this new restaurant: https://nneji.business.site/#gallery Reply
Anne Court June 26th, 2020 Another jeweler (http://shopbobbirose.bigcartel.com/). She’s a local Black mom. Reply
Ellen Day June 9th, 2020 BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center on 44th Drive & 11th Street is Black owned. Reply
Christine B June 9th, 2020 Hello. I appreciate what you are doing, however as someone already mentioned, Black management does not do much of anything for the cause. Black OWNED businesses need so much support right now. I’ve looked into Macoletta and it is not blacked owned, yet it is the picture associated with this article. Snowdonia is also questionable as it is only associated with welsh owner Tom Davies . Pleaseeee, I urge you to re-work this list. I am happy to do some research and get back to you with my results. Reply
David LaMarr Sims June 12th, 2020 Thank you for saying this! As a black performing artists in Astoria, I please urge you to remove both of these Reply
Carrie Spuller June 16th, 2020 No David. We are most definitely black. Look into it before condemning us. Call us and ask for Carrie if you have any doubts. Snowdonia Reply
Tom Davies June 14th, 2020 Christine— My wife, Carrie Spiller, is black and Native American. She is the 90% owner of Snowdonia (feel free to look up the LLC information). It is indeed a black-owned business. Because she runs the kitchen downstairs and I run the floor upstairs I am often mistaken as the sole owner. Ask any of our regulars about Carrie as she is beloved in the neighborhood. Or go on our Facebook, she is to the right of AOC. Sincerely, Tom Davies Reply
Christine B June 20th, 2020 That’s wonderful then. The point is to support black owned business and if Snowdonia is that then I am happy to support. When you google the owner of the establishment a white male appears which is why this was confusing. Appreciate the clarification. Reply
Stephanie July 1st, 2020 It’s weird that to top of this list features white owners. Classic Astoria. Macoletta is no black-please remove it or at least drop it down and mention that owners are white. Thanks. Reply
Walid Idriss July 5th, 2020 Wow. I’ve been called of things in my life, but white is a new one… I don’t know where you got that info (and you have clearly never taken a look at me ). I have a complicated background and so if people don’t want me on a list of Black businesses, that’s fine. (We are no longer on the We Heart Astoria list anyway, FYI). But I really don’t want people saying the owner is white. Almost daily when people come in they assume I am the manager, the delivery man, the carpenter, never the owner…I guess I just don’t look like someone who would be an owner of an Italian restaurant and I know why. (My background is Egyptian Numbian, just to be clear. I was born and raised in Algeria because my father, en engineer, dedicated his life to rebuilding the country after independence from the French). Thanks, Walid Idriss Reply
CR July 1st, 2020 I find it really disturbing that people are condemning restaurants based on comments left on a message board. If people have questions about restaurants, hopefully We Heart Astoria can answer them, and/or, maybe reach out and have conversations with people at restaurants rather than taking comments left here as ultimate truth. Reply
Walid Idriss July 3rd, 2020 Hi Christine, I am sorry I am late replying to this. I just saw it. I am the owner of Macoletta, Walid Idriss. People often assume I am the manager…I guess I don’t look like the kind of person who would own an Italian pizzeria. I am not sure what kind of research on Macoletta you did because you never spoke to me. I have a complicated background so maybe I don’t count in your eyes (the short version is: my heritage is from Aswan, Egypt, from Nubian people. I was born and raised in Algeria and have lived here for the last 20 years), and that’s fine. There are important things to consider. I just wish we had talked, especially before you announce that you did research on us. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to know more about me. I love Astoria but one thing I don’t like is that people make assumptions about me. Take Care, Walid Reply
Walid Idriss July 3rd, 2020 Hi Christine, I am sorry I am late replying to this. I just saw it. I am the owner of Macoletta, Walid Idriss. People often assume I am the manager…I guess I don’t look like the kind of person who would own an Italian pizzeria. I am not sure what kind of research on Macoletta you did because you never spoke to me. I have a complicated background so maybe I don’t count in your eyes (the short version is: my heritage is from Aswan, Egypt, from Nubian people. I was born and raised in Algeria and have lived here for the last 20 years), and that’s fine. There are important things to consider. I just wish we had talked, especially before you announce that you did research on us. Please feel free to contact me if you ever want to know more about me. I love Astoria but one thing I don’t like is that people make assumptions about me. Take Care, Walid Reply
Jennifer Forgash June 6th, 2020 Which is it? Black owned, or black managed? There’s a huge difference. If the manager at one of the Chase or Citi banks is black, should we then run out to support Chase or Citi? Please indicate on this list which businesses are actually black owned. Reply
Kevin Murin June 3rd, 2020 I’ve recently learned that Sek’end Sun is Black owned but I’m not sure if they’re open. Reply
Lee June 28th, 2020 Really! That would make a lot of sense. However when I’m there the only other brown person present is working the door as security lol smh. I will explore what’s been named it’s a start. Not even as just businesses to support but literally where to hang out and not stick out at the only POC there Reply