Celebrate Black History Month by supporting these 12 black-owned businesses in Birmingham

Yo Mama’s brings southern comfort with a flare. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

February is Black History Month—a time to reflect, celebrate and support the incredible contributions of black individuals in our communities. In a city with a powerful civil rights legacy, supporting black-owned businesses is a meaningful way to honor Birmingham’s history.

From unique fashion to delicious eats and more, The Magic City is home to many talented Black entrepreneurs. Read on for 10 black-owned businesses you can support not just this month, but all year long. 

1. Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant

(Bham Now)

Established in 2014 by mother-and-daughter duo Crystal and Denise Peterson, Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant is a Birmingham favorite.

For over a decade, the award-winning restaurant has served Southern staples like chicken & waffles, burgers, shrimp & grits and more.

• Location: 2024 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30AM-2:30PM

2. Eugene’s Hot Chicken

Zebbie Carney of Eugene’s Hot Chicken. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Eugene’s Hot Chicken is a go-to spot for Nashville-style chicken in Birmingham.

Using owner Debbie Carney’s southern recipes and seasoning, Eugene’s chicken ranges from no heat to “stupid hot”.

Want to see if Eugene’s food truck is in your area? Check out the food truck schedule on Instagram.

• Uptown: 2268 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Sunday-Monday 11AM-3PM | Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-10PM
• Hoover: 3232 Galleria Cir Ste 101, Hoover, AL 35244
  • Hours: Sunday 11AM-3PM | Monday-Thursday 11AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 11AM-9PM

3. Aww Shucks

Phillip and Avrie Powell. (Aww Shucks)

During the pandemic, Phillip and Avrie Powell struggled to find food that was both healthy and tasty. In 2020, the plant-based couple founded Aww Shucks food truck featuring tasty fire-roasted street corn recipes.

Quickly, it became a massive success—since its inception, Aww Shucks has opened a brick-and-mortar location, gained franchise status and even earned a Guinness World Record for the most ears of corn shucked in a minute.

Check out the food truck schedule on Instagram.

• Location: 4120 Messer Airport Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35222
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-5:30PM

4. Grounds Bhm

Coffee, glassware + local goods. (Grounds Bhm)

One of our favorite places to stop for a coffee and shop is Grounds, a café owned by Reggie Collier and Tyler Hatcher. Alongside handcrafted espresso drinks, matcha and teas, Grounds also features pastries, vintage glassware and other local goods.

Grounds shares a space with basic., a sustainable clothing shop that highlights local, ethically-made products.

• Location: 2214 2nd Ave N Ste 100, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8AM-6PM

5. K&J’s Elegant Pastries

Kristal Bryant, K&J’s Elegant Pastries. (Bham Now)

Owned and operated by designer chef Kristal Bryant, K&J’s Elegant Pastries is known for cakes, cupcakes and cookies that look as good as they taste.

K&J’s has become famous for their kollosal milkshakes—massive milkshakes with a tower of toppings—featured on publications like Food Network, Travel Channel, Southern Living and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

• Location: 2260 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10AM-7PM | Friday-Saturday 10AM-8PM

6. Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.

Some of my favorite popcorn, especially during the holidays. (Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn)

In 2014, Naughty But Nice began its journey by selling delicious sweet and salty kettle corn blends at local farmers markets like Pepper Place. 

The team includes Tanesha Sims-Summers and her husband Clem, who handle everything from production to sales and more. Through its Poppin’ With A Purpose initiative, Naughty But Nice connects with local businesses and nonprofits to give back to the Birmingham community.

• Location: 5831 1st Ave N Ste 200, Birmingham, AL 35212
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10:30AM-2:30PM

7. Blind Dog Biscuit Co.

Blind Dog Biscuit Co. is open in Lakeview. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Owned by Quinton and Natalie Craig, Blind Dog Biscuit Co. in Lakeview offers all kinds of amenities to keep your dog looking and feeling their best.

Blind Dog sells all natural dog treats that are made by hand and available in four flavors– beef, peanut butter, pumpkin, and country ham and honey. Not sure which to choose? They also offer a mix of all four—gumbo.

Alongside their biscuits, they also offer a self-serve wash station and grooming stations if your furry friend needs a fresh look.

• Location: 2717 7th Ave S Suite 101, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Hours: Wednesday-Friday 9AM-5PM | Saturday 9AM-2PM

8. Memory Lane

Memory Lane. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Memory Lane is a retail store that sells vintage clothing, streetwear and sneakers. It’s a great place to find second-hand, good-condition sneakers as well as some of the newest styles and releases—like Yeezy, Jordans and OFF-White.

Owned by Chris Smoot and Tanarius Hayes, Memory Lane has two locations in downtown Birmingham and Bessemer.

• Downtown Birmingham: 2320 1st Ave N Ste 110, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-8PM | Sunday 1-6PM
• Bessemer: 217 19th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020
  • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-8PM | Sunday 1-6PM

9. Eagle’s Restaurant

Eagle’s Restaurant, one block from ACIPCO. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Located minutes from downtown, Eagle’s Restaurant has been a fixture in the Birmingham community since 1951. The family-owned meat-and-three serves southern favorites like chicken and dressing, oxtail, pork chops and much more.

• Location: 2610 16th Street North Birmingham, AL 35204
• Hours: Sunday-Friday 10:30AM-3:30PM

10. FLOWBHM + Frou Frou

Brigelle Ogen. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Looking for stylish clothes for both men and women in Birmingham? Brigelle Oden is the woman behind online boutique FLOWBHM and Frou Frou Boutique in Alabaster.

Brigelle stocks a curated selection of clothing, including tees, sweatshirts, sweaters, hats, jackets, hoodies and more.

• Frou Frou Alabaster: 507 11th Ave SW, Alabaster, AL 35007
  • Hours: Monday-Saturday 11AM-6PM, Sunday 1-4PM
• Shop FLOWBHM

11. Jawanda’s Sweet Potato Pies

Pies for every occasion. (JaWanda’s Sweet Potato Pies on Facebook)

Located on Valleydale Road, JaWanda’s Sweet Potato Pies features a variety of mouthwatering sweets from southern-style pies to classic pound cakes. Beyond its namesake sweet potato pie, JaWanda’s crusty creme pound cake is a fan favorite.

• Location: 5291 Valleydale Rd #111, Birmingham, AL 35242
• Hours: 10:30AM-4PM Daily (Reopens on February 7)

12. Marcdión Clothier

Marcdión Clothier. (Bham Now)

Marcdión Clothier is a fine men’s clothing store with custom and ready-to-wear styles. Owned by Torey Amerson, the store includes ties, shoes, scarves, pocket squares and a full range of custom clothing for both men and ladies’ pants suits.

• Location: 2217 2nd Ave N 1 A, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-7PM
• Facebook | Instagram

Did we miss your favorite black-owned business in The Magic City? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!