Charlotte’s skyline is changing fast. If you’ve driven through South End or NoDa lately, you know exactly what I mean. Cranes are everywhere. But under those steel skeletons, there is a much more interesting shift happening in the city’s economy. It isn't just about big banking headquarters anymore. Honestly, the real energy in the Queen City right now is coming from the explosion of black owned businesses in charlotte.
We aren't just talking about a few new soul food spots—though the food is undeniably incredible. We’re looking at a 65% surge in black-owned and Hispanic-owned businesses across North Carolina over the last few years. Charlotte specifically has seen its share of black-owned firms jump to 7.1%, ranking it 12th among the 50 largest metros in the country. That's a massive leap from where we were just a decade ago.
But stats are boring. They don't capture the vibe of a Saturday morning at Archive CLT, where you can sip a latte while flipping through a 1970s JET magazine. They don't tell you the story of why 704 Shop became the unofficial uniform of the city.
The Culinary Powerhouse: More Than Just Comfort Food
When people think of black-owned businesses in Charlotte, their minds usually go straight to the kitchen. And for good reason. Leah & Louise at Camp North End isn't just a restaurant; it’s a James Beard-nominated experience. Greg and Subrina Collier have basically rewritten the book on Southern "juke joint" cuisine. It’s sophisticated, loud, and deeply rooted in the Mississippi River Valley foodways.
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Then you have the staples. Mert’s Heart and Soul in Uptown has hosted everyone from local activists to Barack Obama. Their Gullah-inspired shrimp and grits? Legendary. But the scene is diversifying.
- Bird Pizzeria: Kerrel and Nkem Thompson are slinging some of the best East Coast-style pies in Optimist Park. It started as a pandemic project and turned into a full-blown obsession for locals.
- Romeo’s Vegan Burgers: Proof that the plant-based movement has deep roots here. They’ve gone from a single truck to a regional staple.
- Enat Ethiopian: Tina Tedla is bringing her mother’s recipes to Plaza Midwood, proving that Charlotte’s palate is getting way more global.
Retail and the "New" West End
For a long time, the West End was overlooked by developers. Big mistake. Now, it’s a hub for creativity. Take DUPP&SWAT, for example. It’s a retail space, sure, but it’s also an "expressive platform." You go there to buy a t-shirt, but you stay for the cultural events and the sense of community.
Over in South End, Five13 Studio is holding it down for boutique fashion. Then there's SPGBK (Springbreak), the watch company founded by two childhood friends who went to Fayetteville State. Their watches are bright, bold, and named after local schools and communities. It’s hyper-local branding that actually works.
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The Realities of the "Black Dollar"
Let's get real for a second. While the growth is impressive, the "Good Ole' Boy" network isn't exactly dead. A study by Griffin & Strong found that for years, black-owned businesses in North Carolina received less than 1% of state contract spending despite being a huge part of the population.
That’s why intentionality matters. When you spend money at a place like ArKay Beauty Supply or get your teeth done at Smile Savvy Cosmetic Dentistry, you aren't just "shopping." You’re actively fighting a wealth gap that has existed since before the Gold Rush days.
Tech and Professional Services Are Lurking
It’s easy to focus on the storefronts, but some of the biggest players are in sectors you’d never guess. McFarland Construction and Environmental Service Systems LLC are multi-million dollar giants in the Queen City. They handle the gritty stuff—commercial construction and facility maintenance—that keeps the city running.
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And then there's the wellness sector. Kika Stretch Studios, owned by Kika Wise, is one of the few black women-led franchises in the nation. She’s teaching a city of overworked bankers how to actually breathe and move again.
How to Actually Support the Ecosystem
Supporting black owned businesses in charlotte isn't a one-time thing you do during Black History Month. It’s about changing your habits.
- Use the Directories: Sites like CLT Black Owned are goldmines. They’ve done the vetting for you.
- Look Beyond Food: Need a lawyer? Check the NABCL. Need a new hat? Go to Fitteds CLT at Camp North End.
- Leave Reviews: Small businesses live and die by Google Maps and Yelp. A five-star review for Cuzzo’s Cuisine or Beyond Amazing Donuts goes a lot further than you think.
Charlotte is currently in the middle of a massive identity shift. We are moving away from being "just a banking town" and toward becoming a city that actually reflects its inhabitants. The hustle is everywhere. From the murals painted by Lo'Vonia Parks to the late-night vibes at Sticks and Beans Cigar Lounge, the culture is being built by entrepreneurs who decided to bet on themselves.
If you want to see the future of the Queen City, stop looking at the skyscrapers. Look at the small business owners on Beatties Ford Road and in the stalls of Optimist Hall. That's where the real growth is happening.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Visit a new spot this weekend: Pick one business from the list above—maybe Archive CLT for a coffee or Bird Pizzeria for dinner—and make a conscious effort to spend your dollars there.
- Follow the community leaders: Follow @cltblackowned on Instagram to get daily updates on new openings and community pop-ups across the city.
- Diversify your service providers: The next time you need a specialized service, whether it's a barber (check out No Grease, Inc) or a creative consultant, search specifically for a local minority-owned firm to handle the contract.