Want to deepen your impact on small businesses? Supporting these Black-owned businesses in Alexandria and align with the Black Lives Matter movement to #supportblackbusinesses today, tomorrow and beyond. Explore our non-exhaustive list of restaurants, retail, beauty and wellness businesses, and see how owners described their operations to us. Keep reading for inspiration on where to grab your next cup of coffee, get a hair refresh or upgrade your yoga game.
Note: Prior to visiting, please visit the businesses’ websites and/or social media channels to check on their reopening status.
Restaurants
Cameron Café
Tucked inside Cameron Station, Cameron Café is a local coffee shop and café that brings together residents of the West End to celebrate life’s moments while they caffeinate. Their ample outdoor seating is the perfect setting to sip, savor and socialize after an amble through nearby Ben Brenman Park.
Must-Try Drinks: Double Macchiato and Latte Frappe
Common Plate Hospitality
Augie’s Must-Try Dishes: 10 mouth-watering mussel flavors, or Augie’s cheesesteak paired with a seasonal beer
Mason Social’s Must-Try Dishes: Mason Fried Chicken with a Parker Grey Cocktail
Urbano 116’s Must-Try Dishes: Grilled steak & chicken fajitas with a top shelf margarita—home of the only 56oz. Margarita!
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
Must-Try Dishes: Apple Cider Donutwich and Turtle Pecan Sundae
Haute Dogs & Fries
Must-Try Dishes: The Bombshell (topped with mango-pineapple relish, sautéed onions and fresh jalapeños) or the Banh Mi Dog, inspired by the Vietnamese sandwich.
Magnolia’s On King
Thompson Hospitality
Hen Quarter
Located in the heart of Old Town on King Street, Hen Quarter is owned and operated by Thompson Hospitality, which is the nation’s largest minority-owned food and facilities management company. Hen Quarter is driven by the power of the table and the belief that time is best spent enjoying crave-able food and delicious drinks with friends and family. Hen Quarter specializes in Southern fare, fried chicken and their favorite…brunch!The Rub
Shopping
donna lewis
Duck into a picturesque courtyard on Cameron Street and discover donna lewis, celebrating its 20th anniversary in Old Town. Known for the timeless beauty and quality of its fabrics, style and fit, this charming boutique specializes in European luxury clothing, shoes and accessories for women and men.Threadleaf
Helmed by former Obama administration attorney Nicole McGrew, Threadleaf is an independent boutique focused on fashion-forward clothing and accessories that are responsibly made with respect for our environment, suppliers and customers.Historical Tours
Manumission Tour Company
Salons and Beauty Spots
Allure Hair Loft
Elle Hair Studio
Looking for hair care ranging from to ombré or balayage to loc maintenance? Make an appointment at Elle Hair Studio, a private boutique hair salon located right outside of Old Town.Envy Us Beauty Supply
Find all your beauty needs at Envy Us Beauty Supply, owner Aesha Ray’s S. Van Dorn St. shop specializing in hair care, skin care, cosmetics, hair extensions and accessories with a large selection of Black-owned beauty brands.Good Brows
Hazel O. Salon
Named in homage to the owners’ grandmother, Hazel O. Salon is the quintessential urban beauty oasis servicing all hair types. Clients are treated to a sleek, sophisticated interior and staff experienced in styling a vast range of hair types and textures.Joi Dreams Salon
Joi Dreams Salon, operated by the namesake stylist and barber (pictured above), has serviced a diverse clientele in Alexandria for more than 11 years. Located on Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue, Joi Dreams Salon is a little salon with big personality, run by a stylist who loves what she does and the people she serves.Salon Alexander
The Ultimate Barber
The team at The Ultimate Barber in Potomac Yard have built their reputation on consistency and reliability. Visit for a haircut at the barbershop voted the city and region’s “Best Men’s Haircut” and “Best Barbershop” since 2012 by Northern Virginia Magazine, Virginia Living Magazine and The Zebra Press.Wellness and Fitness Studios
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
Most Popular Class: “My Body Don’t Bend That Way,” PIES’ flagship class featuring customized yoga poses, an open and laughter-filled environment and an abundance of support.
Sunflowers Healing and Wellness
Most Popular Services: Hypnotherapy and childbirth support
Trident Community Fitness
Most Popular Class: The 5:15 a.m. class, an early bird favorite
From driving tours to outdoor memorials to Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies, the city’s new temporary waterfront public art installation, delve deeper into the city’s history and the legacy of Black Alexandrians here.
To request the addition of your Black-owned business, contact Visit Alexandria at ask@visitalexva.com. The operation must be visitor-facing, including restaurants, shops, salons and fitness studios, and located within the City of Alexandria.