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
Image Credits, left to right: Instagram accounts of Augie’s Mussel House, Mason Social and Urbano 116
Wondering who’s behind Old Town favorites like Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden, Mason Social and Urbano 116? Common Plate Hospitality, co-owned by Larry Walston and Chad Sparrow, blends both innovative architectural design, creative culinary offerings and craft bar programs to create a full experience for their guests. Sample mussels while sipping one of 70 brews at Augie’s, dig into a sweet or savory brunch at Mason Social and enjoy a sangria with ceviche at Urbano 116.
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
Image Credit: Misha Enriquez for Visit Alexandria
Old Town’s latest sweet spot is Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, a 1950s-inspired soda fountain serving legendary Wisconsin-style frozen custard and nostalgic treats from owner Brandon Byrd’s vintage van and Commerce Street’s historic Ice House. New in spring 2020, stop by on Saturdays between 12 to 4 p.m. to satisfy your sweet tooth with an order from the van and look for a permanent brick-and-mortar setup in the Ice House later in the year.
Must-Try Dishes: Apple Cider Donutwich and Turtle Pecan Sundae
Haute Dogs & Fries
Image Credit: Helen & Vince (@foodsinmyheart)
Founded in 2009 by co-owners Lionel Holmes and Pamela Swanson, Haute Dogs & Fries offers a fresh take on the American classic—hot dogs! Their signature hot dogs are 100% beef, grilled and tucked inside toasty New England split-top buns. Haute Dogs consciously sources their ingredients locally and uses local vendors to give back to the community. They also recently launched a campaign called “Pay it Pho-ward” to support restaurant workers in need during COVID-19.
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
Image Credits: Leonard Holton (left) and Cameron Davidson for Visit Alexandria (right)
Situated in the middle of Old Town Alexandria in the three-story historic home of a former slaveowner, Magnolia’s On King today offers a haven for high quality Southern cuisine with one-of-a-kind, vegan and vegetarian meals. Magnolia’s On King is owned and operated by Leonard Holton, a local Old Town sommelier and restaurateur (pictured above at left).
Must-Try Dishes: Shrimp and grits, country-fried chicken and the Nashville hot fried mushroom sandwich
Thompson Hospitality
Hen Quarter
Image Credit: Misha Enriquez for Visit Alexandria
Must-Try Dish: Hen Quarter’s new family-style bottomless brunch menu for $25.95 per person. Select as many menu items as you’d like for an endlessly delicious weekend.
The Rub
Must-Try Dish: The Krispy Chicken Collab, piled high with fried chicken, “Carolina Reaper” hot honey, mustard coleslaw and pickle chips atop a custom doughnut bun made in collaboration with GoodCo. Dough. Pair the “sando” with a refreshing “Margarita in a ’Mingo” (pictured above).
Shopping
donna lewis
Image Credit: Sarah Marcella for Visit Alexandria
Best-Selling Item: None! The boutique’s inventory is one-of-a-kind, so you will leave with a completely customized look.
Threadleaf
Image Credit: Sarah Marcella for Visit Alexandria
Best-Selling Item: Dresses. Threadleaf is especially known for carrying a variety of dresses with pockets.
Historical Tours
Manumission Tour Company
Most Surprising Tour Site: The historic home at 505 Cameron Street, whose ordinary façade belies the fascinating stories of Oscar and Joseph Ball, who lived in the home and ran away to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Salons and Beauty Spots
Allure Hair Loft
Most Popular Hair Services: The “Classic Men’s Haircut,” comprised of seamless fading and accurate lining, and the custom “Hair Toupee,” an old service with a modern twist.
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.
Most Popular Hair Service: Highlights
Envy Us Beauty Supply
Image Credit: Envy Us Beauty Supply
Most popular products: Vast selection of Black-owned beauty brands
Good Brows
Most Popular Beauty Treatments: Precision brow shaping and powder ombré brow tattoo
Hazel O. Salon
Image Credit: A. Marie Imagery (@amarieimagery)
Most Popular Hair Services: Curly hair care and color services
Joi Dreams Salon
Image Credits: Joi Dreams Salon
Salon Alexander
Most Popular Hair Service: Color treatment
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.
Most Popular Hair Service: Men’s traditional fade
Wellness and Fitness Studios
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
Image Credit: PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, a safe haven of community in Alexandria’s West End, thrives in offering compassionate, inclusive and personable service to welcome and support all beings on their wellness journey. From Zumba to belly dancing to yoga for all bodies, PIES’ classes provide a positive setting to sweat it out.
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
Image Credit: Sunflowers Healing and Wellness
Navigate the peaks and valleys of life with compassionate guidance and custom life tools from Sunflowers Healing and Wellness. Lindsey Vick, owner and founder (pictured above) invites you work with her team of practitioners for proven tools to affect all areas of life, from relationships to careers to birth and more. Located in Del Ray and providing services virtually, Sunflowers Healing and Wellness offers hypnotherapy, reiki, life coaching and an array of childbirth support services.
Most Popular Services: Hypnotherapy and childbirth support
Trident Community Fitness
Image Credit: Trident Community Fitness
Looking to revamp your fitness routine? Trident Community Fitness, owned by Chriss and Andrea Smith (pictured above), is made up of a diverse team of more than 25 passionate, committed and dynamic trainers who love nothing more than changing people’s lives through fitness. Trident’s trainers pride themselves on their extensive knowledge and experience but are most proud of their ability to connect with and motivate their clients.
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.
