9 Black-owned St. Louis businesses to support during Black History Month and year-round

Supporting Black-owned businesses is one practical, actionable way to stand in solidarity with the Black community in St. Louis during Black History Month and year-round. Here are a few Black-owned favorites for your consideration. 

In Da Loop 
In Da Loop promotes Lou pride to its fullest. Owners Demadison Fife and Darren Newman highlight local Black entrepreneurs by promoting Chocolate Girls’ Cookies and decorating the walls with hip hop- and rap-inspired portraits by local artist Noble. In Da Loop specializes in wood-fired pizzas, toasted ravioli, wings, pretzels and house-made desserts. Be sure to check their website and follow them on Instagram to stay updated on happy hour specials, game nights, karaoke, live music, spoken word and slow jam Sundays!
6665 Delmar Blvd. #100B, University City, 314.499.7419, indalooppizzeriastl.com 

King of Soul Cafe
The family-run restaurant wants to “transform the community of Ferguson one delicious soul food plate at a time,” according to its website. The restaurant offers po’boys, wings, shrimp baskets and fries, as well as entrees like fried catfish, smothered pork chops and turkey legs, meatloaf, and baked or fried chicken that come with two Southern-style sides such as macaroni and cheese, yams, collard greens and cornbread. Stay connected to their Instagram for updates on food and drink specials and live music events.
423 S. Florissant Road, Ferguson, 314.736.4200, Facebook: King of Soul Cafe STL

Patty’s Cheesecakes
Patty’s Cheesecakes head baker and founder Pat Upchurch uses her grandmother’s cheesecake recipe at her stall inside City Foundry STL. Offerings include cheesecake-fused cookie and brownie sandwiches, cheesecake cake pops and seasonal rotating artisan cheesecakes in a variety of sizes. Customer favorites include banana pudding, turtle, strawberry, traditional and blueberry-basil-bourbon. On Feb. 25 and 26, Patty’s Cheesecakes will be offering classic Girl Scout petites in Tagalong, Thin Mint and Samoas.
3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, 314.541.6411, pattyscheesecakes.com 

Red's The One And Only BBQ 
A staple in St. Louis barbecue, Red’s BBQ spans generations. Located in downtown Ferguson, guests will smell the aroma of outdoor grilling as they arrive. Red’s is known for its heavily sauced tender rib tips (although you can request without sauce), pork steaks and potato salad in generous portions.
304 S. Florissant Road, Ferguson, 314.395.0513, Facebook: Reds The One and Only BBQ

Revocup Coffee 
Revocup Coffee specializes in ethically sourced Ethiopian roasted coffee and breakfast foods. Nebyu Habteyes and his wife Mignot Mengia own and operate the quaint, family-run coffee shop that boasts everything from frozen and classic espresso drinks to creative specialty coffees. For every cup of coffee, Revocup gives back 10 cents, and $1 for every pound of coffee sold, to its Revocup Foundation, which provides aid and assistance to their coffee-growing communities.
9200 Olive Blvd., Olivette, 314.274.2462, revocupcoffeestl.com

The Fattened Caf
Husband-and-wife duo Darren and Charlene Young bring Filipino barbecue to St. Louis. Located inside Earthbound Beer on Cherokee Street, the Fattened Caf serves a menu using local and fresh ingredients consisting of chicken, pork, Filipino sausage and veggie dishes. Sides vary but can include a fried egg, tomato ensalada, cucumber salad, jasmine, garlic or java rice, topped with garlic chips and red cabbage atchara. For updates and weekly specials, follow their Facebook or Instagram pages. To buy from their Sawsawan sauce line and other Pinoy condiments, visit their online store.
2724 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 636.498.4240, thefattenedcaf.com

Turn
Influenced by the farm-to-table approach, owner and executive chef David Kirkland focuses on healthy, American comfort foods at Turn. Highlights include the biscuit flight of four assorted biscuits with seasonal house-made jam, honey and butter, shrimp and grits and the arepa corn cake. Order a single blood orange mimosa or a whole carafe as you jam out at the Sunday Slow Jams brunch with DJs. Stay connected to their Instagram for dates.
3224 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.240.5157, turnstl.com    

Vails Brothers Restaurant & Food Truck
The Vails Brothers is described as St. Louis-style food, a blend of Southern food with a Midwest twist with locations in the Grove and on Delmar Boulevard, a food truck, a new location in Houston, Texas, and a forthcoming location in St. Peters. Popular items include the gulf golden jumbo fried shrimp plates, chicken wing plates, signature meals that include a combination of shrimp, chicken, or fish (plates are served with fries and a roll) and Southern fried catfish fillets with pickles, onions, hot sauce and tartar sauce. Orders can be placed online for their 5942 Delmar Blvd. location.
Multiple locations, vailsbrothers314.com  

Whisky on Washington
A laid-back destination spot is Whisky on Washington in downtown St. Louis. The intimate bar has a selection of premium whiskey, scotch and classic cocktails including an Old-Fashioned made with the Black-owned whiskey brand Uncle Nearest and the Wow-mopolitan, a whiskey twist on the Cosmopolitan. If guests are hungry, they can order in food while sipping or bring in takeout.
1321 Washington Ave, St. Louis, 314.925.8409, whiskyonwashington.com