We wanted to learn more from our current Insiders of 2021 to share with us as we update our annual Local Louisiana Black-Owned Business Guide. Below are some of their responses, as they share some of their favorite items or places to buy from and why they enjoy these businesses, if you continue to scroll down, you'll see our list from 2020.
We are kicking it off with our insider Cameron, you can find her on the ‘gram @redsticklife. She tells us that she’s not a big retail shopper, but food is where she loves to spend her local dollars. Great local joints like Boil & Roux located in Baton Rouge on 11777 Coursey Blvd, Pit n Peel on 2101 Government Street, Zeeland Street on 2031 Perkins Blvd, and Chef Schonberg’s Sweets (who we love and was on our 2020 list below) - “all have such amazing food,” she says!
Chef Celeste
Cameron also mentioned Chef Celeste, and we wanted to spotlight her and her business achievements! She has captivated the palates of Pentagon staff, Rosie O’Donnell, Matthew McConaughey, John Edwards, and the casts of numerous blockbuster films. Her skill and perspective have earned accolades that include Chef of the Year from the American Culinary Federation, the Seafood Award from Capital Chefs’ Showcase, and first place in the Fall Heat Cooking Competition.
Because these events led to so many requests for spices and seasonings, Chef Celeste began packaging and selling Louisiana Honey Mustard and her new line of Senior Seasonings.
Chef Celeste shares her love of Louisiana cuisine through her two locations of Chef Celeste Bistro located at Main Street Market & The NeuroMedical Center in Perkins Rowe. You can also find her catering or booking out her new establishment 520 Spain as the perfect place to host business meetings or bridal showers. For more info on Chef Celeste, go to chefceleste.com or on Instagram @chefceleste.
Our insider, Rebecca, loves supporting locals. Recently married, loves shopping at H Kyle Boutique, located in Gonzales!! The owner, Tia Whittington, is a wife + mom but also a total BOSS BABE!! Rebecca has followed her for years. Rebecca says, “I bought my neoprene bag from HKyle and absolutely love it. I use it for everything! It’s a great place to shop for girls’ birthday presents, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas! + ALL holiday outfits!”
H Kyle was on our list in 2020, and we can see why! For more info on H Kyle, go to shophkyle.com or on Instagram @shophkyle.
Megan Kerr loves fashion and sharing about local businesses; her favorite spot that is a new addition to our 2021 list is Lazy Nerds Designs! They are a small team of artists who design, craft, and print their own products. They create anime inspired hats and t-shirts great for Christmas and birthday gifts. For more info on Lazy Nerds Designs, go to lazynerdsdesign.com or on Instagram @lazynerdsdesigns.
Up next, our very own Sweet Baton Rouge graphic designer, Sarah is sharing her picks with you. She tells us how much she loves what is being cultivated at Millennial Park! Cameron Jackson has transformed a parking lot into a space for community and togetherness. Sarah says, “I love that Marc Fresh was able to create a large format mural that speaks to not only the black community in Baton Rouge, but also what it means to be a member of our Baton Rouge community as a whole. I think Jackson and his team have done a great job to showcase Black Owned restaurants, like Jive Turkey and Royal Taste.” For more info on Millennial Park, go to millennialparkbr.com or on Instagram @millennialpark.
Jay Curlee is sharing a new business with us, Southern Cofe!! This place was her escape during law school. The vibe is so unique and amazing. Jay shares her insight, “The owner, Horatio Isadore, has created a nurturing and fun place to be. His juices are the best! They are made with the freshest ingredients and are just what the doctor ordered. My favorite juice was the "Green Latifah"! It's like the cleanest zap of energy!”
Southern Cofe is more than just a coffee shop. It has become a community hub for the Scotland area. They have installed an in-house podcasting studio and promote community events like Jazz on the Plazz and group hiking days.
Any time is a great time to be at Southern Cofe, but if you're a hard-working and drained person of any occupation, it's perfect to refuel your energy.
For more info on Southern Cofe, you can visit their storefront located at 8418 Scotland Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 or on Instagram @SouthernCofe
Additionally, Krystal Faircloth has amazing resources over on her blog, A Pinch Of Lovely, and 225 Magazine and Visit Baton Rouge both have an extensive list of Baton Rouge Black-owned restaurants.
Also, be sure to check out SupportBlack.biz. This website is an online directory of Black-owned businesses in the community so that consumers can more easily discover them and the businesses can connect with each other and grow together.
As we have a large community, we know that some businesses and restaurants are not yet on any of these lists. Please continue to share with us, comment and help us add more companies that are from here in the Greater Baton Rouge Area and we will continue to update our list.
Breedlove Beauty Co.
Breedlove Beauty Co. is a Baton Rouge-based natural, minimalistic skin and hair care company. They use 100% natural and organic ingredients in their small-batch products. Meant to be a simple approach to natural beauty, Breedlove Beauty Co. aims to simplify your skincare routine. Every product is thoughtfully created to make everyday self-care indulging, relaxing, and rejuvenating.
Chef Schonberg’s Sweets
Chef Amanda Schonberg is a renowned chef and baker, passionate about her boozy sweet treats and the Baton Rouge community. Her sweets, designed with adults in mind, are widely praised and also support the community. Specializing in alcohol-infused cakes and gourmet confections, Chef Schonberg focuses on using locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients in her orders.
H KYLE Boutique
H Kyle is a boutique on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, started in 2013. With a love for fashion, owner, Tia, hopes that you will find H Kyle as a perfect stop for cute accessories, gifts, and apparel.
Honey Dew Sips and Savory
Toni Shea and her team made our 2019 Local Pop-Up Shop MAGICAL with Honey Dew Sips and Savory’s coffee and treats offered inside the shop during our two-week Pop-Up Shop. We loved seeing her smile every day and if you’re lucky – you may spot Mazi & Toni soon. Their team is back in business, serving our community in the cutest vintage camper cafe you’ve ever seen.
Krafty Kravingz
LaKenda, owner of Krafty Kravingz, is of our own Sweet Baton Rouge Insiders. LaKenda is the definition of a #girlboss, and her shop is full of accessories for the everyday fashionista, personalized Krafts, and more.
Makeup by Meggan
Meggan is a New Orleans native with a passion for creating unique, personal, makeup looks. Highly recognized by some of the biggest brands in the industry, Meggan has her own makeup line and can be contacted on her website.
Okoye Couture
Morgan Udoh launched her passion project, Okoye Couture, in May 2018. It quickly developed into a wearable art small business that focuses on storytelling through polymer clay creations. Inspired by Morgan’s own genealogy research, Okoye (meaning “one who is born on market day” in Yoruba) Couture allows her to tell and share the beauty, diversity, and history of the African continent and its diaspora one culture at a time.
Plant Based Sweets by Lotus
Sweet Baton Rouge has worked with Plant Based Sweets by Lotus first at the Ultimate Tailgate last August and again last fall for our Local Pop Up holiday event. You can shop their tasty vegan treats all on plantbasedsweetsbylotus.com.
Tie Travel
Jared Jarvis used to go to thrift shops and goodwills to find old ties with fresh patterns so he could alter them to fit his style. In 2020, he decided to create Tie Travel, a private label of handmade neckties that are influenced by the places all around us. His goal is not only to support his passion for travel, but to also introduce new places, styles, and designs to any who stumble across his creations.
The Cupcake Collection
Mignon Francois, owner and CEO of The Cupcake Collection, is a New Orleans girl through and through. Having perfected her cakes, a trip to her location in NOLA should be in the near future for all of us in Baton Rouge. Mignon is an entrepreneur well recognized for her accomplishments, and a mother of 6 who creates a sense of home and family in her bakeries because that is the same environment that her idea was created in.
Pottery by Osa
Pottery by Osa is a one-woman business; Osa Atoe sells her handcrafted red stoneware clay creations on her Etsy shop. She is a “Louisiana transplant”, originally from the Washington DC area, and she is proud that her work can be expressive of many of the different cultures prevalent in the US.
West London Btq
This New Orleans fashion staple began as a small, out of a home office operation by owner Mariah Walton Bencik. With her expertise, West London Btq. was bound to grow, and so it did. Mariah has worked with numerous “high fashion houses”, styled the covers of many magazines, and been an educator on business and fashion. Mariah “believes that with the right tools and where-with-all, that anyone can become set up for success and outclass the competition.”
Zeeland Street
This restaurant prides itself on home-cooked, healthy meals. Daily, you can find sandwiches, salads, and other lunch plates to pick up. Zeeland Street is located in the Garden District in Baton Rouge.
225 Sweets
You can order 225 Sweets online, and allow 48 hours for your yummy treat to be ready, like their flavored popcorn such as; cookies & cream or strawberry cheesecake to name a few or pralines to cookies! Visit 225 Sweets here!
pHirstBite By Chef Simone
At their stand, you can find so much produce, of fruits and vegetables, you can find them ready with smiles every Wed & Sat from 10 am – 4 pm. Corner of Hwy 19 & Cunard Ave, 70807. The stand was opened for business in April of 2020, to read their full story, written in 225 Magazine this month, click here!
