(Updated February 8, 2022) I don’t know that I’ve ever frequented an establishment based solely on the color of the owner’s skin but I do know a community, like most everything else, is better served when it is served a variety of cultures, experiences and viewpoints. West Chester is fortunate to have such diversity. We can choose from restaurants, like Miss Winnie’s, that offer authentic Jamaican dishes or Mabel’s, whose juicy barbecue is achieved through generation-held techniques; entertainment, like Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts, whose offerings range from ballet to modern, jazz to hip hop, and salons, like Velvet Hair Studio, mission: “bring natural Texture, enhanced Richness, and Diversity to all hair,” who serve all hair types.
But diversity isn’t guaranteed. Like other aspects of the pandemic, COVID-19 had a disproportionate effect on black-owned businesses. Last year to an article in Forbes magazine documented the discrepancies, “The number of active Black-owned businesses fell 41% between February and April 2020.” This compares with 22 percent of American small businesses overall. This year however, the numbers are hinting at a different story, particularly among women business owners of color.
I don’t know if West Chester has benefited from the surge, (not that we didn’t already have several amazing black female business owners) but we also have been pretty stable in our losses. I added no new businesses this year and removed only one. If there are any black-owned businesses I am missing, send me an email or leave a comment and I will add them to the list.
Special thanks to Heather Bee at the “Odd Bee” for letting me excerpt her list for this post. You can find her list here.
Black-Owned Businesses in the Borough of West Chester
Auto Repair
Yarnall’s Garage
214 W. Washington St.
Yarnall’s Garage provides five star auto repair with a focus on customer service – right here in the borough. So if you’re local no need to arrange a drop off and pick up ride (yes, this is where my mind goes). Plus, Yarnall’s has a looong history in the borough. The garage opened in 1928.
Beauty & Hair
Another Level Barbershop
312 E. Gay Street
According to their Facebook page, Another Level Barbershop has been in business since 1998. Owned by Anthony Johnson, this four chair barbershop is the home of good times, great business, and lasting friendships.
Maple Alley Barbers
537 Maple Alley
Located near West Chester University, the barbers here specialize in fades, blow-outs and beards for any hair types. Latest news and link to book appointments, here.
Velvet Hair Studio
308 E. Gay Street
What a lovely website and I just love the mission of this downtown studio: “Our mission at Velvet is to bring natural Texture, enhanced Richness, and Diversity to all hair.” (Yes, I have included it twice in this post.) You can learn more and schedule an appointment here.
Daycares
Little Faces Childcare Center
Little Faces Childcare Center is a full service year-round childcare center serving children, infants through 12 years. The center was opened 10 years ago after owner Tonya Wells noticed that the west end of the Borough was lacking in childcare services for families. Learn more about Tonya and Little Faces here.
Editor’s note: I went off list of this one, so I can’t say there aren’t other black-owned daycares in the area. I just happen to know this one is.
Events and Entertainment
Diane Matthews School of Dance
315 Westtown Road, Suite 9
The studio is led by the much accomplished Diane Matthews who began her career studying at the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts and has danced professionally as a featured solo ballerina for the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company. But despite her rigorous training background, the school creates an inviting atmosphere for students to learn. As one patron put it, “It is a friendly and welcoming environment to learn dance, which can be quite rare.”
Diane and her talented team also run West Chester Dance Works, a 501C-3 organization, dedicated to bringing the many benefits of dance to all.
Milestone Events
600 E. Market Street
Milestone Events is an elegantly appointed special events venue just outside of downtown West Chester. The venue offers over 5,000 sq ft of flexible event space including a welcoming foyer, patios, meeting rooms, and of course, a great room for all those milestone moments.
“This event center hosts culturally diverse events both private and public for all families in and around our beloved community,” shared West Chester Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste, who along with her family owns Milestone Events.
Fashion
LeBerger
125 N. Church Street
Located on Church Street right next to Kooma, LeBerger is an accessories retailer focusing on delivering high-quality merchandise at an attainable price point. Stock turns over regularly so there are always new treats to explore, plus 10 percent of all online purchases go to helping West African women and children escape domestic violence.
Food
“Everything we do is done with good taste and our customers’ enjoyment in mind. Nothing pleases us more than happy people!”
Bert Johnston, Head Chef, Miss Winnies
Miss Winnies
211 E. Market Street
Winning Best of the Mainline in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Miss Winnie’s has been the area’s go-to place for Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine since it opened in 2017. Go for the Jerk Chicken sandwich, stay for the plantain tarts. See their full menu here.
Lorenzo’s Steaks & Hoagies: the Big Meat on Market Street
216 E. Market Street
The original West Chester Lorenzo’s is a deli-style sandwich shop located on the east end of Market Street near the old train station. Featuring classic hoagies piled high, if you want to partake you’ll have to call, 610-696-5400. No online ordering here.
Mabel’s Barbecue
607 E. Market Street
Mabel’s Barbeque has earned a reputation for quality barbecue never rushed. Each batch is seasoned with a rich dry-rub and smoked for four hours to release the flavor and “unlock the goodness.” Getting hungry? Here’s the menu to get you started.
Scoops ‘n’ Smiles
6 E. Gay Street
Ice cream shop Scoops ‘n’ Smiles located on Gay Street is a family favorite – especially among the younger members. My kids’ love their large selection of homemade ice cream and ice flavors – and of course the sprinkle station. While I personally love the sophistication of our gelato options, it’s nice to have an ice cream parlor in town again. Especially one that does it as well as Scoops ‘n’ Smiles.
Funeral Homes
DeBaptiste Funeral Homes
25 S. Worthington Street
Serving the West Chester community in their time of need since 1954 and at this exact location since 1964, the DeBaptiste Funeral Home has a long legacy in West Chester. Not the least of which is providing the Borough with two of its mayors. Both Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste and now daughter Lillian DeBaptiste have served the community as both funeral director and mayor. Visit their website to learn more about their services and the many meanings of their promise to uplift life through service.
New to the site? Follow along for the latest from West Chester. Plus, the Borough’s best breakfast options and the latest updates on the restaurant scene.
What a great list! I sent my son to Little Faces And Miss Tonya was an exceptional director!
I’ve lived in the borough all of my life and I never knew Yarnalls to be Black owned. Also you may not know but the list of Black owned businesses has been reduced dramatically along with West Chester’s Black population during the wave of gentrification that started around 20 years ago.
Hi Neil, I did not know that but I don’t find it very surprising. Thanks for that insight and hopefully, we don’t lose any more!
Dear Community Members,
The Red Cross Needs Your Help!
The West Chester NAACP and St. Paul’s Baptist Church are hosting a blood drive on April 30, 2022, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 1 Hagerty Boulevard, West Chester, PA. I would sincerely appreciate your influence in encouraging the community to come out and donate blood. Your intervention is greatly appreciated during this urgent time. Click on the link below to donate.
The Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Adding to the concern is the surge of COVID-19 cases. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the Omicron variant takes over.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=WCNAACP
Please accept my heartfelt thanks in advance.
Hi Shawn, Thanks for sharing – I will try to include in an upcoming West Chester Roundup as well.
Thank you for your support.