Photo by DISRUPTIVO on Unsplash
One of the most wonderful things about the greater Tampa Bay community is its diversity. Another is its entrepreneurial spirit. St. Petersburg is jam-packed with amazing, one-of-a-kind businesses to meet any need. We at Maintain are proud to celebrate our community – especially the Black business owners who are an instrumental part of making it what it is. We are with those who stand for justice now and who stood for justice over the course of hundreds of years. Today, we’re overjoyed to share some of our favorite Black-owned businesses in St. Pete. We highly encourage you to check them out if you haven’t yet!
Ray’s Vegan Soul (Restaurant)
The beauty of Ray’s is that it offers incredible, flavorful vegan food, taking the logistical planning out of the equation for those going out to eat in a group with dietary restrictions. Their delicious food isn’t just plant-based; it’s made without five of the most common allergens: gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, and peanuts. When he opened his restaurant, Chef Ray’s mission was to “create edible masterpieces that everyone will enjoy.” We can say, without a doubt, that the mission has been accomplished!
Cultured Books (Bookstore)
One of my favorite things is to spend an afternoon browsing a bookstore – especially if it’s locally owned and I know my business is going straight to a member of my community. Cultured Books isn’t just a beautiful bookshop in the heart of St. Pete; its team is committed to promoting literacy, sharing messages of social justice, and providing our community with diverse, engaging stories. They curate reading lists, host book clubs, and have an incredible array of works in a variety of genres. They’re located at The Well, and we cannot recommend them enough.
Body Butters by Design (Beauty/Skincare)
We love a great-smelling skincare product as much as the next person – especially when we know that that product is handmade with natural ingredients. Body Butters by Design’s products are sustainably made with 100% mango-based butter. They don’t just smell amazing: they’re incredibly effective, and they help you maintain a lower carbon footprint.
Blue Sage Boutique (Retail)
If you’re looking for incredible new candles, look no further than Blue Sage Eco Boutique. It was founded with the mission to bring eco-friendly, all-natural handmade candles to our community – and wow, have they succeeded! Blue Sage’s founder, Christina, has degrees in both business management and global sustainability, and she has combined her entrepreneurial skills with her passion for sustainability to create these beautiful, long-lasting candles. Check them out!
Tucker Enterprise (Tree Trimming & Landscaping)
A family-owned business in Tampa Bay for over 18 years, Tucker Enterprise offers world-class professional tree trimming and landscaping services throughout Tampa Bay. The tucker team’s top-of-the-line equipment, extensive training, and ceaseless commitment to professionalism and effectiveness are second to none. If you need any trees, stumps, or hedges taken care of on your property, look no further than this incredible company!
We hope you’ll take a moment to check out all of these incredible businesses in our community. We’re always looking for new local businesses to support. If you have a personal favorite you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about it! Drop us a line if you’d like to talk about how to take your local business to the next level.