Eight Black-owned businesses to check out in Bloomington-Normal | Features
Looking to support more locally owned businesses, or simply in need of a new go-to store? Here are eight Black-owned businesses to check out and support in the Bloomington-Normal area.
Salon Ahhh La Carte
This wellness salon is owned by Ada Givan and is located 707 N. East St. in Bloomington. Salon Ahhh La Carte has been working to provide clients with love, health, wellness, passion and beauty since 2010.
Givan aims to give therapeutic health advice while making women and men feel amazing. Givan has also created a weight loss beverage called Bye Bye Belly.
Givan said that her end goal is to support and educate people on health and wellness around the Bloomington community.
To get more information about this salon and make appointments, visit the salon’s Facebook page or call (309)-287-0284.
C&N Beauty Supply
C&N Beauty Supply is located at 1305 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington. Store owners Chiquita and Nate Caldwell sell beauty, hair and clothing products.
This beauty supply store is owned by Chiquitia and Nate Caldwell and is located at 1305 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington.
The store provides beauty and hair products for men, women and children. They also supply wigs, t-shirts, shorts, barber items, women’s leggings, purses and more.
To get more information about this Black-owned beauty supply store, call (309)-319-2157.
RE/MAX Choice
This real estate company is owned by agent Belinda Brock and is located at 2203 Eastland Drive in Bloomington. Brock is dedicated to helping people find their dream homes. She opens her doors to anyone who is interested in buying, selling or curious about the market.
Bloomington’s RE/MAX Choice is ran by real estate agent Belinda Brock. The office is located at 2203 Eastland Drive.
Brock has access to the top listings, aworldwide network, marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology. Her goal is to work as hard as she can to provide families with a wonderful real estate experience that is memorable and enjoyable.
To look at some of the beautiful homes she has listed, visit Belinda Brock on remax.com or call (309)-287-6105.
Kuttin’ Edge Entertainment
This entertainment service is a DJ company that is owned and operated by Cliff Gillespie.
“I always had a strong love and passion for music, so I would DJ for family and friends as a side hobby. Then more and more people started to ask me to DJ at parties and weddings, so I turned it into a small, local business,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie’s business provides music for events like weddings, parties and family events. Gillespie’s goal is carter to any customer that needs music. He is also an alumni of Illinois State University, graduating from the class of 1988.
To book him for events, visit his website at kuttinedgeent.com or call (309)-826-2055.
Sugar baby muahh
This company is a local clothing retail store owned by Kharima Walker and located at 1615 E. Empire St. This small boutique is dedicated to women by women.
Sugar Baby Muahh is a retail clothing company owned by Kharima Walker. The store is located at 1615 E. Empire St. in Bloomington.
Walker provides women with beauty clothes and custom clothing as well. They have the latest trendy looks for the ladies, selling everything from women’s heels to small hair accessories.
Their motto is “Only for the most limited edition.” They also use local models from the Bloomington-Normal area to showcase their items, including Black ISU students.
To see more of what the boutique has to offer, visit sugarbabymuahh.com.
Genesis Hall Therapeutic Services
Genesis Hall, LCSW Therapeutic Services is located at 2103 E. Washington St. Suite 2G, and she specializes in therapeutic services and life coaching.
Hall aims to create a non-judgmental environment and provide a safe space for her clients. Her mission is to enlighten, inspire and encourage the lives of people daily.
Hall utilizes her years of training and life experience to encourage clients by giving them accountability, encouragement and sustainability on their life journey. To complete this, she relies on spiritual and practical principles to get people the life results they want.
To reach out to Hall for counseling or questions, email [email protected] or call (773)-587-6062.
Bloomington Normal Barber College
This barber college is owned by Cassius Crittendon and located at 1116 E. Lafayette St. in Bloomington. BNBC is known for spreading education and services to barbers. They have been sharing knowledge since 2012.
Crittendon also owns and operates several other barbershops in the past 20 years before opening his barbershop school. Their mission is to provide quality, affordable and convenient barber education in central Illinois.
Graduates from BNBC aim to perform professionally and uphold traditional barber practices, which in turn will enhance the barbering industry.
BNBC is open from 9 am to 2 pm Tuesday and from 9 am to 5 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information or booking appointments, visit bnbarbercollege.com or call (309)-828-1234.
Strong Counseling Services
This local counseling service is owned and operated by Cheryl W. Strong, and is located at 2416 E. Washington St. Suite A-2. Strong specializes in therapeutic services for adult and adolescent counselling, with a specialization in trauma.
For more information, email [email protected] or call (308)-660-0798.
LORRIELLE WALLS is a News and Features Reporter for The Vidette. Walls can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow Walls on Twitter at @285_WallsLorrie
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