HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Since today is Valentine’s Day , below are some Black owned businesses that we can support by getting our loved ones their favorite personal care items, flowers or sweet treats! #supportblackbusinesses FRANZ JAMES FLORAL BOUTIQUE 2114 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026 Steeped in business, Franz makes the numbers work but with a twist. A musician by nature and a businessman by experience, Franz brings a creative, connected spirit to every undertaking. If it's possible and sometimes even when it's not, he'll find a way to make it happen. Affable and unassuming, Franz brings his unique experiences to everyone he encounters. Franz was an artist and third generation floral designer. His work has been seen on specialty news segments on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and in the public spaces of important New York hotels, including the Ritz Carlton, the Waldorf Astoria, the Pierre, and the Marriott. His clients include many celebrities from television, film, and stage. In addition to his artistry, Franz’s success may be attributed to his ability to use each flower to its greatest effect and to envision an entire event or a single bouquet from the perspective of those who hold it. LEE LEE’S BAKED GOODS 83 W 118th St, New York, NY 10026 Alvin Lee Smalls was a professional baker at New York Hospital for 27 years before he started his own business in 1988. He recognized that the food industry was shifting toward more processed foods and wanted to continue giving his community whole and fresh ingredients. Alvin, who was raised in the South, used his pension and savings to open Lee Lee's Bakery in Harlem. "Baking is an art that is perfected over time," Alvin said. "It's an up-early-work-long-hours type of job. You have to love coming in and mixing a few key ingredients that make little miracles that delight." But even though Alvin is an established baker, he faced obstacles with starting his business. "Systemic racism in banking meant I wasn't able to secure a business loan, so aside from my savings and pension I had to rely on street loans," said Smalls. Nevertheless, Alvin opened his bakery and Lee Lee's became a community staple. People lined up for his Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, Sand Tarts and Babka. Smalls even supported young entrepreneurs by allowing his store to be an incubator space for start-ups. L.A. SWEETS NY 192 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10026 L.A Sweets NY is a local bakery located in Harlem, NY. They pride themselves on serving delicious sweet treats to their community. Offering fast service sweet treats such as cupcakes, cookies, sliced cakes, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes & more! Additionally, they specialize in custom cakes and baked goods and the best part, THEY ARE VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE FRIENDLY! SOAPS BY JAH https://www.soapsbyjah.com/ Since 2017, Jah has been hand making all different varieties of soap. In recent years, she has taken her talents from behind the bar slinging cocktails, to the workshop, slinging batches of soap. Through practice, gained knowledge, and repetition, she has developed a growing collection of unique and all natural soap bars and skincare products that encourage overall healthy skin while targeting specific concerns. SIGNS CANDLES https://www.signscandles.com/ Born and raised in "X" also known as The Bronx, Atisha Benjamin is a self- taught candle maker. She began her journey in November 2018 when she created her first candle to allow aromas to linger through her home. She soon discovered how calm, soothing -- yet-- fascinating and sexy it was to make candles. The ideas of finding the right scents intrigued her. It was even more gratifying to flicker a lighter on a wick and watch it burn. In July 2020, Atisha turned her passion into a reality and opened Signs Candles. She describes Signs Candles as a signature. Scents that easily put you in a trance and is hard to forget.