From local retailers, to florists, to transportation providers, Albany County is home to a variety of black-owned businesses and black-led organizations. Whether you are searching for a gift from a locally-owned shop, a non-profit to support, or transportation for your next event, these black-owned businesses in Albany County have you covered.
Please note that this list is not meant to be comprehensive, but to highlight some of the Black-owned businesses in Albany County.
Additional Lists of Local Black-Owned Businesses:
10 Black-Owned Restaurants & Bakeries in Albany (Discover Albany)
Guide to Black-Owned Businesses & Black-Led Organizations (Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy)
Black-Owned Businesses in Downtown (Downtown Albany BID)
50+ Black-Owned Capital Region Businesses (Instagram: @yelpalbany)
Eat & Drink
Allie B's Cozy Kitchen
Allie B's Cozy Kitchen is Albany's go-to spot for soul food and southern-style cuisine. Chef-owner Kizzy Williams-Francisco named the restaurant after her mother and serves up family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Savor fried chicken, collard greens, candied yams, fried fish, barbecue pork rib sandwiches and many more soul food dishes from this hidden gem.
Irie Vybez
Irie Vybez has served up a taste of the Caribbean on Central Avenue in Albany for over a decade. Boasting an extensive menu of Jamaican cuisine, the restaurant offers smoothies, salads, soups, pastas and more! Order breakfast to try menu items such as tin or salt mackerel, a traditional homemade Jamaican breakfast dish, or Jamaican brown stew liver. For lunch or dinner, the restaurant offers jerk chicken, oxtails, fried chicken and much more!
Umana Yana Restaurant
Savor comfort food from around the world at Umana Yana Restaurant. The welcoming eatery is the only spot in the Capital Region that serves up Ethiopian fare every night. The restaurant embodies the spirit of diversity and celebrates global flavors with dishes such as Ethiopian Injera Plate and Coconut Curry Fish. Umana has a dedicated vegan takeout menu with a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes available.
Sweet Treats & Baked Goods
Nelly's Treats Boutique Bakery
This Remsen Street business serves up sweets for every occasion. Specializing in cakes, cupcakes, charcuterie boards and more, Nelly's treats has grown from owner, Renel teaching herself how to bake in her kitchen to the lovely boutique bakery it is today. Nelly's offers specialized and custom treats as well as classes for children and adults!
Great Exbaketations
Based out of Albany, GreatExbaketations is a bakery specializing in scratch-baked, made-to-order booze-infused cakes. Owner Cheyenne Simmons takes pride in using products from local Upstate New York distilleries, artisans and makers to create her one-of-a-kind cakes. Treat yourself to a bananas foster cake, classic rum cake, chocolate borracha cake or one of the seasonal options! Want to sample all the flavors? GreatExbaketations has you covered with cake "flights" featuring four mini-cakes. The bakery does not have a storefront but purchase the booze-infused cakes on their website or keep an eye out for pop-ups around the Capital Region.
Shopping & Style
Fresh & Fly Clothing
Fresh & Fly Clothing is located in the heart of downtown Albany at 13 South Pearl Street. Described as the "Official Swag Headquarters," the locally-owned retailer doesn't create style and fashion - they enhance it! Visit the downtown Albany storefront to browse a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and kids. Fresh & Fly also has an online shop with clothing and accessories available to ship straight to your house.
Blooms by Marie
Blooms by Marie is a neighborhood florist specializing in luxury floral designs for all occasions. Owner Marie Campbell started this venture in her house last spring. The business flourished and now operates out of a shop on Madison Avenue in Albany. With a focus on superb customer service, Blooms by Marie has stunning floral arrangements and wrapped bouquets perfect for birthdays, holidays, weddings or just to brighten someone's day. Swing by the shop on Madison Avenue to order a custom floral arrangement or peruse the selection of bouquets and gifts.
Transportation
Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle
Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle is Albany's go-to service for all transportation needs. Whether you are searching for a way to transport your family and friends on your wedding day, shuttle conference attendees to and from a venue, or even a luxurious, reliable ride to a special event, Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle offers it all with a focus on impeccable customer service. The shuttle service's fleet of vehicles includes SUVs, vans, luxe buses, mini buses, 40 passenger party bus and 55 passenger chart bus.
Check out Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle CEO Trent Griffin-Braaf's favorite spots around Albany County with his Discover My Albany video.
Creative Community
Youth FX
Youth FX is a non-profit organization designed to immerse young people of color in the creative and technical aspects of digital film making and media production. Based in Albany, Youth FX works primarily with youth residing in the South End, Arbor Hill and West Hill neighborhoods. From one-day workshops, to multiple week intensives, Youth FX provides hands-on programming for young people of color to develop digital video production skills, from editing to screenwriting to producing, by creating documentaries and short films.
