Located in Stonecrest, Georgia, the New Black Wall Street Market is a venue filled with Black-owned businesses, food, art and entertainment. December marked six months of the market’s existence, and it is already thriving.
Developed by the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute, the space houses about 60 businesses, including several dining options, a jazz club and an art gallery.
“The New Black Wall Street Market’s mission is to increase the size and number of minority and women-owned businesses throughout the United States and globally,” Maria Hampton, Director Of Communications for Allen Entrepreneurial Institute, said in a statement.
For the Black-owned businesses housed at the market, business has been great.
Icing on the Cake is one of the businesses thriving in the New Black Wall Street Market. Owned by Sal Bando and his wife, Kezmit Columbus, the business has been busy selling Bando’s popular red velvet cheesecake and key lime pie cupcakes.
For the couple, the market is not only as an opportunity to grow their company but also to be part of “something that is going to be a part of history,” Columbus said in an interview. “We want to be part of something, part of the neighborhood.”
The market also has space in the rear of the building dedicated to pop-up vendors.
“Some people are ready for full-time residency here. Others are pop-ups, and some are on consignment in the grocery store,” said New Black Wall Street Market director Matt Hampton. “We’re trying to scale food businesses and see people grow at various levels.”
According to Hampton, it was inspired by the legacy of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“It’s an emotional high seeing this place impact the lives of people,” he told Fox 5 Atlanta. “Our goal is to see minority businesses grow, show these folks how to do this, and see that talent go as far as it can,” said Hampton. “Our job is to develop these entrepreneurs, so they can scale it on a national level.”
In 2022, the market is set to open three new sit-down restaurants — Big Mama’s Porch, the Pink Lion’s Jazz Club, and Gumbo Café. The latter, located near the entrance of the shopping center, will offer a full bar and seat up to 125 inside plus more on the patio.
You can learn more about the market on Instagram.
