If you’re planning to do a short, domestic trip, why not consider visiting Montgomery, Alabama? Not only does it have its share of Black-owned businesses, much of its history concerns Black people, from The Civil War to The Civil Rights Movement.
If you’re interested in learning about these crucial chapters in American history, check out the Rosa Parks Museum, the Civil Rights Memorial, The Freedom Rides Museum and the Alabama State Archives.
As a state, Alabama is known for its Southern hospitality, its wide range of delicious cuisine and its devotion to college football. Also, you’ll find some surprisingly nice beaches along the Gulf shores.
Here are some Black-owned businesses you can support within a weekend, while in Montgomery.
1. Day 1- Morning
Head over to Greg’s Breakfast Bar on Norman Bridge Road for your first meal of the day.
This is a family-owned establishment, reflecting the owner’s love of football. There are a series of affordable breakfast plates with grilled chicken, pancakes and salmon as the base.
2. Afternoon
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Don’t think vegan food can’t be tasty, because with the right seasoning and preparation it can be.
Head to Plant Bae in downtown Montgomery, founded by Dr. Quebe Merritt. She was inspired to start the restaurant after becoming vegan in 2018.
According to the website, Plant Bae is the only fully vegan restaurant in Montgomery. It offers vegan versions of burgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. You can also purchase Plant Bae t-shirts, masks and other merchandise.
After spending a few hours at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, head over to Verde Café, which faces Newell Lake. It’s operated by Nick and Davena, whose pimento cheese was called one of the best in the South by Taste of The South magazine.
3. Evening
For tasty ribs and more, head to Brenda’s Bar-B-Q Pit, one of the longest running of its kind in the city. It was founded in 1942.
Donetta Bethune shared her thoughts with Alabama Life & Culture on the restaurant’s value to the Black community in Montgomery.
“I can tell you that it means a whole lot,” she said. “When you think about the African-American community in Montgomery, so many of the restaurants that we remember as kids, childhood restaurants, they’re not there anymore. They’re all gone. They faded away.”
4. Day 2- Morning
Patronize The Coffee House on Adams Avenue, the first Black-owned coffee shop in the city. It’s run by Tolesha Hardmon and her daughter Skye.
Enjoy croissants, cheese danishes and specialty coffee infused with CBD.
The Rosa Parks Museum, part of The United States Civil Rights Trail, is part of the Troy University campus. It’s the only museum solely dedicated to Parks and provides information for visitors of all ages.
There’s a broad collection of objects connected to Parks, such as her fingerprint taken during her arrest, as well as a model of a Montgomery 1950s- era bus.
5. Afternoon
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Ishi? is a clothing company which caters to plus-sized women. Currently, they operate in Montgomery and Mountain Brook, a suburb of Birmingham.
Step back in time by participating in a Civil Rights era bus tour conducted by My Montgomery Tours.
The founder, Jake Williams, is not only a historian, he’s able to speak on The Civil Rights Movement as somebody who lived through it.
Williams “was involved in all the Civil Rights mass meetings and protests that organized and registered Blacks to vote.”
6. Evening
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The Seafood Bistro on Perry Hill Road is co-owned by a Black woman, Jessica Do, and her husband Paul.
Choose from the Dragon Shrimp appetizer, Paul’s Cajun-ish Gumbo and the fried pickles. There are also eight kinds of Po’ Boys.
For retail therapy, head over to Beyoutiful Boutique, a fashion truck offering stylish threads mostly for women. The owner, Keiauna, came up with the concept in 2014, and you also have the option to order online.