Black-Owned Businesses in Uptown

Check out this list of 20 Black-owned businesses that help make Uptown a thriving neighborhood.

Whether you're looking for a sweet treat, a night out on the town, or even a new dentist, get to know these entrepreneurs who are part of our community.

Cheesecake Carousel

Originally from New York City, this family-owned bakery has been serving signature cheesecakes since 2007. They moved to Charlotte, NC, to share their generational recipes and passion for baking. Using premium ingredients, they create creamy cheesecakes with homemade fruit glazes. Their menu includes classic flavors like Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Turtle, and Tiramisu, as well as specialty varieties.

@Don's Restaurant & Lounge

This First Ward restaurant offers American food with great cocktails, wine, and patio space.

Day & Night Cereal Bar

Hit up this exotic dessert bar full of fun cereal creations.

FUN FACT: Founder Karmon Dupree, Jr., started Day & Night as a food truck in Los Angeles before his childhood friend, Greg Robinson, and Greg's girlfriend Danielle Booker, brought the idea to Charlotte.

Epic Times

An exciting new jewelry store located inside the EpiCentre.

Famous Toastery

A popular spot with the business crowd, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch all day, every day.

FUN FACT: The owners, former NFL player Justin Griffith and his former Panthers TopCat wife, Kim, chose to settle in Charlotte because of its "hometown feel."

Fourth Ward Barber & Styling

An awesome barbershop with meticulous attention to detail located in Fourth Ward.

Freshwaters

Loved by many, a classic Southern dining restaurant serving authentic fine Southern & New Orleans cuisine.

Havana Smoke

A unique, members-only cigar social club with a full bar.

Hip Hop Smoothies

Beloved local smoothie shop just opened inside the Market at 7th St!

It's Poppin Gourmet Kettle Korn

Specialty flavored popcorn located inside the Market at 7th Street (Try the cookies and cream!)

Jinya

Owner Jahzmin French first fell in love with the food industry by waiting tables in high school. She started her restaurant consulting business, which is how she met her co-owner and business partner, Brad Phelps.

FUN FACT: Jahzmin most enjoys sharing her love of food with her customers and being able to meet new and different people from table to table.

Mad Dash

Chef & Owner Corey Jones took two of his favorites food and brought them into one location. Mad Dash offers Chef-Driven Sandwiches, Tacos, Loaded Fresh Cut Fries, House Made Chips and more. Chef Corey utilizes all fresh ingredients and products from local businesses in Charlotte.

Mert's Heart and Soul

James Bazzelle moved to Charlotte in 1991, working as a chef at the Holiday Inn before opening Mert's Heart and Soul with his wife, Renee’, in 1998.

Charlotte was the perfect place to open a restaurant because it's a city that's "small and not big, but big and not small."

FUN FACT: Mert's is named after Ms. Mertle Lockhart, one of James' most loyal customers from his first restaurant in Charlotte called Georgia on Tryon.

My StoryCafé

Tucked in the heart of Brevard Court, My Story Café is the perfect spot to cozy up and grab a book from their community library or people-watch!

No Grease Barbershop

A men's barbershop dedicated to hair and personal care right by the Spectrum Center.

FUN FACT: This unique barbershop was founded in 1997 by twin brothers Damian and Jermaine Johnson, whose mother was also a beautician and salon owner.