February is Black History Month, a time for us to celebrate the generations of African Americans who helped shape our nation. One way to honor this cultural legacy is by supporting the many small businesses in the greater Sacramento area owned and operated by African Americans, ranging from on-trend boutiques to high-end restaurants, coffee shops to wineries and everything in between!

The following list was made possible, in part, by Sac Black Biz, a searchable database designed to connect consumers to African American business owners and entrepreneurs in order to bring attention to their role in a thriving economy. Following are just a handful of black-owned (and co-owned!) businesses throughout the greater Sacramento area. For more, visit Sac Black Biz.

Shopping

Underground Books | Oak Park

Photo courtesy Underground Books

Underground Books in Oak Park is much more than just a bookshop. Sure, they carry new and classic works by African American writers, but they also serve as a community hub, hosting lectures, book signings, poetry readings and story times. They also have an onsite market with snacks, gifts and clothing.

The Pop-Up Shop at Arden | Arden Arcade

Located in Arden Fair Mall, the Pop-Up Shop at Arden houses fashion, accessories and other products from local entrepreneurs, many of them African American. Items range from on-trend clothing and shoes to eyewear and body care products. They also have a selection of goods imported from Africa.

Sac City Stems | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy Sac City Stems

Are you a plant lover? If so, check out Sac City Stems in East Sacramento. They have houseplants galore, including philodendron, pothos, hoya and monstera. You can visit their storefront or order your plants online to have them shipped to your doorstep.

1 Up Retro Clothing | Oak Park

Want to add a vintage vibe to your look? Check out 1 Up Retro Clothing in  Oak Park. They carry carefully curated clothing from the 80s and 90s for men and women, as well as new garments. They also host special events, such as pop-ups featuring local artists, vendors and food.

Bask Farm Skin

Photo courtesy Bask Farm Skin

Owned by Sacramento native Chanel Cameron, Bask Farm specializes in edible flowers and microgreens. But she also has a line of all-natural skincare products such as calendula facial oil, cleansing balm and a clay mask, made with home-grown, botanical ingredients. You can find them at area vendor markets and local shops including The Dancer’s Pantry Shoppe and Mahina + Soul.

Book Queens

What’s better than a good book? A good book paired with a cozy cup of tea! Book Queens is an online shop dedicated to educating communities on African American culture. Best of all, every book ordered is paired with their signature hand-crafted teas, so you can “Steep, Read & Relax.”

Coffee & Tea

Tiferet Coffee House | East Sacramento

Photo courtesy Tiferet Coffee House

Locally roasted beans are the name of the game at Tiferet Coffee House, located inside Mercy Medical Plaza in East Sacramento. Owned by two sisters, this shop is known for its personalized service. In addition to drip coffee, espresso drinks and tea, they also serve baked goods from Estelle’s Patisserie.

Maestro Coffee House | Natomas

Skip the chains and instead get your caffeine fix from this quaint coffee shop in Natomas. In addition to the typical espresso drinks, they also serve tea, smoothies, pastries and desserts. Double bonus: they sell cakes (think German chocolate & lemon cake) from another black-owned business, Terri Does Desserts.

Classy Hippie Tea Co. | Oak Park

Photo courtesy Classy Hippie Tea Co.

Earl grey or English breakfast? Jasmine or matcha? Or perhaps you prefer milky oolong or Moroccan mint. Whatever your tea preference, they have it all at the Classy Hippie Tea Co. But they are more than just a tea company, they are a lifestyle brand that leads wellness retreats, hosts community-based events, and supports Herbal Allies, which provides business improvement loans to individuals in rural communities across the globe.

Black Coffee Roastery

Photo courtesy Black Coffee Roastery

This small-batch roastery features beans from across the globe, including Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia. You can order their products online or find them at the Midtown Farmers’ Market every Saturday.

Restaurants

Q1227 Restaurant | Roseville

Photo courtesy Q1227 Restaurant

Helmed by Chef Q Bennett, who led Sacramento’s Tower Bridge Dinner in 2022, Q1227 Restaurant in Roseville offers an upscale take on Southern comfort food. You can indulge in dishes like chicken-fried lobster bites, crispy shrimp & grits, or jambalaya. Other offerings include delicacies such as pan-seared scallops, beef Wellington, and Japanese wagyu beef.

Queen Sheba | Sacramento

Photo courtesy Queen Sheba

Authentic Ethiopian food is on the menu at Queen Sheba, a family-run restaurant on the Broadway corridor in Sacramento. If you’re not familiar, Ethiopian food comprises hearty (often spicy) meat- and veggie-based stews, which are served atop injera, a tangy, spongy flatbread. Also popular are fried, savory pastries known as sambuca, and tej, a honey wine.

Daddy O’s Smokehouse | Rancho Cordova

North Texas tradition is alive and well at Daddy O’s Smokehouse in Rancho Cordova. They serve ribs, pulled pork and brisket that have been slow-smoked using methods passed down through generations. Traditional sides like beans, collard greens and mac & cheese are also available, as are bottles of house-made barbecue sauce.

Café Connection | Downtown

Photo courtesy Cafe Connection

One of the few eateries in Sacramento that specializes in Caribbean cuisine, Café Connection dishes up jerk chicken, pholourie pea fritters and oxtail stew. Located across from the State Capitol in Downtown Sacramento, it’s a casual spot that offers lunch plates as well as sandwiches and wraps to go.

Nash & Proper | Downtown & Elk Grove

Photo courtesy Nash & Proper

With brick-and-mortar locations in Elk Grove and downtown Sacramento, this hotspot specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken — breaded, fried chicken doused with hot sauce. Plates are served with white bread and pickles, as per custom, and you can also add sides like slaw or greens. You can also choose your level of heat, from mild to “cluckin’ hot.” They also have a roaming food truck.

Midtown Bakery

Photo courtesy Francisco Chavira via Midtown Bakery

Cakes, pies, cookies, muffins — Midtown Bakery has whatever you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. They also have a selection of savory items such as a corn muffin with bacon. Hours are limited — they’re only open weekends from 8 a.m.– 2 p.m., or you can order goodies online.

Beer & Wine

Baker Family Wines | West Sacramento

Photo courtesy Melisa Claridad via Baker Family Wines

Baseball fan? You probably know Dusty Baker as a former pro baseball player and manager. These days, he spends his time as co-owner of Baker Family Wines in West Sacramento, which turns out varietals and blends from Northern California grapes.

Pangea Bier Café | Curtis Park

This friendly, neighborhood stop in Curtis Park offers more than 29 beers on tap on any given day, as well as more than 100 bottled beers from their onsite bottle shop. Although beer is the main draw, they’re also known for their food, especially their burger, which has been named the city’s best multiple times.

Urban Roots | Midtown

Photo courtesy Urban Roots

Lagers, pilsners and IPAs are just a few of the brews you’ll find at Urban Roots, a craft brewery and smokehouse close to Midtown Sacramento. In addition to beer, they have a robust menu featuring smoked meats, burgers, sandwiches and a few salads for good measure, as well as a lovely outdoor patio. They also own Cerveceria at the Shack in East Sacramento, which serves tacos, beer, and Mexican-inspired brunch.

Bump City Wine Co. | Clarksburg

With a primo spot in the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, Bump City Wine Co. produces wine from five varietals, including chardonnay and zinfandel. It was co-founded by Roger Smith, keyboardist of the soul & funk band Tower of Power, so it’s no surprise that the tasting room often features live music.