As far as self-care goes, treating yourself to a shopping spree or going to the spa is just the tip of the iceberg. The trendy practice can take on a surprising range of forms, from eating a warm, home-cooked meal to browsing a vintage store. For decades, such activities, as a means of building community and fostering resistance, have been deeply rooted in Black and brown communities — with a legacy that lives on in these four Black-owned businesses in New York City.
Finesse Cuts Barbershop
141 W. 41st St., Floor 2
Given its location in Midtown, you would never expect this Midtown barbershop’s reasonable prices. Since the 19th century, barbershops and beauty salons have served as vital sanctuaries, where Black Americans could not only get their hair done but also have open conversations about their lives with one another without the fear of repression. Finesse Cuts Barbershop embodies that history, with both its welcoming atmosphere and specialized services like hot towel shaves for clientele. If you want to release stress or have simply been craving a hair transformation, take a quick subway ride to meet the shop’s friendly staff.
Madame Matovu Vintage
240 W. 10th St.
A 10-minute walk from campus, this store’s racks of eclectic vintage wear and shelves of unique accessories make for a proper getaway from the otherwise bustling Village. Madame Matovu Vintage’s logo, an illustration of a Black woman with bright red lipstick and a pearl necklace with the caption “Me Too, I’m Free,” reflects founder Rosemary Wettenhall’s intentions. Originally from Uganda, Wettenhall opened the West Village store to foster an environment that embraced authenticity and individuality. She aims to establish long-term relationships with both the artists and designers she works with and the customers who walk into her store — and in doing so, offers a genuine experience rooted in the intersection of fashion and expression.
Ladoux Hair Braiding
1450 Fulton St., Brooklyn
Take the A train to Ladoux Hair Braiding in Bedford-Stuyvesant, one of many braiding shops on Fulton Street. Known for its knotless braids, box braids, Senegalese twists, cornrows and hair twists, this cash-only business with welcoming staff offers gentle, professional hair services. From braids being used as a means to signify tribe, age and identity in Africa to serving as maps of escape routes for enslaved people, braiding has historically served as both a tool of Black survival and a site of community.
The Little Bookshop
239 Bushwick Ave., Brooklyn
In a neighborhood that has grown rapidly popular among younger generations, this shop’s distinctive business model and inviting atmosphere make it well worth the trip. As soon as you walk into The Little Bookshop, you’re met with cozy lighting, an abundance of seating and soft music. Shelves of books line the walls, filled with reads for both adults and kids. Despite its name, this Bushwick gem is not entirely a bookstore — it’s also a cafe and wine bar that sells soups and sandwiches. The butter bean stew, served with sourdough bread, features the legume originally grown in South America that is now a traditional dish in the American South, often associated with home cooking and comfort meals. Coupled with its intimate vibes, The Little Bookshop’s menu of hearty classics aims to give customers a sense of warmth — perfect for a slow day of self-care.
Contact Madhavi Menon at [email protected].