Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 12-15-17

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017
B
’Tis The Season To Christmas Shop At Local Black-Owned Businesses
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Looking for the perfect Christmas and Kwanzaa gift for loved ones and friends? You could embark on fruitless search from mall to mall, taking hours out of your day. Or you could save yourself the gas, time, and energy, and take a look or visit these local Black-owned shops:
Blue Sage Eco Boutique, 6202 N. Central Ave., Tampa www.blue-sageboutique.com
Founded in 2013 by Christina Arenas, this unique shop sells a variety of candles in scents like sweet sage, blue spruce, and heart. You also can find journals, books, and incense accessories.
Elizabeth Carson Rucker, 14902 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. www.elizabethcarsonracker.com/
Treat someone you love or yourself to a high-fashion, custom-de- signed couture piece straight from the creative mind of designer Eliza- beth Carson Racker. Her Florida Avenue showroom features ready-to-wear pieces, including tops, evening gowns, and swimsuits. Or you can collaborate with Racker on a one-of a-kind creation.
Kelly Reed’s Boutique kellyreedsboutique.com/
Owners and friends Rasha Kelly and Monique Reed have ex- panded their popular collection of fashions to the digital space. Shop for apparel from sizes 4 to 24 and unique accessories, including exclusive Maison Pourchet handbags and wallets.
Body Temple Spatique, 1499 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa www.bodytemplespatique.com
What gift could be better than a little pampering? From facials, to messages, to pedicures, Body Temple Spatique offers a variety of serv- ices guaranteed to relax and soothe. Purchase a gift certificate for dozens of treatments including an ionic detox foot bath, a gentleman’s facial, or a salt scrub body treatment. Or bundle it all in a package, like the Tem- ple’s Queen Experience – which features a glowing body polish and ther- apeutic full body massage topped off with a pampering pedicure.
Best Book Rich Treasures, 1501 E. 9th Ave., Tampa www.bestbooksrichtrea- sures.com
Make the bibliophiles in your life happy with selections from this husband-and-wife owned shop in Ybor City. Since 1997, the couple has sold books and other literature by African-American authors.
The Style Lab at 5508, 5508 N. 50th St., Tampa kellyreedsboutique.com/
Looking for just the right tie or pair of cuff links for the guy in your life? Style Lab founder Ricc Rollins is sure to have a great selection from which you can choose. Rollins also sells a variety of dress socks, shirts, and suits. But if you really want to give a gift that will impress, schedule an initial style consultation for your favorite guy.
Think Inside The Neighborhood When Shopping For Christmas: Support Black Businesses
Restaurants
If your taste buds call for some Southern Soul Food, try one of these businesses.
For The Best In Dress Apparel
Look to these shop for your Christmas Eve worship attire.
B’Elegant Hat Shop 3402 N. 34th St., Tampa 33605
Ann’s Favorite Boutique 4202 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa 33617 www.annsfavoritebou- tique.com
Mama’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant
3701 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Tampa 33610 www.mamassoulfoodrestau- rant.com
The Jerk Hut Caribbean Restaurant
926 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa 33612 www.jerkhut.com
Bus Tour
A few years ago, the Saturday morning tours were a staple in the community. They’re coming back! Look for the next tour dates to take your visiting family during the holidays.
Black Business Bus Tour Candy Lowe 813.394.6363
Hair Care Winifred Pope’s Naturceutics, Inc. Beauty & Spas, Black- owned hair care line, 19046 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., #216, Tampa 33647 www.naturceutics.com
Open Café
3222 N. 34th St., Tampa 33605 theopencafe@aol.com (813) 310-2820