Sipsterhood Guide to Atlanta’s Independent Businesses

Shop local. Support community. Pour back with purpose.

Welcome to the Sipsterhood’s Official Guide to Independent Businesses in Atlanta — your go-to directory for shopping intentionally, gifting with meaning, and supporting the entrepreneurs who make our city vibrant.

Atlanta is filled with brilliant creators, founders, makers, and dreamers — women building from love, Black entrepreneurs shaping culture, and small businesses that power our neighborhoods with heart. This guide was created to help you spend consciously, discover new favorites, and pour into the community that pours into you.

Whether you’re looking for candles that set the vibe, bookstores that feel like home, local cafés with soul, skincare made with intention, or gift ideas that support real families — this is your space. Every business listed here reflects the spirit of the Sipsterhood: connection, community, creativity, and care.

Use this guide throughout the holiday season and beyond. Bookmark it, share it, explore it — and remember, every intentional purchase supports a dream, a household, and a piece of Atlanta’s cultural heartbeat.

Shop local. Shop small. Shop with purpose.

Books, Culture & Creative Spaces

1. Brave + Kind Bookshop (Decatur)

What it is: A Black- and woman-owned indie children’s and family bookshop created by Bunnie Hilliard. Curated for diverse, inclusive, and intentional stories that center representation and imagination for kids and the adults who love them.

Why to shop: Perfect for gifting kids’ books, journals, and family reads that align with your “Thrive” and “EmpowerU” values.
Link: https://www.braveandkindbooks.com

2. The Listening Tree (Metro ATL)

What it is: A children’s bookstore committed to Black authorship and literacy, with book clubs and youth programs like the B-Boys & B-Girls Club.
Why to shop: Great for intentional children’s gifts and supporting Black authors and literacy programs.
Link: https://listeningtreebooks.com

3. The Book Cellar (Conyers)

What it is: A Black woman-owned bookstore + café that creates a welcoming space around books, coffee, and community.

Why to shop: Cozy, community-centered spot for buying books, hosting gatherings, or doing “Sipster reading dates.”
Link: https://www.thebookcellar.shop

4. Ballethnic Dance Company (East Point)

What it is: A culturally grounded dance company and academy co-founded by Nena Gilreath and Waverly Lucas, offering training in ballet and other forms with a focus on Black artistry and storytelling.

Why to shop/support: Great for class registrations, tickets to performances, and supporting Black-led arts.
Link: https://ballethnic.org

Kids, Family & Eco-Friendly Living

5. Happy Mango (Atlanta – The Works)

What it is: A Black- and woman-owned eco-friendly baby, pregnancy, and kids boutique founded by Phnewfula Frederiksen. Carries strollers, carriers, toys, car seats, and greener lifestyle items.

Why to shop: Perfect for baby gifts, new mama care, and intentional family purchases.
Link: https://shophappymango.com

6. Just 4 Girls Salon (Multiple ATL locations)

What it is: A salon focused on healthy natural hair care for girls, offering braids, twists, presses, and more.

Why to shop: Great for back-to-school, holiday hair, and teaching girls to love and care for their hair.
Link: https://www.just4girlssalon.com

7. Tenderheadz Children’s Salon (Metro ATL)

What it is: A children’s salon specializing in healthy, protective styles for kids ages 2–17, including braids, twists, and crochet styles.

Why to shop: Kid-centered experience, especially helpful for tender scalps and parents who want healthy styling.
Link: https://www.tenderheadzchildrensalon.com

8. Ms. Lisa’s Cuts for Kids (Decatur)

What it is: A kids-only salon built around making haircuts fun and less stressful, with TVs, toys, and themed chairs.

Why to shop: Perfect for first haircuts and little ones who struggle with sitting still.
Link: https://mslisacutsforkids.com

Candles, Self-Care & Home Fragrance

9. Love Ground Candle Co. (Atlanta / Online + The Village Retail)

What it is: A Black woman-owned hand-poured soy candle brand founded by Ikeda Myers, focused on self-care, grounding, and ease.

Why to shop: Beautiful intentional candles for gifting, journaling nights and Sipster self-care rituals.
Link: https://www.lovegroundcandleco.com

10. the beehive (Atlanta – Edgewood area)

What it is: A boutique featuring local, independent designers and makers, including apparel, housewares, baby goods, and jewelry. Listed in Black-owned business roundups and owned by Malene Davis.

Why to shop: One-stop shop for local, small-batch gifts and artisan-made items (many woman makers).
Link: https://thebeehiveatl.com

Spa, Beauty & Wellness

11. iwi fresh Garden Day Spa (Castleberry Hill)

What it is: A beloved Black-owned spa founded by Yolanda “Yogi” Owens, offering farm-to-skin treatments, facials, steams, and natural skincare products made from fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs.

Why to shop: Incredible option for gifting spa days, purchasing clean skincare, and planning Sipster spa dates.
Link: https://iwifresh.com or via Blacklanta listing BLACKLANTA

12. The Alex Vann Experience (The A.V.E.) – Salon & Spa (Duluth)

What it is: A Black woman-owned full-service luxury salon and spa, offering hair, nails, and high-touch beauty experiences.

Why to shop: Perfect for “treat yourself” days, birthdays, or gifting experiences instead of stuff.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thealexvannexperience

13. The Head Spa by R.A at Red Ant Beauty Studio (Alpharetta)

What it is: A Black woman-owned head spa experience inside Red Ant Beauty Studio, focused on scalp health, hair growth, and deep relaxation.

Why to shop: Great “experience gift” for anyone needing reset + luxury self-care.
Link: https://www.redantbeautystudio.com

Tea, Coffee & Treats

14. Just Add Honey Tea Company (BeltLine + Online)

What it is: A Black woman-owned tea company and tearoom founded by Brandi Shelton, offering loose-leaf teas, tea experiences, and a cozy BeltLine café.

Why to shop: Perfect for gift sets, tea parties, “Sip & Journal” nights, and stocking stuffers.
Link: https://justaddhoney.net

15. CheeseCaked (Metro ATL)

What it is: A dessert spot created by Shawn Brown that takes nostalgic desserts and turns them into over-the-top cheesecake flavors and treats. Listed among Atlanta Black-owned businesses.

Why to shop: Fun dessert catering, boxes, or treat-yourself sweets for the holidays.
Link: https://www.cheesecaked.com

16. Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious (Historic Downtown Lawrenceville)

What it is: A breakfast, lunch, and brunch restaurant recognized as the first Black women-owned restaurant in Historic Downtown Lawrenceville.

Why to shop: Perfect for brunch dates, girls’ outings, or gift cards for local foodies.
Link: https://scrum-did-dly-ump-tious.com

17. Busy Bee Café (Atlanta)

What it is: A historic soul food restaurant originally opened by Lucy Jackson in 1947, now an iconic Black-owned staple and James Beard Award American Classic.

Why to shop: Soul food, history, and a beautiful way to support a legacy Black business.
Link: https://www.thebusybeecafe.com

18. Hodgepodge Coffeehouse (Atlanta)

What it is: A community-focused coffeehouse in Atlanta founded by entrepreneur Krystle Rodriguez, growing into a seven-figure business while giving back to the city.

Why to shop: Great for remote work days, buying gift cards, and supporting a Black woman-led coffee space.
IG/Info: https://www.hodgepodgecoffee.com (check for latest location updates)

Markets, Collectives & Hubs

19. The Village Retail (Ponce City Market)

What it is: A curated lifestyle boutique founded by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, featuring 100+ Black-owned brands in fashion, beauty, wellness, home, and more.

Why to shop: One-stop shop for Black-owned brands (many Black women founders), perfect for building a holiday gift guide.
Link: https://thevillageretail.com

20. The Village Market

What it is: A community-driven platform and marketplace that incubates and showcases Black-owned businesses through seasonal markets and the ELEVATE accelerator.

Why to shop: Check their markets and events for rotating Black and woman-owned vendors to add to your “master list.”
Link: https://thevillagemarket.com

21. New Black Wall Street Market (Stonecrest)

What it is: A massive Black-owned marketplace with 100+ small businesses under one roof, including food, retail, wellness, and artisan vendors.

Why to shop: Perfect for a “Sipster field trip” to discover multiple entrepreneurs in one day.
Link: https://www.newblackwallstreetmarket.com

22. Nourish + Bloom Market (Fayetteville/Trilith area – Metro ATL)

What it is: The first autonomous grocery store with robotic delivery in the U.S., and the first African American-owned autonomous grocery store in the world, co-founded by Jilea and Jamie Hemmings.

Why to shop: Great for intentional grocery runs, gift baskets, and supporting innovative Black founders in food.
Link: https://www.nourishandbloommarket.com