Navigating to Black-Owned Businesses in the District

This blog references DC Circulator. Please note, as of 1/1/2025, DC Circulator no longer provides bus service.

Black History Month is nationally observed every February to recognize the great contributions of African Americans in US history -- past, present, and future. This year, goDCgo is celebrating Black History Month in a new way by highlighting some of the black-owned businesses in the District and how to get to their storefront locations using sustainable transportation.

Offering fitness programs, wellness services, home cooked meals, and much more, African Americans have significantly helped mold DC culture to what it is today. Find out the best ways to get to some of these black-owned establishments without a car. Whichever travel option you choose, be sure to commute with care by wearing a face mask or covering and practice safe social distancing.

Services

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • King Greenleaf Recreation Center
    • 1st & M Street SE
    • 1st & N Street SE
  • DC Circulator - Take the Eastern Market-L'Enfant Plaza route.
  • Metrobus - P6, 74
  • Metrorail - Take the Green/Yellow Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark station.

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Rangle Circle & Minnesota Avenue SE
    • Pennsylvania & Minnesota Avenue SE
  • Metrobus - V2, V4

^*Effective January 2021, service prices have increased based on enhanced service protocols.

Turning Natural (multiple DC locations) - Turning Natural is more than just a juice bar, but a growing community with four current locations in the District that support healthy lifestyles, especially for the underserved, by providing better choice options. Be on the lookout for a Takoma pop-up coming soon! Please note that all store locations are running on temporary hours until further notice.

Anacostia (2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE)

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Good Hope Road & MLK Avenue SE
    • Pleasant Street & MLK Avenue SE
    • Good Hope Road & 14th Street SE
  • DC Circulator - Take the Congress Heights-Union Station route.
  • Metrobus - 90, B2, P6
  • Metrorail - Take the Green/Yellow Line to Anacostia station.

Capitol Hill (1380 H Street NE)

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Bladensburg Road & Benning Road NE
    • 13th & H Street NE
  • DC Streetcar
  • Metrobus - X2, X9

Eastern Market (750 C Street SE)

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Eastern Market/7th & North Carolina Avenue SE
    • Eastern Market Metro/Pennsylvania Avenue & 8th Street NE
  • DC Circulator - Take the Congress Heights-Union Station route or Eastern Market-L'Enfant Plaza route.
  • Metrobus - 90, 92
  • Metrorail - Take the Blue/Orange/Silver Line to Eastern Market station.

Shaw/Howard (1933 9th Street NW)

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • 10th & U Street NW
    • 7th & T Street NW
  • Metrobus - 70, 79, 90, 92, 96
  • Metrorail - Take the Green/Yellow Line to Shaw-Howard U station.

Retail

The Spice Suite (6902 4th Street NW) – According to founder Angel, food IS fashion, so she brings bold, fashionable flavors to the kitchen and her hip, vibey store located in Takoma. Since opening in 2015, she’s hosted over 450 free pop-up shops for other black business owners and landed a spot in the Top 40 of MasterChef’s Season 8!

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Takoma Metro
  • Metrobus - 62, 63
  • Metrorail - Take the Red Line to Takoma station.

Restaurants

Cane (403 H Street NE) – Chef Peter Prime recently opened this family-operated restaurant with his sister offering his modern take on popular, native Trinidadian street food and dishes. Please note that Cane is currently not open for dining; available for takeout and delivery only until further notice.

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • 2nd & G Street NE
    • 3rd & H Street NE
    • 6th & H Street NE
  • DC Streetcar
  • Metrobus - D8, X2
  • Metrorail - Take the Red Line to Union Station.

Here’s the Scoop (2824 Georgia Avenue NW, Lower Level) – Local entrepreneur Karin Sellers opened Here’s the Scoop in Columbia Heights offering a dozen ice cream flavors, an array of pies and cookies, and signature milkshakes. Sellers aims to make her shop a community hub where Howard University students can mingle and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. She also hires and mentors emerging bakers. Order online delivery or visit in-store, but please be sure to check store hours as they vary by season.

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • Georgia Avenue & Fairmont Street NW
    • Columbia Road & Georgia Avenue NW
    • 11th & Girard Street NW
  • Metrobus - 70

HalfSmoke (651 Florida Avenue NW) – Get breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and more at HalfSmoke in Shaw, founded by former investment analyst Andre McCain. In addition to staple halfsmokes and a modern take on southern fare, the restaurant is loaded with fun, nostalgic games and activities. HalfSmoke is open for both indoor and outdoor socially distancing dining along with takeout and delivery options.

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • 7th & T Street NW
    • 7th & S Street NW
  • Metrobus - 70
  • Metrorail - Take the Green/Yellow Line to Shaw-Howard U station.

Milk & Honey Café (1245 H Street NE) – Now boasting multiple locations nationwide, the Milk & Honey Café serves an all-day Southern brunch seven days a week that’s sure to make your mouth water. Fun Fact: Executive Chef Sammy Davis has competed in the Food Network’s Chopped television show! The café is currently open for socially distant dining, takeout, and delivery.

• How to get there:
  • Capital Bikeshare
    • 13th & H Street NE
    • 11th & H Street NE
  • DC Streetcar
  • Metrobus - X2, X9

In addition to your options of Capital Bikeshare, DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, Metrobus, and Metrorail, you can also travel by dockless scooter, bike, or moped. Simply download the mobile app for your operator of choice: Bird, Helbiz, Jump, Lime, Lyft, Razor, Revel, Skip, or Spin. Learn more about dockless vehicles.

Are you aware of a black-owned business in the District that we can add to the list? Email info@goDCgo.com to let us know!