Support Black-Owned Businesses Along NYC Ferry Routes
February is Black History Month — a time to recognize and honor the people and events that shaped and contributed to our history. In honor of celebrating Black-
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream
Stuyvesant Cove
Mike Likes It Ice Cream is a pop-cultured inspired ice cream shop founded by Michael “Mikey” Cole. Mikey’s biggest inspiration for opening his shop was his community, as the native New Yorker enjoys spreading his love for ice cream with the people around him.
“We’re just trying to push the boundaries of what companies are doing with ice cream,” he says. “And we do this by using the best ingredients and building lasting relationships with local businesses, customers and other great people.”
Mikey serves up homemade artisan, organic, and all-natural ice cream with fun flavors like Ice Ice Mikey (triple vanilla), Pink Floyd (double strawberry and cheesecake), and The Cookie Jar (dairy free cookies and cream). If you’re looking for something special, Mikey offers customized flavors — you name it, he’ll make it. Mikey has made custom flavors for notable customers like Hillary Clinton and Jay Z.
View this post on Instagram
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream — 199 Avenue A New York, New York 10009
Brooklyn Clay Industries
Brooklyn Navy Yard
Reuben King, a ceramic artist and educator with over 30 years of experience, opened Brooklyn Clay Industries back in 1995. The shop invites people of all ages and abilities to develop their creative potential through ceramics and its many techniques and applications.
Brooklyn Clay Industries’ mission is to raise the profile of the ceramic arts, support the development of ceramic artists, and bring the joy of the arts to the most underserved communities.
The studio is currently offering small classes in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Everyone must wear a mask at all times, even if alone in the studio. All tools and wheels are sanitized by staff after each class and use.
Book a class today and take NYC Ferry right to the Brooklyn Navy Yard!
View this post on Instagram
Brooklyn Clay Industries — Brooklyn Navy Yard, 62 5th St Suite 306, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Haile
Stuyvesant Cove
Haile is a chic, lower east side eatery serving authentic Ethiopian food, beer, and wine. The family-run restaurant offers traditional dishes and an inviting atmosphere with music and decor that evoke Africa.
Haile offers combination platters that are meant to be shared, making this spot a terrific option for a date night. With plenty of options for vegans and meat-lovers, there is something for everyone on the menu. Be sure to try Tej, a sweet honey wine unique to Ethiopia, served in a traditional berele.
If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, Haile is a great place to start. Make a reservation for outdoor dining and give it a try!
View this post on Instagram
Haile — 182 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Brooklyn Chop House
Wall Street / Pier 11
Brooklyn Chop House is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill steakhouse. Owned by Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins, a prominent figure in the music industry, Brooklyn Chop House puts a double meaning on “chop” — chopsticks and chop steak.
In addition to a wide selection of steaks you’d expect to find on the menu, there’s a variety of Asian-inspired dishes including sushi, noodles, and classic steakhouse fare in dumpling form. Choose from dumpling fillings like pastrami, bacon cheeseburger, and Philly cheesesteak — just to name a few.
Support Brooklyn Chop House by making a reservation for outdoor dining!
View this post on Instagram
Brooklyn Chop House — 150 Nassau St, New York, NY 10038
Station RBNY
Rockaway
Station RBNY is a trendy surf shop dedicated to surfing, skateboarding, and the Rockaway Beach community.
Owner, Nigel Louis, grew up in Barbados and started surfing at the age of 10 years old. “From the moment I stood on a board, I knew I wanted to do something around surfing and surf culture for the rest of my life,” Louis told us. “I used to hang out in my local surf shop and think one day it would be nice to have my own shop.” As a local Rockaway surfer for many years, he decided to follow his dream and open Station RBNY alongside his business partner Andrew Dima.
The shop offers a variety of surfboards, surf gear, and accessories to choose from. Station RBNY also offers rentals and lessons to those looking to learn to ride the waves.
Take NYC Ferry to Rockaway and stop into Station RBNY for all your surfing essentials!
View this post on Instagram
Station RBNY — 91-08 B Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693
Communitea
Long Island City
Communitea was founded by husband-wife partners Kafia Saxe and Lloyd Canning with the intent on creating a casual “third place” to enjoy a really good “cuppa,” to share a delicious meal, and to gather together for community events.
Communitea offers the largest loose-leaf tea selection in LIC as well as Irving Farm Coffee, home-made comfort foods including vegan and gluten-free options, brunch, and home-made pastries. The locals love the giant Buddha Bowls, rotating home-made specials, and seasonal drinks. Community events include a monthly Horror Bingo Night, Chamber Music Concert Series, Art Openings and other monthly gatherings. In addition to the extensive tea selection, Communitea also serves local craft beer and draft Kombucha as well as home-made ice cream made from their teas.
As the owner of Communitea for over 15 years, Saxe shared her best advice for those looking to start their own business. She told us, “I advise anyone looking to start their own business to seek out as much first-hand experience as possible. It’s crucial to do your homework, network, and ask lots of questions!”
View this post on Instagram
Communitea — 11-18 46th Road, Long Island City, NY 11101
Sutton Clock Shop
East 90th Street
Knud Christenson founded Sutton Clock Shop, originally a pawn shop, in the late 1940s. Knud’s son, Sebastian Laws, grew up observing his father while he repaired clocks and worked as his father’s apprentice. By the late 1980s, Laws officially came on board and worked alongside his father for two decades. With a clear passion for his business, Christenson worked well into his 90’s before he retired and left the business to his son.
Over the years the shop has expanded its services. In addition to clock and barometer repair, Sutton Clock Shop has an impressive supply of vintage clocks that are available for purchase. The clocks are truly historic with some dating back as early as the 1900s.
View this post on Instagram
Sutton Clocks — 218 East 82nd Street New York, NY 10028
Divine Flavored Catering
East 34th St
Godshelter Oluwalogbon, better known as Divine, is the owner and mastermind behind Divine Flavored Nigerian Gourmet Food Truck and Divine Favored Catering Services. Divine started his career in the hospitality industry as a teenager, working at restaurants in Nigeria. Devine moved to New York City in 2001 and continued to work in restaurants while attending culinary school at the Art Institute of New York. After years of working in the kitchen, Divine decided to open his own business that he now manages alongside his wife.
Must-try dishes include his jollof rice with goat, fish stew, and fried plantains. Find Divine’s food truck parked outside the Nigerian Embassy located on 44th Street and 2nd Avenue. You can order your food in advance on their website or over the phone for a quick and easy pickup.
View this post on Instagram
Divine Flavored Catering —828 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017
Nneji
Astoria
Nneji is an Astoria newcomer that has proved to be a valuable addition to 34th Avenue. Owner, Beatrice Ajaero, opened the restaurant in June of 2020 — right in the middle of the pandemic.
Ajaero, a Roosevelt Island native, was inspired by her family’s culinary traditions to open a restaurant and share Nigerian and West African cuisine with the community. The menu features soups and stews that incorporate complex flavors and spices. Additionally, Nenji offers local pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Nneji is offering only takeout for now, so take NYC Ferry to grab your food to-go!
Nneji —32-20 34th Ave Astoria, NY 11106
View this post on Instagram
DA SPOT NYC
Brooklyn Bridge Park
DA SPOT NYC is home to over 25 independent creative Black-owned brands and have housed 55 brands to date. Owners Frantz “Face” Farnoille and Michelle Cadore are independent creatives and fashion designers themselves and knew first hand how difficult it can be for creatives of color to gain visibility in the fashion and retail industries. To create a space for local Black artists to showcase their work, the two came together to open the DA SPOT in 2017.
DA SPOT NYC is more than a boutique, it’s a platform for creativity. In addition to retail, DA SPOT merged with an art gallery next to their shop after many collaborations with the C.A.N.V.A.S. Art Gallery founder Tyler Jordan. C.A.N.V.A.S. Art Gallery (Creating A New View Around Society), features the works of local artists of color through monthly residencies or “Artportunities”. DA SPOT hosts creative workshops, business panels, and live performances monthly for the community in shop.
When it comes to advice for aspiring Black entrepreneurs, Michelle explained, “Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. You will experience many highs and lows but that is the nature of the game. Aside from funding, it takes a lot of passion, sacrifice, problem solving, dedication and resilience to keep your dream alive. Just believe in yourself, do your research, tap into your network, tap into the free business resources and take the leap.”
View this post on Instagram
DA SPOT NYC —445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Williamsburg Music Center
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Composer and musician, Gerry Eastman, opened the Williamsburg Music Center in 1981. During that time, the neighborhood was troubled with violence, poverty, and discrimination. Eastman opened the jazz venue to provide a safe space for Black musicians to perform and to honor the African musical diaspora. The Williamsburg Music Center remains a valuable asset to the community and will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.
Take a visit to the Williamsburg Music Center to learn about Brooklyn history and see historical artwork, photos, vinyl, and instruments. While the center cannot hold large audiences due to COVID-19, you can still tune in to the Williamsburg Music Center Facebook page for weekly, live jazz performances.
View this post on Instagram
Williamsburg Music Center —367 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211