Black-Owned Businesses to Support All Year Long

Black History Month may be coming to a close soon, but there are plenty of Pittsburgh Black-owned businesses to be celebrated and supported all year-long. We recently chatted with a few inspiring entrepreneurs, including the owner of one of the city’s newest additions — Beans & Things (located at 2009 Noble Street in Swissvale).

BEANS & THINGS

Ravin Bean opened her cafe on January 5, after having owned a beauty salon in the Swissvale neighborhood for 20 years. She says her aim for the new venue is “community, conversation and connection, bringing people together in the most positive way.” She would describe the vibe as comforting and inviting to all; the menu consists of a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, plus an extensive organic and herbal menu full of loose teas that can be customized. (She stuffs the tea bags on the spot.)

The cafe also offers gourmet sandwiches, pastries and bagels, and the menu will be expanding further soon. Their current hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (They’re closed on Sundays.)

WINDY BRIDGES BREW

Marcus Wyatt, owner and founder of Windy Bridges Brew, made a splash on the beer scene when he launched the first Black-owned brewery in Pittsburgh (and Western PA), which he says means a great deal to him. “My goal was to craft quality beer, and I never expected it to lead to such a significant outcome,” he says. “It has been a humbling experience, and recognizing that I am now a part of Black history is truly meaningful.”

He feels his children are also part of a legacy that will be remembered for generations. “I am grateful for the support of many inspiring individuals throughout this journey,” he says, “and I believe we are all sharing this historic milestone.”

While Wyatt doesn’t have any beer available at the moment, he’ll soon be involved in numerous events where the public can taste his work. For example, he looks forward to participating in Barrel and Flow brew fest here again this summer, as well as attending Barrels on the Bayou in New Orleans on April 18.

Currently, Wyatt doesn’t have plans to open a physical storefront. His primary focus remains on building the brand and expanding into different markets, which will involve concentrating efforts on distribution. “Essentially, I have transformed my garage into a small-scale brewing space,” he says. “Ultimately, I hope to reach a stage where establishing a brick-and-mortar location becomes a possibility.”

His beer selection reflects Wyatt’s upbringing, with two staples being his golden ale and cream ale, both of which have been part of his life for as long as he can remember. He also offers such flavors as a banana pudding stout (his personal fave), watermelon sour, lime margarita sour and creamsicle ale.

This entrepreneur has always enjoyed beer, but an interest in the brewing process initially was sparked by a colleague. That curiosity quickly developed into a passion. “As I delved deeper into brewing, I became more aware of the disparities faced by Black-owned breweries and Black head brewers compared to their peers,” he explains. “This realization further motivated me to continue and expand my efforts.”

Wyatt’s been living here since 2011, and he appreciates Pittsburgh’s blue-collar atmosphere and its resemblance to Chicago. Over the years, he’s accomplished several milestones, including earning a Level 1 Cicerone certification, obtaining a brew science certificate from Point Park University and working as an assistant brewer at Inner Groove Brewing. He’s also collaborated on various projects with Trace, Altered Genius, Troegs and others.

For several years, Wyatt has looked forward to involvement with the annual Barrel and Flow fest, an inclusive environment that showcases Black breweries, artists and small businesses. “[Founder] Day Bracey has been a great supporter and consistently keeps me informed about the latest opportunities in the brewing industry,” Wyatt says.

He aims to support all Black-owned businesses in the region, with a (partial) list including: TLC Libations, DOPE Cider (technically located in Youngstown), Barrel and Flow, Penn Hills Metro Basketball, Green Gig, Greenwood Plan, A Key to Peace, Carmi Soul Food, Flavors Juice Box, Blowfish BBQ, Leon's, Roux Orleans, Showcase BBQ and Dreams BBQ.

LIVE FRESH JUICERY

In 2019, when Brett Gilliam opened the first Live Fresh Juicery with wife-business partner Catey in Homestead, they did so to bring a healthy, accessible option to the community. “My vision was to create a fast-casual concept that made health simple, approachable and easy to understand,” Gilliam says. “We always say we never compromise health for flavor.” Over the years, they’ve acquired a loyal following of folks hooked on their cold-pressed juices, smoothies and fresh bowls made with 100% real ingredients.

Gilliam was born and raised in Homestead, and has called Pittsburgh home his entire life (with the exception of about five years). He first developed a strong appreciation for smoothies and juicing while living in D.C., and felt there was an opportunity to grow that space here when he returned in 2017. Seven years later, they’ve expanded to four locations across the Pittsburgh area, invested heavily in streamlining operations and food safety (including High Pressure Processing for their cold-pressed juice) and built a customer base that now reaches across the country through delivery and nationwide shipping through several channels. They’re currently working toward having their first franchised location in 2027.

Gilliam lists several rewarding moments (and challenges!) that have come with running Live Fresh. This past year, they developed an incredible relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Admittedly I still catch myself fanboying a bit,” Gilliam says, “but at my core I’m a social entrepreneur, so creating jobs and opportunities is the most meaningful part of what I do.” They currently have more than 15 employees, including four salaried managers who have been with them for more than four years, which Gilliam says feels like a big win in the food industry.

Gilliam is proud to support the city’s many Black-owned businesses, though there are too many to mention. “I always try to express to people that Black businesses need to be supported just outside the month of February,” he shares, “so I work exclusively with Panfil Plumbing for our projects, I’m a loyal client of Skyy’s The Limit Barbershop in Duquesne (every 10 days, because every black man knows what fresh cut does for the seasonal depression lol), and Holy Smokes BBQ holds a special place for catering my wedding; they did an incredible job.”

Last month the venue completed a full menu refresh; they kept fan favorites but introduced some new additions like the Glow Getter and Green N’ Sweet. “We’ve also started using our cold-pressed juices as the base for smoothies and açaí bowls, and added a smaller açaí bowl size for guests looking for a lighter option,” Gilliam says. Their reach has expanded as well, thanks to deliveries throughout the Pittsburgh area, and nationwide shipping and subscription options, too.

Corinne W

Author

Corinne W

Freelance Writer & Editor

Corinne is happy to be back closer to home (D.C.) after 11 years in the glorious Pacific Northwest. Though she cherishes global adventures, she also lives for discovering local gems, from the best spots for coffee, conversation and soul-nourishing music, to water activities and trails on which to walk a loveable little husky. You can follow her on Instagram at @travelcorx

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