( ENSPIRE Business ) Supporting Black-Owned Businesses in Western Massachusetts
ENSPIRE Contributor: Grace Chai
Have you been craving soul food recently? Or perhaps you want to immerse yourself in stories. Whichever is the case, there are some great small businesses that you can support in Western Massachusetts if you’re looking for good food for your stomach—and soul. In honor of Black History Month, I present a short compilation of small businesses in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Northern Soul Cafe (Soul food)
Northern Soul Cafe, or “NoSo” Cafe, is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is run by owner Matthew Grimes. Grimes was born and raised in Springfield to a close-knit family. He describes his childhood as being filled with food as the “backbone” and “focal point of almost any and every family event.” He adds that food and a passion for cooking “[have] been staple[s] in [his] upbringing.”
Beginning his cooking career at Friendly’s at fifteen years old, he was interested in watching or trying to help make the dishes. He carried this curiosity and passion for food into his next job, where he worked for Brickford’s family restaurant as a nighttime cook, and then as lead cook. After that, he took a job for Aramark at Springfield College as a pasta/pizza/prep cook, working with chefs who graduated from top culinary schools. After working his way up to lead entrée chef, then head catering chef for over fourteen years, Grimes decided to make his dream a reality by opening his restaurant: Northern Soul Cafe.
Northern Soul Cafe’s mission is “to provide a unique and distinctive dining experience, rebranding the traditional classic meal in a sleek, innovative way,” as stated on their website. Their customers rave about the soul food that the cafe is named after, but Grimes also hopes that his menu will “capture an eclectic variety of different cuisines, ingredients, and flavors- suitable for all ages, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds- rooted in but not limited to comfort and Soul food.”
Because of his close relationship with family and food, Grimes’s vision for NoSo Cafe was “a family-oriented [and] run business,” where art and music—along with the tantalizing smell of soul food—draw your attention and make you crave something satisfying and delicious.
As Grimes says, “Our values at Northern Soul are simple. Hospitality and customer services. Where everyone feels like family!!”
Northern Soul Cafe is located at 1244 Main Street, Springfield, MA, 01103.
Olive Tree Books-N-Voices (bookstore)
Looking for a cozy local spot to browse, or curl up with a cup of tea and a good book? Olive Tree Books-N-Voices has you covered: it is one of the few Black, women-owned independent bookstores in Massachusetts. Through the hard work of owner Zee Johnson and the people who supported her, the first floor of a former crack house transformed into an “inviting homey place” in 2004.
The bookstore focuses on stocking African-American books and literature, multicultural books, book accessories, journals, Bibles, religious books, and “many more Afro-centric items.” It also aims to “be a resource for all ages whose interest is of a literary nature” by providing books and consulting recommendations for organizations.
As its name suggests, Olive Tree Books-n-Voices “emphasize[s] the connection to other forms of expression: art, music, etc,” and welcomes people to visit at its location at 97 Hancock St, Springfield, MA.
Upscale Socks (sock business)
Heralded the start-up category winner by The Springfield Regional Chamber, Upscale Socks has dozens of creative sock designs for friends, family, and yourself. Founder Leonard “Lenny” Underwood started the business in 2016 after a dream he had a few years prior. He dreamt that he owned a sock line business, and the dream was so vivid and specific that he finally began looking into making his vision a reality.
Since Upscale Socks’s inception, it’s participated in several pop-up shops, speaking engagements, judged competitions, mentored startup businesses, and received numerous awards. Its “Suit Your Soles” campaign matches a sock donation for every purchase, helping local non-profit organizations and schools. Upscale Socks also gave away a college scholarship to a deserving college-bound scholar.
Check out their socks—which range from classy stripes to special Springfield-inspired designs—online or at multiple locations. If you’re in the Springfield area, you can visit the William C. Sullivan Regional Visitor’s Center if you want to buy the “City of Firsts” style socks inspired by the city.
Pan African Historical Museum USA (African-American History Museum)
The Pan African Historical Museum USA (PAHMUSA) is a museum that “links the African diaspora to Springfield, MA and surrounding communities.” Founded in 1995 by Lujuana Hood, it aims to “preserve the local history of African Americans continued today.” Significantly, it highlights Springfield’s role in the Underground Railroad and how its residents aided freedom seekers, offering educational tours to explore this aspect of Springfield’s history.
The museum also houses three galleries with art, artifacts, and paintings, including information about Frederick Douglass and his “milestones in Springfield’s history.” Other exhibits focus on ancestral African empires and the achievements of Women of Color.
PAHMUSA is located at 1500 Main St, Springfield, MA. Follow its Facebook for updates, and find more information on its website.
Enjoy exploring these great businesses!
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