Multiple Black Woman-owned businesses open inside the Atlanta Municipal Market
Four new businesses, including two restaurants and a juice bar, have opened in the historic Atlanta Municipal Market, with many of them being Black woman-owned. The post Multiple Black Woman-owned businesses open inside the Atlanta Municipal Market appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
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The lights were low, and the energy was high inside the Atlanta Municipal Market, a historic flea market on Edgewood Avenue in the heart of the Sweet Auburn District. Four new businesses have opened in the market, and many are owned by Black women. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, food-tasting, and mini-tour took place on the morning of Friday, June 5. Even though the market has been in operation for decades, this new look at businesses entering the field felt like a new beginning of sorts.
“God is right on time,” said Mychel Rodriguez, the mother of one half of the ownership duo behind A Taste of Secrets (A.T.O.S.), a Jamaican-Puerto Rican fusion restaurant now open in the market. “This is a gift HE has given her.”
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Chefs Niddy Rodriguez and Miish Hudson are the team behind A.T.O.S., which is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 13. Both have experience as executive chefs, so when they decided to find a space for their business, the opportunity to open in a historic, busy market was a no-brainer.
“There were so many reasons,” Rodriguez said of opening in the market.”This Atlanta Municipal Market is a hub for Atlantans.”
“This is a historical building,” said Hudson.
A.T.O.S. will offer a combination of foods from both islands, including traditional dishes and empanadas filled with seafood, oxtail, curry chicken, or beef.
A few feet away from A.T.O.S. is Dolce Tropical, a juice-and-shake bar also owned by a Black woman. Following a soft opening on Wednesday, June 3, the business is now open and ready for customers. Owner Latasha Smith and her daughter Jordan Smith were working behind the counter as the festivities took place. For the elder Smith, the idea for the business came from a combination of Jordan and similar drink options available on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier.
“This is an awesome opportunity for us,” said Latasha. “I wanted to bring these flavors to Atlanta.”
Dolce Tropical offers fruitnadas, milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, and tropical lemonade.
Prior to opening their first location, Latasha and Jordan told The Atlanta Voice they would set up shop outside fairs and near busy areas. Having a location in the market is a bonus,” Latasha says.
“This is a culturally diverse and inclusive place. I checked it out, and I’m glad I did,” Latasha said. “They made us feel so welcome, so I couldn’t say no.”
Along with A.T.O.S. and Dolce Tropical, The Retro Grill and Edgewood Pizza are set to open soon. The Retro Grill is owned and operated by Kheli Archer, a Black woman.
City officials, business leaders, and Atlanta residents gathered to celebrate the new additions to the market.
“This is a very special day in Atlanta. The Municipal Market is an institution,” said Greg Clay, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
“I think this is great,” said Miss D, the owner of Miss D’s Gourmet Candy, which is also located in the market and is Black woman-owned. “It’s great for the community and for the entrepreneurs who are getting their start.”
The post Multiple Black Woman-owned businesses open inside the Atlanta Municipal Market appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
