Support These Black-Owned Shops

Famous for its stunning beaches and breathtaking natural attractions, tourists flock to Barbados for its tropical allure and abundance of activities. Whether it’s festivals, celebrations, sightseeing, restaurant-hopping, shopping, or sports, Barbados checks all the boxes for a fun-filled vacation. There are also quite a few opportunities to support Black businesses along the way. 

Here are 7 Black-owned companies to support while in Barbados. 

BODY MAGIC DAY SPA 

Body Magic Day Spa is a nail salon and spa on the West Coast of Barbados. Upon entering Body Magic, customers are welcomed by cozy decor and a calming color palette of neutral white and pastel turquoise. This spa specializes in manicures and pedicures, nail extensions and designs, waxings, massages, facials, sauna blanket therapy, vacuum therapy, and more. It’s a refreshing escape from the routine of everyday life in a clean and comfortable space that is inclusive to all. 

VIBRANT BOUTIQUE

Vibrant Boutique seems to be a go-to spot for fete attire (a.k.a. party attire), swimwear, and everything in between. The designs are on-trend, and the quality is similar to US/UK stores like ASOS and Missguided. While pricing can be a bit more expensive than the US, I’ve found it to be a reliable option for last-minute store runs. 

Vibrant Boutique is located within Lanterns Mall, Christ Church.

CHEAPSIDE PUBLIC MARKET

Cheapside Market unveils the perfect opportunity to mix with locals and sample native fruits like soursop, tamarind, dunks breadfruits, and Bajan cherries. If this article is your introduction to these fruits, that’s all the more reason to stop by this outside market and browse the carts of delicious fruits and freshly picked veggies. Inside Cheapside’s two-story brick building, you’ll find stalls with more vendors supplying even more produce and spices. Haggling is the name of the game, so enter with patience; there will be crowds surrounding the vendor favorites.  

BEYOND LIMITS FITNESS CENTRE

Beyond Limits Fitness Centre has three locations in Barbados: Wildey, Sheraton Mall and Canewood. The Wildey location includes a rock climbing wall and Ninja Warrior Course where both adults and children can test their strength. Chad (@avatar_alkemist), a personal trainer and content creator at the gym, describes the Ninja Warrior Course as a fun, endurance-building activity where participants are graded based on their completion of each obstacle. “The big finale is the ninja wall, and the obstacles include ninja rings that members can swing from and a slip wall,” Chad explains.

At the centre, there’s also a wide variety of workout equipment, weights, and classes, including cycling and Zumba. The gym provides children’s camps and afterschool programs for parents, and members describe its environment as “fun and judgment-free.” 

BARVEN OUTDOOR MARKET

The Barven Outdoor Market, previously known as the Mighty Grynner Vendors Market, is another great marketplace to visit on the weekend. It’s best to get there early before the good items sell out (7 a.m. is ideal). This marketplace has an entirely different vibe from the Cheapside Market. The colorful site feels authentically Bajan as many vendors set up shop in chattel house replicas and sell local cuisine, fresh juices, non-dairy ice cream, skin products, hair products, produce, clothing, plants, and more. 

CHEF CREIG

Private chefs have become a popular request on the island. Chef Creig is a culinary ambassador for Barbados and is the executive chef and owner of CM Catering. His skills are complemented by his charm, creating the perfect stress-free and enjoyable guest experience. He specializes in classic Bajan cuisine and international Bajan-infused dishes. “My favorite Barbadian dishes come from our Sunday family lunch. Nothing better than Bajan seasoned baked chicken, fried flying fish, local green peas and rice, macaroni pie, coleslaw, and potato salad,” Chef Creig tells Sepi. “These are all items that I reintroduce to my visiting and local clients. They also experience some of my signature dishes like flying fish tacos, Chef Creig’s curry chicken salad, macaroni pie infused with local smoked ham, and roasted potato salad skewers.”

PELICAN CRAFT CENTRE

Pelican Craft Centre, more popularly known as Pelican Village, is a colorful Barbadian shopping mall dedicated to local arts and crafts. Here, you’ll find Barbadian jewelry, sculptures, paintings and prints, souvenirs, rum cakes and pastries, pottery, baskets, metal art, carvings, and tropical apparel. From the seating benches, there’s a charming view of the harbor. After a long shopping day, visitors can watch fishing boats and sailing catamarans or enjoy the plaza’s collection of tropical flowers.