Famous Charlotte Black-Owned Soul Food Restaurant Closing After 40 Years

It's been 40 years, and this Black-owned Soul Food restaurant in Charlotte will close its doors. Floyd's restaurant on North Graham Street plans to serve its final meal on June 29.

It's not the type of news die-hard patrons like George Wallace and Jackie Perry want to hear. They've been going to Floyd's religiously since the restaurant opened in 1971. Jackie says it was the place families went for an ol' fashioned meal. She says she and her family would make every Friday evening 'Fish Night' at their house. They'd order takeout from Floyd's - fried fish, mac n' cheese, and George's favorite the candied yams. "It was the closest we could get to my mom's home cooking", Jackie reminisced. "It just felt like home whenever we go there."

Otis Floyd opened the doors nearly 40 years ago at the first location on Tuckaseegee Road.

And he built the restaurant to become the staple it is today. His son, Tyrone now runs the business. He took it over in 2014 after the elder Floyd passed away suddenly.

Tyrone says it was never in his plan to run the restaurant. He was a successful engineer who loved his job. But he explained to WSOC-TV, that when his father died he did not want the family legacy to die as well. He says his father passed away two weeks before he was supposed to retire.

Tyrone says he’s been frying chicken ever since, putting his all into the business. And he has the battle marks to prove it. Since taking over the business, he’s suffered two heart attacks. Tyrone believes his health scare has served as a reminder that life is short.

He says he doesn’t want to repeat the fate of his father. He wants to be around to one day enjoy grandchildren and his family. It’s a sobering truth, but a hard pill to swallow for the Perry’s who realize the irony of it all. While the Floyd’s are closing shop for the sake of family, they say it was Floyd’s restaurant that brought a sense of unity to theirs.

In honor of Black History Month, it's only befitting to recognize these companies that are embedded in the Black cultural experience - Black-Owned Beauty Supply Stores.

Black women and their hair is a multi-billion dollar industry. According to Gitnux market data,  in 2020 the estimated value of the black hair industry in the United States is around $2.5 billion. While the number is staggering, but not surprising Black consumers don't mind spending money on their hair and their products. Research shows Black consumers spend nine times more on hair care products compared to other ethnic groups.

This demonstrates just how important the Black hair care industry is. And it is a testament to the purchasing power of Black consumers and their impact on the industry. And just what is the Black consumer purchasing in hair care? Gitnux data says it's no longer the relaxer. Sales of relaxers for black hair actually dropped over 26% between 2010 - 2015. Consumers are more conscious about what they put in their hair and are choosing to stay away from harmful chemicals. Research shows in 2020, 36% of African-American women in the U.S. preferred natural hair over chemically treated hair.

The new purchase in the black hair care industry is hair extensions. That is expected to be valued at $2.8 billion this year. Hair extensions is what you will find at beauty supply stores. And some stores keep them by the boat load. According to the Black-Owned Beauty Supply Association, there are currently 35,000 beauty supply stores in the U.S. Of those, some 2,500 are Black-owned.

Below are some of the Black-owned beauty supply stores in the Charlotte area.

This husband and wife team take pride in their shop. Audrey Douglas, a hairstylist has been working in the Mooresville area for 25 years. She and her husband, Scott, decided to open this shop as a second location after realizing there were no other Black-owned beauty supply stores nearby. The entire family has an entrepreneurial spirit. Outside of the beauty supply stores, they along with their son also operate a tax service and insurance company.

Hair Plus Beauty Supply & Salon
125 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 104 and 105
Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 230-1776

This beauty supply store is another location owned by Audrey and Scott Douglas. Their previous shop mentioned above serves customers in Mooresville. This shop is located in Stanley near the Walmart in Denver. Douglas says they opened it to fill a void and want to ensure they are accessible to customers.

Pride Beauty Supply & Salon
7840 Hwy 73
Stanley, NC 28164 (near Denver Walmart)

Dominique Cleveland is the proud owner of this Black-owned mobile beauty supply salon. And one day while driving home from work, Dominique asked the simple question, 'Why can't I have beauty supplies delivered to me?' And thus began her quest to make her thought a reality.  Today, Dazzling Beauty Supply is an e-commerce beauty supply store with the mission of "Taking the industry back."

Dazzling Beauty Supply
*no physical location
(336) 689-7274

ArKay Beauty Supply is black owned & operated. They specialize in premium hair care and beauty products at affordable prices for the community. Located in Charlotte's University area, this beauty supply store was created during the COVID pandemic to serve customers in need of high quality hair care products. It is one of the few beauty supply stores that offers paid, on-the-job training and work experience specifically for high school seniors.

ArKay Beauty Supply
9325 J.W. Clay Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 598-4813