Colorado.com Staff Writer

DFP Leaderboard: Article

<p>Black-owned restaurants and shops in Colorado are serving up plenty of options when it comes to ideas for dates — of the romantic and friend variety, gifts for loved ones and sweet treats or cool pints to brighten up your day. This year, honor Black History Month by showing love and support to some of the amazing Black-owned businesses in Colorado.</p>


Shop Local: Show Some Love to Colorado Black-Owned Restaurants & Shops

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Afternoon Tea at TeaLee's Tea Co. 

Saving some ice cream for later at the Caffeinated Cow

Rocking ICONI's stylish activewear

Susan's Samosas are flaky pouches of flavor

The food court at Mango House

Vegan Dole Whip from Sweet Sweetz

Rising Sun Distillery 

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<h2><strong>Date Night Ideas for Everyone</strong></h2>
<p>Whether you’re looking for romance or prefer to wine and dine with your BFFs, you’ll find plenty of ways to have a great time while supporting Black-owned Colorado restaurants and shops. Here are some ideas.</p>
<h3>If you’re on a first date …</h3>
<ul><li>Meet up at <a href="https://www.mawaskitchen.com/">Mawa's Kitchen</a> for weekend brunch or dinner. Savor breakfast classics like fluffy buttermilk pancakes or share a pastry board. Linger a little longer over a cozy lavender matcha latte. (<a href="/cities-and-towns/aspen">Aspen</a>)</li>
<li>Make a novel first impression at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tealeesdenver/">TeaLee’s Tea Co.</a> with an afternoon tea tray and book browsing in an environment that “moves to the rhythm of tea.” (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/denver">Denver</a>)</li>
<li>Plan a picnic (or car picnic in winter) and place a pick-up order with <a href="https://www.susansamosas.com/">Susan’s Samosas</a>. Bond while comparing notes on the flaky delights filled with everything from beef and chicken to veggies and fruit. (<a href="/cities-and-towns/boulder">Boulder</a>)</li>
</ul><h3>If you’re looking to spice things up …</h3>
<ul><li>Spicy Ethiopian chicken stew, peppery steak tartare and flavorful lentils — there’s no shortage of tummy-pleasing spice at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/casual-dining/ras-kassas-ethiopian-restaurant">Ras Kassa's Ethiopian Restaurant</a>. (<a href="/cities-and-towns/lafayette">Lafayette</a>)</li>
<li>The food hall at <a href="https://www.restaurantji.com/co/aurora/mango-house-/">Mango House</a> is a culinary haven for immigrant and refugee chefs, where you can savor the tapestry of flavors in authentic Ethiopian and Burmese fare. Discover bold rich flavors at places like Natoli Ethiopian Restaurant and Tata &amp; Nono Kitchen. (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/aurora">Aurora</a>)</li>
<li>Claiming to serve the best of their kind in the city, <a href="https://gennaraeswings.com/">Genna Rae's Wings &amp; More</a> offers wings tossed in house-made sauces like mango habanero, chili mango, island zing and more for authentic flavor. (Denver)</li>
</ul><h3>If you need ideas for friend dates …</h3>
<ul><li><a href="https://usdenver.com/">Urban Sanctuary Wellness Studios</a> offers an array of classes — both in-studio and online — so you can bond with your buds while working on your bind poses. (Denver)</li>
<li>Get crafty with a pal thanks to <a href="https://makergeneral.com/">Maker General</a>’s DIY weaving and embroidery kits — featuring Black American legends like Harriet Tubman and Prince — or paint-by-numbers kits of Rosa Parks and Michelle Obama. (<a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/longmont">Longmont</a>)</li>
<li>Nothing says “friendship” like sipping coffee or hot cocoa over a breakfast feast of buttery chocolate croissants, muffins and quiche at <a href="https://lefrenchdenver.com/">Le French Bakery &amp; Cafe</a>. (Denver)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.novelstrand.com/">Novel Strand Brewing Co.</a> is your friendly neighborhood brewery with rotating sours, hoppy styles and other pleasant surprises on tap. (Denver)</li>
</ul><h3>If you want to spend time together …</h3>
<ul><li>For a lively atmosphere, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Ultraflatblackgallery/#">Ultra Flat Black Gallery</a> is a great spot to grab a cold drink while enjoying live music. Both the interior and exterior are adorned with inspiring graffiti art, adding character to the space. (<a href="/cities-and-towns/colorado-springs">Colorado Springs</a>)</li>
<li>Unwind with a four-course meal at <a href="https://www.colorado.com/fine-dining/four-brother-luck">Four by Brother Luck</a>. Seasonal menus feature multiculturally influenced dishes, such as blue-corn bread with <em>wojapi</em> (Native American berry sauce), rabbit green chili and roasted cauliflower enchiladas. (Colorado Springs)</li>
</ul>

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DFP 4-Pack: Body

<h2><strong>Gifts for Your Most Special Someone</strong></h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://theblacktravelbox.com/"><strong>Black Travel Box</strong></a><strong>, </strong>Denver — Travel-ready skin- and haircare products for women of color are the name of the game.<br /><a href="https://www.shopatmatter.com/"><strong>Shop at MATTER</strong></a>, Denver — Your go-to for books, cool typography crafts, prints, games and so much more.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://bodylovebytal.com/">BodyLove by Tal Apothecar</a>y</strong>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/parker">Parker</a> — From anti-aging face serums to nourishing body oils, this shop's handcrafted products are made with all-natural ingredients.</li>
<li><a href="https://iconileggings.com/"><strong>ICONI</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/greenwood-village">Greenwood Village</a> — Oprah named this activewear line as one of her Favorite Things of 2020. Need we say more?</li>
<li><a href="https://www.lawrenceandlarimer.com/"><strong>Lawrence and Larimer Clothing + Supply Co.</strong></a>, Denver — These clothes encourage you to just be comfortable being you.</li>
</ul><h2><strong>Sweet Treats &amp; Caffeinated Cuddles</strong></h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://caffeinatedcow.com/"><strong>Caffeinated Cow</strong></a>, Colorado Springs — Family-owned and -operated coffee and ice-cream store that also sells sandwiches, bagels and breakfast burritos. (What more do you need?)</li>
<li><a href="https://mykingsicecream.com/"><strong>MyKings Icecream</strong></a>, Denver — A community gathering place scooping Colorado-made ice cream, milkshakes and snow cones.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/dining-restaurants/sweet-sweetz-ice-cream-dessert"><strong>Sweet Sweetz</strong></a>, Denver — A fun selection of dairy and vegan ice creams plus pies, cobblers, brownies and other goodies.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.endlessgrindcoffee.com/"><strong>Endless Grind Coffee</strong></a>, Aurora — Family-owned shop using fair-trade coffee that also sells teas, specialty drinks and light bites.</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://whittiercafe.com/">Whittier Cafe</a></strong>, Denver — A community-focused spot serving cappuccino, Kenyan tea and coffee sourced from various African nations. You'll also find Jamaican beer, Tigrayan honey wine and light bites like paninis and pastries.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.emnetorganics.com/"><strong>EmNet Organics</strong></a>, Aurora — Organic, raw juices and superfood smoothies are perfect for those who like to keep their sweets on the healthier side.</li>
</ul><h2>Want More?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/give-gift-colorado-experience-holiday-season">Give the gift of a Colorado experience</a></p>
<p><a href="/articles/colorado-in-color-explore-the-states-black-history">Ways to explore Colorado's Black history, culture &amp; more</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/4-family-vacations-winter-multigenerational-travel">Check out these ideas for winter family vacations in Colorado</a></p>
