Raleigh’s economic growth is shining thanks to black-owned businesses

Business in North Carolina is finally recovering after being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic this is largely due to the growth of Black-owned businesses in Raleigh.

According to a report from the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, nearly 15,000 recent businesses were created in North Carolina in 2024. Flavor Hills Restaurant and Bar is one in all nearly 40 Black-owned businesses in downtown D.C. and is slowly becoming a guest favorite.

Chef-owner Morgan Teianne and her three partners have opened a second location in the guts of the house of Shaw University, an area HBCU. Their extensive menu includes Southern favorites including salmon croquettes, fried green tomatoes, and catfish and grits. Starting in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Teianne said she didn’t realize how big the brand new location was until she walked inside. “It was a very big deal for us and it wasn’t until we signed the lease that we realized how big it was,” said Chef Teianne.

“I really admire how many people like this food.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6BbzVjuSHH/?hl=en

Open five days per week, the restaurant has already made a reputation for itself amongst influencers and has hosted events including an open mic night and Greek night for historically Black fraternities and sororities since opening in January 2024. They recently hosted Dream Hill Weekend at Flavor Hills as a tribute for J.Cole’s Dreamville festival, which hosted fans and celebrities in the town in early April 2024. “People are delighted with what we presented, they were excited about our opening,” Teianne said.

Starting it culinary journey in Washington, D.C., a chef pays tribute to her father and late grandmother, who inspired her to perfect the craft of Southern cooking. She left the nation’s capital to take her talents to the Tar Heel State. She makes the capital her home and encourages other Black business owners to join her. Teianne stated that her company caters to all demographics and believes others could be equally successful. “I love supporting other black businesses,” she said.

Raleigh was named the second most economical city within the USA in February 2024 – according to the report of the Milken Institute, according to Moving up from third place in 2023, the town meets the factors for a top-rated metropolitan area that provides high wages, a glut of job opportunities and a seemingly low price of living, “making them economic models for the rest of the country.”

The report reviewed greater than 400 U.S. metropolitan areas using 13 economic indicators. The cities were then divided into large metros – with over 275,000 inhabitants – and smaller ones. Raleigh has been ranked in the highest 20 for the past 12 years.

For Flavor Hills, Raleigh is not the last stop. Teianne is considering a 3rd location in Charlotte, which might help create about 3,000 recent businesses in Mecklenburg County in 2024. “We wanted anyone to be able to come here to eat, laugh and drink,” she said.