Black History Month

There are so many wonderful Black-owned businesses in Avondale Estates. We want everyone to know more about them and their stories. This year we reached out to interview each of them. Please take a moment to get to know your neighbors and the hard working business owners that make this community sparkle.

A Small Place Bookshop

Owners: Jasmine Okafor & Enkeshi El-Amin

Overview of A Small Place Bookshop & Boutique

A Small Place Bookshop & Boutique is a small but vibrant space with big, beautiful energy, dedicated to amplifying Black narratives and celebrating the fullness of Black lives. Founded by long-time friends and Agnes Scott College alumni, our shop offers a carefully curated collection of books and cultural gifts that highlight and honor Black voices, culture, and storytelling.

Why We Started

We started A Small Place Bookshop & Boutique out of a passion for books, sisterhood, and community. As educators and cultural workers, we’ve seen the transformative power of books in fostering connection and dialogue. Recognizing the prevalence of book deserts and the rising censorship of Black literature through book bans, we wanted to create a space where these stories are celebrated and accessible to all.

What Being a Black-Owned Business Means to Us

To us, being a Black-owned business is a celebration of Black culture and brilliance. It’s an experience that reminds us daily of how our ancestors built lifeworlds by working collectively and we strive to build on foundations they have laid out for us. It’s a product of building, supporting, and transforming families, our own and those in our community.

A Memorable Moment or Achievement

From our very first Independent Bookstore Day to author talks and book signings—including with New York Times bestselling author Tricia Hersey—to our first news feature, reaching 2,000 followers on Instagram, and celebrating our first holiday season with Winter Wonderland festivities and Indie Bookstore Crawls, we’ve experienced so many meaningful milestones.

This past year brought one of our biggest and proudest achievements yet: moving into a brand-new space that allows us to more fully live into our vision and further root ourselves in the vibrant Avondale Estates community. With more room to gather, host events, and showcase thoughtfully curated books and goods, the new space reflects both our growth and our commitment to being a welcoming, community-centered bookstore.

We are deeply grateful for the community we continue to build—neighbors from Avondale Estates, friends from across metro Atlanta, and visitors from near and far. It is especially meaningful when old friends stop by to give their blessings, whether they’re from our childhoods, college years, or cities we’ve lived in along the way. One thing that never gets old is watching people walk into the store and be pleasantly surprised—not only by the size of the space, but by the beauty, care, and intention behind it.

As we approach our second anniversary this April, we are beyond proud of how far we’ve come and excited about what’s ahead. We encourage our community to continue to love on and support A Small Place—it truly takes a village, and we are honored to be part of this one.

IG: @asmallplacebookshop

https://www.asmallplacebooks.com/

Atlanta Vet Eye Clinic

Owner: Gail Powell-Johnson

Hello and thanks for the interest in my veterinary ophthalmology practice, Atlanta Veterinary Eye Clinic, here in Avondale Estates, established in 1981. My practice has been on College Avenue for decades. Both of my parents were educators, so of course, I leaned into their advice on my educational journey.

Animals are my life. I grew up in Miami, Florida. I have had every kind of pet growing up including a parakeet, named Mr. Kennedy, a Siamese cat, a duck who swam in our pool, a snake, and a Boxer by my side since I was an infant.

After attending Tuskegee University, an HBCU and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine. From there, I pushed on to an internship and residency in Comparative Ophthalmology at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.

I am passionate about providing exceptional care for my patients, dealing with diseases and surgery of the eye. My patients are typically really young patients born with genetic eye diseases, and geriatric patients that develop age related eye disease.

My mentor was Dr. Jack Knowles, who was our family veterinarian in Miami, Florida and cared for our pets. I worked at his office during the summers during high school. Dr. Knowles and his staff had a great relationship with his clients and patients. It was truly a loving, caring environment. I wanted that and have strived to achieve this everyday at Atlanta Veterinary Eye Clinic.

Having a successful practice for soo many years with professional relationships with referring veterinarians, and soo many clients, even second generation family pets is one of my biggest accomplishments. I have been a consultant to Zoo Atlanta for decades, providing ophthalmic care for soo many animals, including the famous primate, Willie B, and the amazing Pandas, to name a few. Also, providing pro bono ophthalmic care to soo many shelter animals over the years is one of my biggest accomplishments.

FB: Atlanta Veterinary Eye Clinic

https://www.atlantaveteyeclinic.com/

The Comic Workshop

Owners: Phillip & Stephanie Fleming

Overview

The Comic Workshop provides youth and adult art classes with a focus on comics/graphic novels. They empower students to tell their own stories! The Comic Workshop is led by working artists, Phillip and Stephanie Fleming, a husband and wife team of SCAD graduates. Established in 2019, TCW has been in Avondale since 2023, located inside Little Tree Art Studios.

Why We Started

As Black Business owners and children of immigrants we create a safe space for all stories to be told through sequential art. It is important to us to advance the field of comic art and art in general by being an embodied example in our community of representation. We want to help make creative careers accessible for both youth and adults by providing workshops that embed professional development and explore a range of career opportunities in the arts through each service we provide. We remind students that all of our stories are worthy of being published and shown on the big screens.

What Being a Black-Owned Business Means to Us

Comic books are the ultimate storytelling medium and perfect marriage between art and education. Creating a comic book incorporates reading, writing, drawing, coloring, narrative structure, critical thinking, and so much more. After years of teaching the same old art and craft education classes for other companies, we ventured to build a business that uses art to drive home educational milestones for youth and career pivoting support for adults. The Comic Workshop is designed to bring comic art education to where people are and empower everyone to tell their own stories. We currently offer in-person workshops at our Avondale studio location and travel to libraries and schools upon request.

A Memorable Moment or Achievement

Summer of 2025 we launched our first week of camp in partnership with The Wren’s Nest. The success of that program inspired us to build a full 9-week camp program this summer 2026 which is now booking online!

IG: @thecomicworkshop

FB: The Comic Workshop

https://www.thecomicworkshop.org/

Eclectic Hair Studio

Owner: Tia Gissendaner

Tia Gissendaner was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Her career began in the New Jersey-New York metropolis, but she later relocated to Atlanta, where she has been a stylist for the past 37 years.

Tia’s love of styling hair is reflected in each client’s unique cut. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that every client feels comfortable with their total salon experience and confident that their style reflects their individual needs and desires.

Recognized for her impeccable styling and attention to detail, Tia has been featured in the pages of Black Sophisticated Hair, Hype Hair, Mazza, Metro Styles, and Hot Atlanta, to name a few. For five years, Tia has owned and operated Eclectic Hair Studio in Avondale Estates.

IG: @eclectichairstudiosalon

FB: Eclectic Hair Studio Salon

https://eclectichairstudio.wixsite.com/tiag3

P’s In The Pod

Owner: Catrina Knight

As a stay-at-home mom of two girls, and one boy, I found myself utterly frustrated trying to find the perfect time to run errands, pick up groceries, clean the house, take a nap, get work done, or just simply take a break from it all. With a professional background as an elementary school teacher, literacy coach, and assistant principal in the DeKalb County School District, I wanted more than just babysitting for my daughter Peyton, the first pea in our pod. Once my second daughter Paige was born, and my son, Parker joined our family, the idea of a home-away-from-home with the opportunity to explore the world through social play came about. In 2013, P’s in the Pod provided that opportunity.

I wanted an ideal setting, a place that was unquestionably safe, eco-friendly, convenient, and affordable. Then I thought other children should have the opportunity to experience this as well. I believe every child deserves the best environment to learn, play and grow. Our pea pod creates explorers, dreamers, and creative thinkers.

At P’s in the Pod, we give our ALL into providing the best quality organic education, while our little peas are exploring the world through social play. Our highly qualified and experienced staff provides extraordinary care, exposure to music, arts and crafts, reading in the “Pea Patch”, and so much more! Natural light, modern but comfy style, environmental-friendly furniture and educational toys, combined with convenience provide the best environment for social goodness.

We know it’s not easy juggling life and all its demands, but as parents, we want nothing but the best for our children at the same time; our Parents’ Morning Out and full day program provide just that.

As a mother of three, my goal is to simplify the lives of parents, while delivering a “home-away-from home” for your children with the best care and an organic age-appropriate education. Our dream is to re-define the early learning experience and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Owning a Black-owned business is deeply personal. It is rooted in history, sacrifice, and the dreams of those who came before me. Every step of this journey fills me with pride and gratitude…not just for the opportunity to build something of my own, but for the ability to stand as proof that our visions matter and our work has value. My success is inseparable from my community. Giving back is a responsibility I carry with intention, because I know that when one of us rises, it creates space for others to rise too. Supporting, uplifting, and investing in our community is how I honor the path that allowed me to be here and help shape a future filled with possibility.

IG: @psinthepod

FB: P’s in the Pod

https://catrinaknight.wixsite.com/home

Feather Nail Bar

Owner: Catrina Knight

Opening Feather Nail Bar during the pandemic was an act of faith. It was driven by a deep desire to create a space where trust, cleanliness, and care were non-negotiable. In a time filled with uncertainty, I wanted clients to feel safe the moment they walked through our doors. I also wanted clients confident that their health was a priority and that their experience would be nothing short of exceptional. Feather Nail Bar was built on the belief that top-notch customer service and meticulous hygiene go hand in hand, creating not just a salon, but a sanctuary rooted in intention, comfort, and community.

Being a Black-owned business means walking in purpose, leading with excellence, and creating a legacy that goes beyond profit. It is proof that we belong in spaces of ownership, innovation, and leadership. When we build, we build with intention and heart. My success is not mine alone; it is meant to inspire, uplift, and open doors for others.

IG: @feathernailbar

FB: Feather Nail Bar

https://www.feathernailbar.com/

Purple Corkscrew

Owner: Steffini Bethea

Overview

The Purple Corkscrew is the oldest Black-owned wine shop and tasting room in metro Atlanta, proudly serving the community for 14 years, with 11 of those in Avondale. What makes us special is our carefully curated selection of small vineyard, boutique wines from around the world., made possible through strong personal relationships I’ve built with winemakers and suppliers globally.

Why We Started

I started my business from a love of wine that deepened as I traveled the world and discovered stories, vineyards and flavors I’d never been exposed to before. When I returned home and realized there were no Black owned wine shops in metro Atlanta, I chose to create what I was missing, a space where discovery, culture and representation can pour freely.

What Being a Black-Owned Business Means to Us

Being a Black owned business means honoring the legacy of resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurship that came before me while creating space and opportunity for those coming next. It’s about representation, community impact and using my platform to support other small Black owned businesses while operating with excellence and authenticity.

A Memorable Moment or Achievement

One of the most memorable moments for me is traveling to other cities and countries and being surprised when people already know “The PurpleCorkscrew.” I’m also incredibly proud to have been recognized as a top wine shop and wine expert by Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine and other renowned publications, affirming that a small Black owned business can have a global footprint.

IG: @purplecorkscrewwine

FB: Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room

https://www.purplecorkscrew.com/

Here are a few more black-owned businesses in Avondale Estate that didn’t have time for an interview but still deserve lots of love! Be sure to check them out as well.