Springfield Town Center's Black-Owned Stores Get Juneteenth Spotlight

SPRINGFIELD, VA — Springfield Town Center is honoring Juneteenth by highlighting its Black-owned stores, restaurants, services and products.

Juneteenth refers to the date in June 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. That was the last place in the U.S. to learn slaves had been freed, marking the end of slavery. Today, the holiday commemorates the freedom of African Americans with various celebrations, according to Juneteenth.com.

Last year, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth an official holiday, becoming the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday was approved in 1983. Juneteenth is oldest-known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.

This year, Juneteenth is celebrated on Sunday, June 19 and the federal holiday is on Monday, June 20.

In honor of Juneteenth, Springfield Town Center, at 6500 Springfield Mall, will highlight the mall's Black-owned businesses on its website and social media. These efforts are part of an ongoing effort by the mall’s parent company, PREIT, to spotlight Black-owned entrepreneurs and brands within its portfolio of properties in eight states, the mall said.

“These businesses play an integral role at Springfield Town Center, offering valuable products and experiences to our community,” Justin Roth, marketing director of Springfield Town Center, said in a statement. “We invite community members to join in supporting these entrepreneurs on Juneteenth — and throughout the year.”

The Black-owned businesses and brands at Springfield Town Center include:

• Fashion retailers WeNoticeU, Deadstock DMV, Best Kept Secrets and Ethiopian Twice Boutique sell custom Black-owned brands, sneaker consignment, kawaii accessories, and traditional handmade clothing, respectively.
• Food offerings Jammin’ Island BBQ, which serves authentic Jamaican BBQ and island cuisine; and Irresistible Cupcakes by Fatima, a woman-owned bakery offering custom cakes and cupcakes.
• Services such as Photo Me, offering professional photography services; Sunrise Art Studio, a painting studio, and private event space; and WE ‘R’ VR, a high-end virtual reality entertainment center.
• Beauty services company Johann’s Beauty Bar, offering premium hair extensions and services; as well as Allure Defined Beauty, a woman-owned beauty and body clinic specializing in skincare, lashes, waxing, and more.

Additional black-owned businesses at Springfield Town Center include Never2Fly2Pray, ShopE1982 and Empower Me Vendor Shows.

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