By K.D. Norris
Woodland Mall, and parent company PREIT, knows it is good for business and good for the local community to support Black-owned businesses and to support brands focused on the Black community, and not just during Black History Month.
Through its “Support Black-Owned Businesses and Brands 365” initiative, the Mall has created a home on its shopwoodlandmall.com website highlighting Black-owned retailers, fashion brands, cosmetics, fragrance lines, books, music and other products for sale within other retailers at the mall.
“We feel this was a concrete step we could take to encourage our guests to support Black-owned businesses throughout the year,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing manager, said in supplied material. “The past year has been challenging for many retailers, but Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Consumers can now make even more informed buying decisions that will directly support Black entrepreneurs in our community.”
According to an announcement this week from the Mall, this is part of an ongoing effort by the Mall’s parent company, PREIT, to “spotlight Black-owned entrepreneurs and brands within its portfolio of top-tier and region-leading properties in eight states.”
During the coming year, at least two-thirds of PREIT properties also plan to host community-wide Black-owned Business Showcases, providing entrepreneurs with a venue to showcase their goods and services.
Woodland Mall was the first property in the PREIT portfolio to host a showcase, welcoming more than 80 regional Black-owned businesses in October 2020, and the Mall plans to do so again in August.
PREIT properties are also planning events and activities throughout the year as a way to highlight the importance of Black-owned business and brands beyond Black History Month. During 2021, Woodland Mall has hosted an art exhibit, documentary screening and this past weekend’s successful pop-up shop welcoming Black-owned entrepreneurs to the mall.
Mall, retailers have history of Black community support
Woodland Mall is already home to Boutique Boulevard, a unique women’s clothing and accessories retailer curated from locally owned Black businesses. The store is located in the Barnes and Noble wing near Kay Jewelers.
Woodland Mall retailers also feature a wide variety of Black-owned brands and merchandise, including products that can be found at Sephora, including, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Briogeo by Nancy Twine and others. The JCPenney Salon features Hair by Athulia, which specializes in luxury hair care for women of color.
Macy’s honors and celebrates “the brilliant legacies woven into the fabric of Black history and experience,” by spotlighting Black creators and change makers who continue to make their mark. Macy’s is also committed to empowering future leaders by supporting UNCF and Black Girls CODE through donations at the register or online.
Williams Sonoma is paying tribute to the historic achievements of generations of African Americans in the culinary arts and beyond. Shoppers can get cooking with great recipes and expert cooking tips and explore cookbooks by Black authors.
Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing.
In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
