Downtown Shreveport has a diverse culture when it comes to businesses, entrepreneurship, and influence.  Black-owned businesses are helping the city center thrive with their exceptional services and products.  These are just a few of the icons adding to the excitement and uniqueness of downtown.

Pop N Pizza at 500 Texas Street, (on the corner of Texas and Marshall Streets) serves mouthwatering injected breadsticks, pizza fries, no dough pizza bowls, calzones and delicious pizza.  Brittani Shabazz and her husband Rill Trill own the pizzeria that has attracted fans for the past two years.  318-734-3817.  https://www.facebook.com/thatswhatspopn

Ashley’s Tiers of Love, 420 Marshall Street, A bakery and custom cake shop, Ashley and Bobby Papion love making custom cakes for their customers.  And they can make just about anything you can imagine.  The bakery also serves warm and cold lunch options such as quesadillas, wraps, sandwiches and alfredo.  Among the most popular items are Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar, Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake in a Jar, Cookie Monster Cookies,  Cinnamon Rolls, and Pecan Candy.   The Papion’s have quickly become a favorite stop for downtowners.  Dine in or take out available.  Call 318-626-7187 or visit  https://ashleystiersoflove.com/

Sugar Lou’s Southern Creole Cuisine, 401 Edwards, Ste. 217.  Marilyn Jones’ eatery features flavorful food on the go, in shop or on food truck.   Located on the second floor of Louisiana Tower, the restaurant is great place to grab lunch!  Serving authentic southern creole flavors.  Enjoy daily specials, po’boys, wraps, salads, and burgers.  Opens 10:30 am.  318-349-7490. https://www.facebook.com/sugarlou4

Fusion Nutrition, 450 Clyde Fant Parkway, Suite 800.  This smoothie and juice bar is the best place to find healthy drinks that are so tasty.  The specialty shop offers smoothies, energy teas, and coffee.  Co-owners Beatrice Blackmon and Curtis Lee, Jr. invite you to “thrill your tastebuds” with their healthy drinks.  318-440-0773.  Opens 10:30 am.  https://www.facebook.com/p/Fusion-Nutrition-100083095128598/

Lena’s Shoe Gallery, 501 Milam, is a staple in downtown Shreveport having been on the same corner for decades.  The store carries men’s and women’s shoes and accessories.  Brands include J.Renee’, Clarks, Walking Cradles, Trotters, Daniel green.  Owner Phoebe Kimble made the smart decision to keep the name after she purchased the store from former owner the late Lena Thomason.  Kimble has made positive changes to the store’s display and inventory.  318-424-0272;  https://www.lenasshoegallery.com/

Cassandra’s on the River, 500 Clyde Fant Parkway, Suite 100.  One of downtown’s newest restaurants, Cassandra’s on the River, is a local, Louisiana-style restaurant dedicated to serving up authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine.  The restaurant combines the “best flavors of Louisiana with a casual, upscale dining setting.”  Hearty gumbo served with cornbread or tender catfish smothered in gravy, and other seafood dishes will make you want to come back again and again.  Owner Cassandra Pipkins-Johnson assures customers they won’t be disappointed.  318-626-7159   https://cassandrasontheriver.com

Additional downtown black-owned businesses will be featured in next week’s eBlast.  Shop local and support these downtown businesses!