Carmelia Rameau
When Carmelia Rameau walked into the empty Harrisburg storefront, she knew immediately that this was it.
She had been hunting for a location for her new business, C. R. Blooms Wellness Boutique + Facial Room, and felt like she’d found the perfect spot. She was excited to bring her business to Harrisburg.
“There’s not too many self-care, wellness businesses around,” Rameau said. “The niche that I have, which is holistic facials, there’s not much around, so I stand out.”
With around 15 years of experience in the skincare industry, Rameau opened her store in June and started bringing in clients for her signature natural facials. The Miami native loves providing services to her diverse customer base and appreciates the community she’s forming in Harrisburg, she said.
C.R. Blooms is one of around a dozen new businesses that are minority- and/or women-owned that have recently set up shop in downtown Harrisburg. Diverse new boutiques, restaurants, salons and even a theater have opened in the past months.
According to Jason Graves, director of economic development for Harrisburg, the city has seen the highest number of business licenses issued in a dozen years—635. He credits the trend to an “entrepreneurial bug” that people started to catch during the pandemic, given the extra downtime at home, that has persisted, even now.
As more entrepreneurs give it a go and plant their business flags downtown, it can often spur on others to take the chance, he said.
“There’s a feeling of, if they can do it, I can do it too,” Graves said.
Graves has seen an increase, as well, specifically in women- and minority-owned businesses opening downtown. In fact, across the nation, there has been growth in the number of minority business owners in recent years, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Graves views this as a great thing for Harrisburg.
“It creates a sense of culture and identity. It creates a sense of ownership,” he said. “If you have a diverse area, it shows the culture and authenticity of the area.”
Talond Luckette
Taking a Chance
On one downtown street alone, 3rd Street, at least eight businesses this year have opened new storefronts, occupying retail space in buildings owned by Harristown Enterprises. Just around the corner on Chestnut Street, there are two more. All of them are women- and/or minority-owned.
Up the street from C.R. Blooms, Harrisburg native Talond Luckette opened Real Elite Buffet in September.
After about 18 years of working his way up in the restaurant industry, he was ready to cook up his own business idea.
“As I moved up the ranks through my career, I realized I could do something,” Luckette said. “I wanted to do something new and different.”
Luckette settled on a Brazilian-style steakhouse idea, serving up slow-cooked, marinated meats like steak, chicken, brisket and fish, along with sides of green beans, mashed potatoes, potato salad and more.
Everything, he said, is made with love.
“Everyone leaves happy, that’s what I like to see,” he said.
And while he also looked at locations for his business outside of Harrisburg, he couldn’t help but land on a spot within his city, serving people in his community.
“I love Harrisburg,” Luckette said. “I think downtown is coming back to life. I want to end up becoming a staple in the community.”
Rameau feels the same way. When she moved to the city from Miami in search of a slower-paced hometown for her son and herself, she fell in love with the peace she found in the outdoors—hiking and walking the Capital Area Greenbelt. She’s also grown to appreciate the community and is happy to see other new businesses also taking a chance downtown.
“Harrisburg is Pennsylvania’s capital. It should be booming. There should be so many diverse businesses here,” Rameau said. “I’m thankful there is a renaissance happening here, and people are taking a chance to open a diverse business.”
Tamara Robinson-Grant
Up & Coming
Tamara Robinson-Grant got the “entrepreneurial bug” several years ago and started dreaming of one day opening her own store.
She’s worked as a CNA at a nursing home for 15 years and loves her job, but she had another passion that she wanted to pursue, as well.
In March, Robinson-Grant opened Tamara Boutique, stocking her storefront with clothing and accessories. The racks and shelves display a rainbow assortment of handbags, dresses, shoes and jewelry.
“I’m a bag lady; I love bags,” she said. “When somebody comes in and buys something and they smile, it’s like, ‘Oh my goodness, I was missing this all along.’”
Already, Robinson-Grant has regular customers, and a few who even come in daily to shop.
Around the corner, another bright, colorful store awaits.
WowDamnFoxy Hair opened in October in a bright pink shop on Chestnut Street. Owner LaToria Byas makes and sells custom and medical wigs, all in hopes of boosting her clients’ confidence.
“At the end of the day, I like to help people,” she said. “I like to make people happy.”
While Byas previously operated out of the Colonial Park Mall, she decided to take a chance on Harrisburg.
“Downtown is developing and changing,” she said. “I’m glad I’m here. It’s up and coming, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Other recently opened minority- and women-owned businesses downtown include Found Collab, Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack, ManeClass Salon, Narcisse Theatre Company and Unleashed Grooming Company, among others, also occupying Harristown-owned buildings.
For many of downtown’s new business owners, seeing other entrepreneurs who look like them has been inspirational.
As a Black woman who was typically in the minority in her field of natural, holistic skincare, Rameau understands the importance of representation.
“Because this is the business district of Harrisburg, I feel like I do play an important role, as far as representation goes, of being a Black woman business owner,” she said.
Seeing other women also chasing their dreams and opening businesses has inspired Robinson-Grant, as well, and she hopes to do the same for others.
“It’s like, if she did this, maybe I can do this too,” she said. “It gives you energy.”
Visit New Downtown Businesses
- C. R. Blooms, 7 N. 3rd St.
- Real Elite Buffet, 15 N. 3rd St.
- Tamara Boutique, 17 S. 3rd St.
- WowDamnFoxy Hair, 308 Chestnut St.
- Found Collab, 25 S. 3rd St.
- Fresca Burger and Chicken Shack, 303 Walnut St. (inside Strawberry Square)
- ManeClass Salon, 5 N. 3rd St.
- Narcisse Theatre Company, 312 Chestnut St.
- Unleashed Grooming Company, 3 N. 3rd St.
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