When De’Ari Allick decided to bring his entrepreneurial dream to life, he chose to open a storefront eatery in his home neighborhood of Dixwell in New Haven.
With a range of soul food and seafood, Dope N Delicious, Allick’s restaurant at 300 Dixwell Ave., served as the backdrop of a news event Friday celebrating local businesses with Valentine’s Day offerings.
“We’re excited to be here back in our community. I was born and raised in the Ashmun Street projects, so I know all about this area – how it was and what it’s about to become,” Allick said, referring to himself and partner James Nelson. “I felt like it was best for us to reinvest into our community.”
For the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, Allick is offering catering for private events and in-home dinners, along with dine-in meals and takeout at the Dixwell location.
Nethia Joyner, owner of neighboring business Mae Flower & Gift Shop, said she welcomed efforts to boost the work of entrepreneurs in the traditionally under-resourced Dixwell corridor. She established her store last year in honor of her mother, Mae.
“It is a great opportunity for us to grow and build not just our flower shop but the community as well,” Joyner said. “We look forward to you guys ordering flowers from us during the season.”
Citing recent improvements like the revamped Dixwell Q House, a new Cornell Scott-Hill Health center facility nearing completion and hundreds of units of new housing under construction, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said the event was celebrating the neighborhood’s steps toward revitalization.
“We’re really excited here today to support these two businesses, and also to highlight just so much work that we have going on in the Dixwell Avenue corridor,” Elicker said. “There’s so much work that we want to do to help support in particular Black- and brown-owned businesses, entrepreneurs that are looking to make an idea into a lifestyle and a long-term way that they can make sure that they build equity.”
Dozens of Black and brown entrepreneurs have opened businesses in the past few years and have faced challenging pandemic-era conditions, said Cathy Graves, deputy director of small business development for New Haven.
“Upon reflection, I have to say I’m reminded of the great Harriet Tubman, who said, ‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer.’ We welcome these businesses,” Graves said.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
