In honor of Black History Month, we’re excited to spotlight Hush Harbor Artisan Bakery & Café, a beloved staple in Atascadero that’s been bringing delicious, handcrafted bread and baked goods to the Central Coast for over two decades. Founded by Donnie Monroe and Penni Monroe, this Black-owned bakery has become a true gem for locals and visitors alike.

Donnie Monroe, with a background in aerospace, discovered his passion for European-style bread later in life. After years in the aerospace industry, he shifted gears and pursued his dream of opening a bakery. He attended the San Francisco Baking Institute and honed his skills working at Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro in Riverside before launching Hush Harbor in 2003.

While Donnie Monroe oversees the baking, Penni Monroe has taken on the business side of Hush Harbor, ensuring that the bakery stays rooted in the local community and is a place where everyone feels welcome. They’ve faced challenges as one of the only Black-owned businesses in Atascadero, but the support from loyal customers and the local community has helped them persevere, especially during difficult times such as the pandemic and social unrest.

The bakery specializes in artisanal bread, made from scratch pastries and other comforting meals. Every loaf is crafted by hand, with no machines or automation, but simply years of expertise and patience. The Monroes’ commitment to quality is clear, and their customers rave about the textures, flavors and beauty of their baked goods. Some of the most popular items include the morning glory muffins, chocolate chip cookies and the seasonal sweet potato pies, all made with fresh ingredients and prepared daily.

Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch or a freshly baked loaf, you’re sure to experience the Monroes’ dedication to quality and their commitment to their community. To support this Hush Harbor, visit them at 5735 El Camino Real in Atascadero.

In honor of Black History Month, the CIE is spotlighting Black-owned businesses across San Luis Obispo county that brings creativity and community to the Central Coast. This week, we are celebrating A Satellite of Love, a vibrant space where art, music and culture intersect. 

Owned and operated by Malik Miko Thorne, the boutique offers an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, vinyl records, books, artisanal decor and handmade goods. Beyond its curated selection, A Satellite of Love also serves as a gathering place that fosters connection, reflecting Thorne’s deep commitment to community. 

Thorne took full ownership of the shop after buying out his friends and has since used his background in the arts to shape A Satellite of Love into a space that goes beyond retail. Before the pandemic, the shop regularly hosted music nights, movie screenings in collaboration with Arts Obispo and small performances from local and traveling musicians. It was one of the few places in downtown San Luis Obispo where people could experience live entertainment outside of the typical bar scene.

Born in Hawaii to a Black and Indigenous father and an Indian mother, Thorne spent much of his early life moving between Georgia and the Bay Area before attending Cal Poly. His passion for music led him to KCPR, Cal Poly’s college radio station, where he discovered a welcoming and creative community that solidified his love for San Luis Obispo.

His love for music later led him to host a soul show on KCBX, San Luis Obispo’s public radio station, and eventually into a career as a DJ for weddings and events for over 15 years. His experience in radio, music and event production continues to shape the vision for A Satellite of Love as a dynamic space that bridges the gap between retail and expression.

A Satellite of Love is a reflection of Thorne’s dedication to fostering independent business, artistic expression and meaningful connections. You can visit A Satellite of Love at 1335 Walker St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or check out their online store here.

This Black History Month, we’re highlighting Black-owned businesses that are making an impact in San Luis Obispo. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Ebony SLO, the first Ethiopian restaurant in the area, founded by sisters Helen Abraha and Martha Taezaz. With a deep passion for cooking and a mission to bring authentic Ethiopian flavors to the Central Coast, Ebony is more than just a restaurant — it’s a celebration of culture and community. 

Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Abraha and Taezaz learned the art of cooking from their mother, who instilled in them the value of patience, love and tradition in the kitchen. Abraha’s passion led her to earn a Culinary Arts degree, while Taezaz pursued formal training at Ethiopia’s Catering and Tourism Training Institute. 

Together, they’ve combined their expertise and lifelong love of food to create Ebony SLO, a restaurant that honors their roots while introducing Ethiopian cuisine to a new audience.

Since opening in December 2023, Ebony has quickly gained a loyal following, offering an entirely organic, vegan, and gluten-free menu. Staples like misir wot (a flavorful red lentil stew), shiro (a rich chickpea dish) and freshly made injera (a traditional fermented flatbread) transport customers to the heart of Ethiopia with every bite. 

Beyond the food, Ebony introduces an essential part of Ethiopian culture: the tradition of sharing meals.

“In Ethiopia, food is always about sharing,” Taezaz explained in an interview with Mustang News. “We eat together from one big plate, and that’s what makes it special.”

For many customers, Ebony has become a place to experience not only new flavors but also the warmth and hospitality that define Ethiopian dining. Regulars have praised the restaurant not just for its incredible food, but for the dedication and heart that Abraha and Taezaz put into every dish.

Abraha and Taezaz’s journey reflects the resilience, passion and dedication of Black entrepreneurs in San Luis Obispo. While Black History Month serves as a time to recognize and uplift Black-owned businesses, support shouldn’t stop when February ends.

As the sisters continue to introduce more people to the beauty of Ethiopian food, the best way to support them is simple: show up, spread the word and celebrate the diversity that makes San Luis Obispo a richer place to live.

Visit Ebony SLO at 778 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or visit their website. 

To kick off Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Thrifty Beaches, a unique vintage clothing and furniture shop in the heart of Downtown San Luis Obispo. Founded by Adam Kemp, MBA student from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), Thrifty Beaches is a testament to resilience, sustainability and entrepreneurship. 

The inspiration to start Thrifty Beaches began both financial and practical. “Not having money inspired me. I needed to make more, and once I got more, it turned into a passion for sustainability and wanting to give clothing a second or third or fourth life,” Kemp explained. 

What began with a chance discovery of vintage dining chairs at a Goodwill Outlet quickly grew into a thriving business, with over 15,000 pieces sold and a loyal clientele of more than 3,000 people in San Luis Obispo alone. But, the journey hasn’t been easy. 

Opening a storefront in the center of Downtown SLO came with unexpected challenges, including fines and code enforcement issues. Despite these hurdles, Kemp pushed forward, fueled by a commitment to his community. 

“I could’ve stopped there and said screw it, I can’t do anything. But I kept trying. That stems from having influential people in the back of my mind that pushed through so much adversity in their lives.” 

Kemp drew inspiration from figures like Langston Hughes and Malcom X. 

“Langston Hughes was one of my favorite Black icons as a kid. Malcom X reminds me to be strong in the face of adversity, and to not allow a door closing to stop me,” Kemp said. 

Kemp also sees Thrifty Beaches as part of a larger mission to bring diversity to San Luis Obispo. “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,” he explained, encouraging other entrepreneurs of color to pursue their dreams in San Luis Obispo. He believes the city needs more diversity and urges the community to show support not just during Black History Month, but year-round. 

To support Thrifty Beaches Headquarters, visit them downtown at 876 Higuera Street or check them out on Instagram @thrifty.beaches.