Restauranteur Derrick Faulcon, who spent 11 years in prison, has now established himself as the first Black-owned businessman in Brooklyn Heights.
Cloudy Donut Co. is a vegan donut shop that initially opened its first branch in Baltimore, MD in 2020 before expanding to NYC.
As the first Black-owned business in Brooklyn Heights, the shop is paving the way for other entrepreneurs to follow in its footsteps and make a difference in their communities.
Zewiditu Ruffin, who operates the Brooklyn Heights shop for the company, stated to VegNews, “Being the first means a great deal to us, and we’re proud of it, but it’s just the first step.
According to Black Enterprise, Faulcon initially wanted to follow a “reverse gentrification” model for his business focusing on adding locations to predominantly white areas.
After considering several options, Faulcon and Ruffin selected Brooklyn Heights as their new branch location due to it being one of the wealthiest areas in both Brooklyn and New York City.
“Reverse gentrification is this ideology that we bring out Black-owned businesses into predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods in order to bring visibility, diversity, and awareness,” Ruffin said.
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According to the website, the donut shop offers “44 delectable flavors for humans and pups.” Some flavors include Grapefruit Mimosa, Mango Chili Lime, and Sweet Potato donuts, and dog-friendly doughnuts: the Lil Bow Wow and the Snoop Doggy. The shops offer a new lineup of flavors each week.
Overall, the launch of the vegan donut shop in Brooklyn Heights is a cause for celebration, as it not only brings something new and exciting to the area but also represents a significant milestone for the Black community. Its inspiring story and unique menu are sure to make it a hit with locals and visitors alike, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this groundbreaking new business.
