Photo: Black Bodega
On Saturday, February 20, Bronx native Alize Jones will launch the grand opening of the first “Black Bodega,” which will provide much need services for the Bronx community that has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grand opening ceremonies will run from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 231 East 167th Street.
Participants will include:
- Black Bodega Owner Alize Jones
- Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz, Jr.
- Bronx Councilmember Vanessa Gibson
- Bronx rap artist and television host Peter Gunz
- Reality television personality Renee Graziano
- Rap artist Jadakiss
- Other Bronx officials
During the 1990’s, Bronx native Alize Jones was an enterprising record label executive who managed artists and created music for those in the hip-hop world. Today, he’s an entrepreneur and the founder of Black Bodega, a full-service deli and convenience store in the South Bronx community that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Jones was tired of witnessing the economic disparity in underserved communities like the South Bronx where he was raised so he created the blueprint for Black Bodega and the first store will open on February 20th with celebrity guest appearances all weekend. Black Bodega will deliver more than just high-quality products and supplies, it will be a neighborhood deli that breathes new life into the community by creating job opportunities for young adults and other local residents.
Among the other Bronx establishments that Mr. Jones owns includes the successful beauty salon Nails & Tips by Laila London, which enjoyed its grand opening in late September 2020. It’s a customer service friendly business that provides transportation for those who live within a one-mile radius of the business. According to Mr. Jones, the goal is to provide the nearby community with access to services that would only be granted to those more fortunate. “As a Black-owned business, it’s our goal to understand the plight of those in the surrounding community and provide a quality service our customers do deserve.”
Born and raised in the Bronx, Mr. Jones’ journey in serving the community and its people started during his youth with his work for the New York City Housing Authority. While working for one of NYC’s largest and most demanding departments, he met up with a girlfriend who worked for hip hop legend and Bronx native, KRS-ONE, and started working with the rapper/educator with his business. From there, other music business friends came to him for help, which led to his rise in the industry to label executive with Arista Records.
Mr. Jones credits his work within the recording industry for helping him further establish Black Bodega and the salon. “When I launched both businesses, I resourced the skills I developed on the business side of the recording/music industry. Being in the entertainment industry, I was able to utilize the relationships I have with folks in music, sports, film and television to help support
what I’m doing by getting the word out regarding Black Bodega and the salon business to those who follow them.” With much of the nation still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and its after-affects, Black Bodega and Nails & Tips by Laila London are following state and federal safety guidelines and are up to date with respect to safety standards.
