8 Veteran-Owned Businesses to Support in Durham

During their time in the United States armed forces, many military service members gain various skills essential to entrepreneurship. One way to show our appreciation to veterans for their service is to support them when they re-enter civilian life and launch businesses.

Accordion Club

316 W. Geer St.

Head to the Accordion Club for a low-key, relaxed hangout with affordable drinks, hot dogs, a great back patio and plenty of friendship. Scott Richie, the veteran bartender who opened Accordion Club on Geer Street a few years ago, has worked in and out of the Durham bar scene for the better part of the last two decades.

Bull City Massage Therapy

310 E. Main St.

Offering a variety of massages, cupping, reiki and more, Bull City Massage Therapy prioritizes the wellness journey of each of their patrons. The team at BCMT is guided by the award winning approach of is founder, Susan Falyar. Before her journey with massage therapy, Susan spent 12 years as an EMT and Aerospace Medical Technician in the U.S. Air Force. For a one-of-a-kind massage experience, head to Bull City Massage Therapy.

Flying Bull Beer Co.

752 Ninth St.

Established in 2020, The Flying Bull Beer Co. is a veteran-owned community brewery on historic Ninth Street. Owner Joel Miles served in the Air Force for about four years and wanted to create a space where everyone was welcome. They feature classic brews as well as hard-to-find guest beers and ciders, showcasing the best North Carolina has to offer.

Indulge Catering, LLC

2223 NC-54

Indulge Catering, LLC Sous Chef Jay served in the U.S. Army for four years. Together with her wife, Chef Queen Precious-Jewel, they are on a mission to create healthy food that actually tastes good. So good, in fact, Queen Precious-Jewel appeared on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars in 2023. You can indulge at home with Indulgent Essential Spices, and they also offer full-service event catering, personal chef experiences, corporate catering, and wedding catering services in Durham. Go ahead and indulge!

Lula & Sadie’s

2022 Chapel Hill Rd.

Lula & Sadie’s is a seasonal Southern eatery that highlights the region’s cultural roots and bounty of produce. Chef Harry S. Monds, the executive chef at Lula & Sadie’s, served in the Air Force stationed at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico for four years. From scalloped potatoes and hot cakes to tomato salad, chicken potpies, and eggnog-pecan French toast, Chef Monds knows how to cook up some good flavors.

Saltbox Seafood Joint

2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

With decades of fine dining restaurant and hospitality experience, Chef Ricky Moore believes that ordinary, simple food can be extraordinary when executed at the highest level. His military experience and upbringing taught him to be disciplined, stay the course, and strive for excellence. The James Beard Foundation recognized his culinary work in a big way in 2022: Chef Ricky won the Best Chef in the Southeast category.

The 360° Approach

404 Hunt St.

Chan Little is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. After serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chan elected to separate from the USAF to pursue her passion for a career in wellness. In 2013, Chan opened The 360° Approach, a boutique wellness studio offering personal training, fitness classes, health coaching, nutrition counseling, mindfulness practices, and weight loss support.

Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.

2500 Meridian Parkway

Mara Shelton joined the National Guard in 2001. Today, she is the president of Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. (TWBC), North Carolina’s first female- and veteran-owned brewery. In addition to running fundraisers for the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, TWBC also partners with Operation Fly Our Flag, a North Carolina-based organization with a mission “to honor those who serve(d) our country and communities.”

Know of another veteran-owned business in Durham? Please email us at blog@discoverdurham.com. Thank you veterans!

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