February is Black History Month — but you can celebrate all year by supporting these new Black-owned businesses. Expand your culinary horizons at two new eateries after making sure your outfit has been properly fluffed and folded! These three new businesses are part of a steady upward trend in Black business ownership throughout the country.
PANAMA INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT / 211 PINE AVENUE
Perhaps you’ve already noticed the enticing aromas emanating from a new Pine Avenue eatery. It’s the Panama International Restaurant, which celebrated its grand opening on New Year’s Eve.
Owners Roger and Mercedes Squires have spent years perfecting their Caribbean-style menu, which is now being served five nights a week. Diners are loving the Stuffed Snapper, Pollo Guisado (stewed chicken), Beef Oxtail, Seafood Empanadas, a fantastic Ceviche, and many more amazing delicacies, including vegan and vegetarian dishes.
“If you want to visit another country without having to travel, you can come here and have a truly international experience you won’t forget,” said Roger, the Executive Chef, who spent much of his youth in Panama. Roger acquired many of his culinary skills from his chef grandfather, who helped him cultivate his love for Panamanian cuisine.
In his early teen years, Roger moved to Los Angeles and met his future wife Mercedes while attending Junior High. They both graduated from Fairfax High School. Mercedes got familiar with Long Beach after gaining employment with the City in 2018. After she left the job in 2021, she and Roger began doing food pop-ups around L.A. They opened the first Panama International Restaurant at Wilshire and La Brea in 2021.
“Five years later, we’ve settled into our new location in Downtown Long Beach and we’re so excited,” said Mercedes. “This location really chose us. We looked at three different places in Long Beach. This one captured us because it very much embodies Panama, from the corrugated roofing to the archways. There’s a very Spanish-Latin feeling inside this space.”
The couple will be presenting live entertainment soon. “We’re excited about hosting a Salsa Night, with dinner and dancing,” said Roger. “But when you walk in, we want you to get an aroma that reminds you of home — that there are relatives in the kitchen cooking something for you.”
Panama International Restaurant is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9:30 PM; Friday from 3 to 10:30 PM; Saturday from 2:30 to 10:30 PM; and Sunday from 4 to 9 PM.
SUDS N STUFF LAUNDERLAND / 1004 ALAMITOS AVE.
Did you know that laundromats are recognized by the U.S. Government as essential services? Teves Lee and her new customers know how essential laundromats are. “Business is picking up,” she said. “The neighborhood is awakening to this laundromat being re-opened. It’s been here for about 20 years but was closed for a year before I took ownership of it a few months ago. Neighbors had started going to other, farther-away laundromats. Slowly but surely they’re coming back here.”
Teves was introduced to washers and dryers by her grandfather during her childhood years in Carson. “He was an appliance guy,” she recalled. “As kids, we used to play around a bunch of machines he’d be fixing up. As I became familiar with them, I developed an interest in owning a laundry business.”
Several years after moving to Long Beach at age 15 and going on to graduate from Banning High School, Teves opened her first business, Afros of Hollywood, at 408 E 3rd St. in 2015. A few years later she expanded her empire, opening her second business, Master Barbering Academy, next door at 406 E 3rd St. She’s seen many changes in Downtown in the last 10 years.
“I’m a big fan of the new face of Downtown,” she said. “I love the new buildings, the new businesses, and the new people coming in. I’ve seen a total change in Downtown since I opened Afros of Hollywood. I’ve gotten much more engagement from the city in recent years. They’ve shown more interest in the small businesses here.”
Teves plans on bringing in some bigger machines, launching a Fluff n’ Fold service, and making some interior upgrades. She wants to alert locals to “Laundry Love Day,” every third Thursday of the month, when customers can wash and dry up to 5 or 6 loads of laundry for free from 6 to 8 PM.
“We will also be offering Fluff n’ Fold services catering to laundry-heavy Downtown businesses such as day spas, beauty parlors, and barber shops,” Teves added. “The first time they bring their laundry in, up to 10 pounds of Fluff n’ Fold is free. This service is for any local small business that has a laundry need but doesn’t want to deal with the laundry, just their own daily business.”
Suds N Stuff Launderland is open 7 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week.
FISHBONE SEAFOOD / 149 E 4TH ST.
Want to see the living embodiment of the term “go-getter?” Check out Greg Walter, owner of Fishbone Seafood, which opened late last year. He commutes to Long Beach from Temecula six days a week to handle business at his new restaurant, then puts in a shift in the Port of Long Beach, where he has worked full-time as a Crane Operator/Longshoreman for over 30 years. “I usually get home around 4:30 AM, sleep until 10 AM or so, then get up and do it again,” Greg explained.
Fishbone Seafood has a rapidly-growing clientele, thanks to the deliciousness of its Louisiana-style seafood. Dine-in, take-out, and delivery customers are giving rave reviews about the grilled and Cajun-style Tilapia, Catfish, Sole, Red Snapper, and more fish entrees served with southern soul food sides such as Red Beans and Rice, Hush Puppies, Candied Yams, and Collard Greens.
“My grandmother is from Louisiana. I grew up on this kind of food,” said Greg.
Born in L.A., Greg graduated from Carson High School, got his business degree from UCLA, went on to study sound engineering, then started working in the music industry. At one point he was on the road crew for legendary guitarist George Benson. “I always wanted to own a restaurant or a bar, though,” he explained. “Fishbone is how I’m getting my feet wet in the industry.”
Greg looked for a restaurant location from Riverside to the South Bay before settling on Downtown Long Beach. “I love Downtown, its energy and its people,” he said. “It’s a diverse community and a young crowd, with lots of people aged 25 to 40. I’m here to introduce a cuisine that I don’t think too many people here know about — a Louisiana, Cajun-style fish menu. I wanted to be the one to introduce them to it.”
As his new business gets established, Greg is thinking about developing promos like Fish Taco Tuesday and Fish Fry Friday. “I would love to host live jazz in our patio area on the weekends,” he added. “We have delectable food you’re going to like. You’re going to learn what southern cuisine and soul food are all about.”
Fishbone Seafood is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Closed Monday.