Visit PA, marking Black History Month and supporting Black-owned businesses, has searched the state and arrived at two recommendable commercial entities in Montgomery County.

Black History Month goes back to 1915, according to an article on The History Channel website. Its February timeframe was in honor of the January 31, 1865 passing of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.

What started out as just a week of honorifics blossomed into a full month in the 1960s, propelled by socially conscious college students of the era.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized it in 1976.

Its intent continues to further twin goals: honoring the African-American legacy and supporting Black leadership across commercial entities that include small businesses.

For the 2023 commemoration, Visit PA recommends the The Black Reserve Bookstore in Lansdale.

The shop traces Black culture and history through curated books for audiences from toddlers to seniors. Its shelves brim with genres that include:

• Fantasies
• Moral stories
• Reference books
• General learning books
• Innovative idea books
• Picture books

Among Black-owned businesses in the coffee shops and cafés category, Visit PA gives a nod to The Tricycle Café & Bicycle Shop in Conshohocken.

Its proximity on the Schuylkill River Trail make it recommendable not only for java but for bike gear.

The complete Visit PA Black-owned businesses list is online.

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A WHYY close-up on The Tricycle Café & Bike Shop.