Pride 2025: Elliman Agents Spotlight LGBTQ+ Businesses in Their Communities
by ELLIMAN INSIDER TEAM
June 2025
In celebration of Pride Month, we asked Douglas Elliman agents from across the country to recommend favorite businesses and organizations in their markets that are owned by and/or serve members of the LGBTQ+ community. They delivered!
Check out their recommendations linked below. Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️
California
Jenica Martin, Del Mar, Calif.
Owned by an amazing wife team, Lisa and Donna, South Bark Dog Wash + Retail, in San Diego is a local spaw that I visit weekly, home of the famous blueberry facial. They also carry all the best clean food, treats, and toys for our fur babies—anything you could need for your pups and cats, they’ve got it.
Beyond their incredible products and services, Lisa and Donna and the entire family/team at South Bark are all just genuinely awesome humans, who give so much back to the community. They’re constantly involved in neighborhood events and support local animal rescues. Just yesterday, we stopped in for a pop-up photo shoot they hosted with a professional pet photographer.
Their team brings such heart to everything they do, and have been giving back to the San Diego, South Park community for almost 25 years.
Trey Alligood, Beverly Hills, Calif.
My friends Chris Spaulding and Chris Hartley own the Provincetown Brewing Co.
Florida
Ryan Robles, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
1. Cajun Bear AC Repair — Owner Ricky has been amazing. Always there to answer your call and get a team to repair your HVAC, especially in a hot weather climate!
2. Archibald’s Village Bakery — Owners Chris and Justin always offer smiles serving you local treats, coffees, and teas in Central Beach. They always make sure you’re taken care of and make you feel at home!
3. JM Home Prep — Owners Matt and Jake offer residential painting services. They’re reliable, trustworthy, and charge competitive rates. Many of my clients rave about their professionalism and great work!
Tyler Anderson, Miami, Fla.
DrYnk Bar & Lounge is a very Intimate, dimly lit venue for martinis and other classic cocktails, with a quaint, garden-style patio located in the heart of Wilton Manors.
John Greene, Wellington, Fla.
Carriage Interior Design does impactful work in the Palm Beach County market and in luxury markets in New York, Colorado, California, and Italy. Specifically in the Wellington market, they have been instrumental in creating and implementing a vision, which has allowed me to grow my business. Their attention to detail along with their emphasis on quality finishes has allowed me to set sales records for homes.
It's been an amazing collaboration, and we are always looking for the next project to showcase their talents. They have added so much value to my business and to many of the associates I work with at Douglas Elliman.
Full disclosure: I am married to the principle of this firm. His name is Marcus Schult, and he continues to add value to my business every day. You can see some of their recently completed work here. He operates a very boutique firm, which caters to UHNWI who appreciate a well thought out and curated design. Needless to say, I'm very proud of his work and even more proud to be his husband.
John Forberger, Sarasota, Fla.
I'm a big supporter of The Athlete's Room in Bradenton, a sports massage facility run by a solo operator. The little storefront is just down the road from the world-famous prep school The IMG Academy, and offers red light therapy, whole body cryotherapy, and more.
The owner, Tricia Allard, has been a licensed sports massage therapist since 2004. She helps local residents, including pro athletes from the NFL, LPGA, ATP, MLB, WTA, and MLS who train locally, professional tennis players, and IMG students. I've been going to her for a year and know she can fix anything I encounter on the pickleball courts, in the gym, or on my paddleboard!
New York City
Danielle Watson, New York City
There is a super cute boutique called Kallmeyer. The designer/owner's name is Daniella Kallmeyer, who is a member of the community. They have beautiful women's wear and suits. They're located at 83 Orchard Street and 1022 Madison Avenue.
Christopher Morales, New York City
Cafe Riazor in Chelsea offers classic Spanish food that's great, with the classic ambiance to match. David, the owner whose family started the restaurant two generations ago, is wonderful. The crowd is a diverse set of longtime Chelsea residents, art world denizens, and a new generation of younger customers. Oh, and it's a Sarah Jessica Parker favorite!
Emily Margolin, New York City
I would hands-down recommend Bluestockings Cooperative on the Lower East Side. They're worker-owned! It's a queer feminist bookstore but also hosts LGBTQ+ events and provides resources (like free food) to the community. Also their staff are the nicest humans I've ever met. You can also get a latte. What's not to like?
Bruce Wayne Solomon, New York City
Letter J, a men’s clothing store in Chelsea
Rye Myers, New York City
As someone deeply ingrained in the Broadway community—and with it a big part of my brand of who I am as an agent, with the theatre district being one of my markets—my favorite gay-owned business is SCHMACKARY’S cookies. Not only are their cookies delicious and keep the Broadway industry running and fueled up, but under the ownership of Zachary Schmahl, they are kept small and private run. They do a lot for the theatre district community and Hell’s Kitchen and put a lot of effort into their support of Broadway Cares (BCEFA).
Their cookies make people feel good and put them in happier moods. They always draw crowds out the door, and it’s a must for a post-show snack.
Ari Susswein, Bronx, NY
I am an agent who is part of the LGBTQ community and also owns a beverage company, Lemonday. It's an amazing hydrating lemon water, with prebiotics and electrolytes. We are growing around NYC and the tristate area.
In addition to being president of my local synagogue in Brooklyn, I run a WhatsApp group for the local Jewish queer community and help to create and promote Jewish queer happenings in Brooklyn and around NYC.
Timothy Drucker, New York City
Julius’, the oldest gay bar in Manhattan and still a great spot!
Terry Robison, Brooklyn, NY
I nominate SUPERFINE in DUMBO. It was the first and is still the best restaurant in the neighborhood, opening long before the area became DUMBO in capital Letters. It has been doing farm-to-table since its inception, features local artists on its large walls, has local and national live music and has been a welcoming destination for all from the day it opened. The three women who created and sustain it have been open and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community from the beginning.
Viva la SUPERFINE!
Samantha Bhatty, Brooklyn, NY
Maison 10, my good friend’s gallery/concept store in Flatiron, donates 10% of their proceeds to nonprofit organizations, many of them LGBTQ+ focused. One of the owner volunteers with Sage, which provides services and advocacy for LGBTQ+ elders, and also has a history of working in fundraising for other LGBTQ-focused organizations in the US and the UK. They also always throw an amazing drag-friendly Pride party, and they’re located half a block from where the Pride parade passes.
Jennifer Van de Kieft, Brooklyn, NY
Big Gay Ice Cream!!! Creative flavors, family-friendly—I used to take my kids all the time when they were little. Service with miles of smiles!
The Hamptons, NY
Nicole Tunick, Bridgehampton, NY
Sage & Madison, in Sag Harbor, is a beautifully curated store that also does fashion popups all summer. It’s located in a restored 1790s home. Super charming!
Long Island, NY
Raquel Knoell, Roslyn, NY
We LOVE the LGBT Network, a nonprofit organization for LGBT people, families, and communities in Long Island and Queens. My good friend is one of the head guys there!
New Jersey
Andre Leonardo Di Stefano, Fair Haven, NJ
I wanted to highlight a business here in New Jersey called Taka, a Japanese restaurant, bar, and lounge named for its owner, Takahiro Hirai. It is located in the business district of Asbury Park, a lively and vibrant community with a rich LGBTQ+ history.
Mid-Atlantic
Lyndsi Armenio, Washington DC
Would love for you all to feature our friends two bars, JaneJane and Bar Betsie. JaneJane is on 14th Street, and their newly-opened sister bar, Bar Betsie, is in Union Market. Both super hip neighborhoods in DC. Owner JP Sabatier is super personable.
Texas
Emily Waldmann, Austin, Tex.
1. Far West Collective, a design studio based in Marfa, Tex., and owned by client and friend Liz Lambert.
2. Glitter Done, owned by client and friend Bobby Johns, has outfitted the likes of Janet Jackson with his glitter cowboy hats!
3. Xavier Schipani, a talented artist and friend with a really cool online shop.
Mark Kendrick, Austin, Tex.
Cure Studios, a nail salon.
Ashley Massey, Dallas, Tex.
The Fool's Kava House, in Arlington, Tex., owned by Ashley and Mary Elaine Benton is not only the first queer- and female-owned kava bar in Texas, but it is also the oldest kava bar in Arlington and the only privately owned one in the DFW area. They offer a community of support for sober individuals and an inclusive space for all.
Talyn Provo, Dallas, Tex.
Thyme & Date charcuterie and catering. Co-owner Leon Vigil is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and he is the most driven and selfless individual I know, which is what makes him such an incredible business owner. He's extremely detail oriented, which is why his charcuterie always looks like a masterpiece.
Heather Shepherd, Houston, Tex.
My favorite is Studio A Salon in Houston, Tex., owned by my good friends David Armendariz and his husband, Jesse Gudino!
Anne Stovall, Houston, Tex.
Barnabys Café, a well-known cafe with multiple locations, is known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and diverse menu.
Koffeteria started off 2024 with a James Beard semifinalist nomination and ended it on The New York Times’ list of the 22 best bakeries in the U.S.
Kerry Wald, Houston, Tex.
George Country Sports Bar in Houston. 🌈👍
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