WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — During Black History Month, we're highlighting Black-owned businesses that bring great things to Central Georgia.
If you're looking for a sweet treat while shopping at the Galleria Mall in Centerville, this shop has something for you.
12-year-old Christi and 14-year-old Josh Westbrook are the young owners of Brownbrook Market. They have a stall at the Galleria Mall where they sell all kinds of treats.
Their wares include cakes, treat bars, freeze-dried candy, loose-leaf tea, saltwater taffy, candles, lollipops and more.
"Josh has asked about starting something for a while and Christi the same, she just kind of jumped on that bandwagon and during COVID, we just had the time and we decided to do something and I'm super proud of them," their mom Kennthia said.
The siblings begged their parents to let them start a business and have been steadily growing it. All the money they make goes toward their college fund and to select charities.
Currently, they are running a food drive, and have donation boxes stationed around the mall for people to donate.
"I think it's good because we learn a lot about responsibility and how to deal with our money and we have to take risks and stuff with our business," Christi said.
However, it's not all business. The siblings say they have fun too.
"The fun part is that we get to sell products that we make on our own so we get to keep going up and up and help people enjoy our products. Another fun part is being able to have money as well," Josh said.
When they first started, their mom (who Christi says has a sweet tooth), showed the siblings a few simple treats they could make themselves. Now, they have several unique items lining their shelves.
BrownBrook Market also sells items from other small businesses. Their mom says they care a lot about the community and want to use the business to give back and help others.
"It's very important to us that it's not just us doing something, but we know how difficult it is, in the small business, so we try to empower each other," Kennthia said.
The shirts the family wears during business hours say their items are "made with love."
"I think what's special about it is all of us doing it as a family, and even our dad helps out sometimes, but he mostly has work. But we all help out at the markets sometimes we'll all go and I just think it's fun to do with our family," Christ said.
If you want to know more about Brownbrook Market you can check them out on their website and their Facebook page.