WS Chronicle

A lot has changed in downtown Winston-Salem over the years – old tobacco factories have been transformed into luxury apartments and retail spaces, and dozens of businesses have come and gone. But some things have withstood the winds of change: for the past two decades Body and Soul has been serving the community from the same location on Trade Street, in the heart of the Arts District. 

Body and Soul, which is owned and operated by Dana Suggs, is four stores in one. It features a boutique, a skincare section, a bookstore that focuses on Black authors, and an art gallery. Suggs, who is a native of Queens, New York, moved to Winston-Salem in the early ‘90s with her husband Michael Suggs. When the couple opened the store in 2003, Suggs said she was thinking about moving back to New York City, but she decided to bring a piece of New York to Winston-Salem instead.

Suggs said if she would’ve made the move back to New York, she never would’ve opened a store “because I would’ve already had access to all of this,” Suggs explained. Still to this day, it’s rare to be able to walk inside a brick and mortar store and purchase Black skincare products, or books and paintings by Black authors and artists. There were even fewer options in 2003. 

Suggs wanted to fill that void.

“I was tired of waiting for homecoming and different Black events when vendors would come by to purchase these products, and people who knew I was from New York would tell me I should open a store all the time because I had access to these things,” Suggs said. “And then after two years of procrastination, I put together a business plan and that’s how we started.”

While Body and Soul is known for its unique clothing and jewelry, and the 14 different types of soaps, the store is probably most known for its customer service. Every customer who walks in the door is greeted with a smile and offered water. Suggs said she prides herself on creating a welcoming atmosphere and being knowledgeable about the products in the store to assist customers. 

“That’s something that I really like to stress is our customer service. People will tell you about that all the time. I like to say we’re here to serve but not in a traditional way; we’re here to serve knowledge and truth about these products,” Suggs said. “We need to be educated and knowledgeable about what we are offering so our customers feel good about their decision to shop with us.”

As you could imagine, over the years Body and Soul has gained countless regular customers. Probably the most well-known Body and Soul regular was the late Dr. Maya Angelou, who lived in Winston-Salem for over 30 years. Suggs said on most days when Dr. Angelou was in the store, other customers wouldn’t even recognize her.

“I would get a kick out of it because a lot of people wouldn’t even recognize her … and you know why? Because she didn’t come in with her ball gown on and rubies and diamonds. She looked just like our aunties, hair wrapped to the side, regular top, just out shopping,” Suggs said. 

Suggs said over the years she built an amazing relationship with Dr. Angelou. She mentioned that Dr. Angelou always made sure that her book was available for customers, but she was also very supportive of local authors who had books in the bookstore. 

“I always had to have her book in there because you never know when she’s coming, but you better make sure her book is in there,” Suggs laughed. “And then she would say to me, ‘Are there any local authors in here?’ and I would pull them out and she would buy every one. She was always giving back time, money, and lessons. I still take joy in the relationship we built over the years.”

When discussing her 20-year anniversary, Suggs said it’s been exciting to see customers who have been coming to the store for years now, come in with their grandchildren. 

“I have lots of grandmas and now their children and their grandchildren come in and that makes me feel good because they all want to be here and because of the lessons that it’s teaching our young people and supporting Black-owned businesses,” Suggs said. 

The old saying goes, “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life,” and for Suggs that statement is true. Suggs said it doesn’t even feel like she’s been around 20 years. 

“It feels maybe like ten,” Suggs said. “I still get up every day and I can’t wait to get here, be here, share, lift me up, lift others.” 

Body and Soul is located at 545 Trade Street. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 336-723-7685 or visit www.bodyandsoulncstore.com.