Rep. Gillen visits Baldwin’s Soft Sips to highlight the growing impact of Black-owned small businesses during National Black Business Month

Baldwin, New York – Congresswoman Laura Gillen visited Soft Sips in Baldwin to recognize National Black Business Month and learn more about the story behind the Black-owned small business and its place in the local community.

During her visit, Gillen toured the business and met with co-owners Domonique Louis-Charles and Shannon Newkirk-Denny. The meeting gave the congresswoman an opportunity to hear directly from the owners about the challenges and experiences that came with starting their business, as well as the role Soft Sips has taken on in Nassau County.

The visit also highlighted the broader importance of small businesses in local communities. For Gillen, the stop at Soft Sips was a chance to recognize the work of entrepreneurs who are building businesses while creating places where residents can gather and connect.

“It was wonderful to visit Soft Sips and see the incredible community and space that Domonique and Shannon have built in Baldwin,” said Rep. Gillen. “I’m proud to see more entrepreneurs starting businesses on Long Island, and I’ll continue fighting in Washington to support them and help their businesses thrive.”

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Louis-Charles, who grew up in Baldwin, said having Gillen visit the business was especially meaningful because of her connection to the local community and her interest in supporting small and minority-owned businesses.

“As a Baldwin native and small business owner in the community that helped shape me, it means so much to welcome Congresswoman Laura Gillen to Soft Sips,” said Domonique Louis-Charles. “I deeply appreciate leaders who recognize the importance of investing in and advocating for small and minority-owned businesses. I admire Congresswoman Gillen’s commitment to our local business community, and I’m incredibly grateful that she took the time to visit Soft Sips, learn more about our story, and, of course, enjoy a taste of what we’ve created. Soft Sips was built to be more than a coffee shop, it was created to be a space for community, connection, and opportunity right here in Baldwin.”

The owners described Soft Sips as more than a place to purchase coffee, emphasizing its goal of providing a welcoming setting for people in Baldwin. The business has become part of the community while reflecting the personal experiences of its owners.

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Gillen’s visit to Soft Sips is part of a series of stops at local businesses as she continues to meet with entrepreneurs and learn about their needs. Previously, she visited two other small businesses, Fresh Fizz and the Frippery.

At Fresh Fizz, Gillen discussed the operations of the growing national company, while her conversation at the Frippery focused on the needs of local boutiques and how she could support them through her work in Congress.

Together, the visits reflect Gillen’s efforts to stay connected with business owners in the area and better understand the issues facing entrepreneurs. The Soft Sips visit, held during National Black Business Month, placed a particular focus on the contributions of Black-owned businesses and their role in the Nassau County community.