Spotlighting Black-Owned Atlantic City Businesses That Stood the Test of Time

During Black History Month 2026, the City of Atlantic City’s Economic Development Division recognized two local Black-owned businesses whose combined legacy spans more than a century.

Greenidge Funeral Homes, Inc.

Founded in 1962 by Joseph F. Greenidge and Carolyn Greenidge, Greenidge Funeral Homes was established during a time when much of the funeral industry, like many sectors, remained segregated. Starting on Arctic Avenue and now located at Absecon Boulevard and Delaware Avenue, the Greenidge family built their business with their own savings when traditional financing options were out of reach. When expansion funds proved difficult to secure, they found other paths forward, guided by resilience and determination.

Proudly African American–owned and family-operated, the funeral home has grown into a trusted provider serving families of all races and religions for more than six decades. Today, their son, Joe Greenidge, manages the business as a licensed funeral director, continuing the legacy his parents began.

Joe Greenidge remains optimistic about the city’s future, calling Atlantic City a land of opportunity for businesses. He notes that Black-owned businesses have long contributed to the city’s growth and success. Among his proudest accomplishments is purchasing a larger property to support the funeral home’s expansion.

Recognized and respected throughout the city, Greenidge encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs to believe in themselves. His message is simple yet powerful: if you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. And if given the chance to start over, he says he would choose Atlantic City again.

Dave's Auto Body

For 38 years, David Dixon has run Dave’s Auto Body on Fairmount Avenue with integrity and heart. A proud graduate of Atlantic City High School and a veteran, Dixon built not only a thriving business but also lasting trust within the Ducktown neighborhood and beyond.

Like many entrepreneurs, Dixon faced early challenges, particularly securing the financing needed to start his own shop. Yet he persevered, guided by advice from a mentor who told him he has to be better than good and work harder than everyone else. Those words became a blueprint for success.

Over nearly four decades, Dave’s Auto Body has earned a reputation for outstanding work at reasonable prices, delivered with honesty and respect. For Dixon, longevity itself is his greatest professional accomplishment, especially while raising a family and remaining deeply rooted in the community that supported him from the beginning.

He describes keeping his business thriving for nearly four decades as a dream come true and credits perseverance and community support for making it possible. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs echoes his own journey: follow your dream and surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

As Atlantic City continues to grow and evolve, these two Black-owned businesses stand as powerful examples of what vision, hard work, and community support can achieve.

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