An impressive gathering including actress and talk show host Sherri Shepherd, New York City diversity czar Michael Garner, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, New York Christian Times publisher Rev. Dennis Dillon, and Councilman Yusef Salaam joined celebrity chef and restaurateur Melba Wilson for the official grand opening of Melba’s in Grand Central Station in New York City.
The second busiest train terminal in North America – second to New York’s Penn Station – and one of the most frequented tourist destinations, Melba’s made history by becoming the first Black-owned business to have such a coveted spot in the national historic landmark.
“This is good news and great progress that during this Black History Month, we are standing here making history by inaugurating the very first Black-owned business in one of the world’s busiest spots,” shared Michael Garner, the Chief Diversity Officer for the City of New York.
Garner, who formerly worked with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), was instrumental in helping to create the pathway for Melba’s, a growing restaurant brand that first opened in Harlem 20 years ago. The restaurant has expanded with new locations opening at JFK Airport, Central Park, and the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Founded in Harlem by the vivacious Melba Wilson, Melba’s Restaurant first opened its doors in 2005 and is well regarded as the premier comfort food destination in the New York region. Over the years, the restaurant has hosted many celebrities, including Prince Harry and his wife Megan, the duchess of Sussex, Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Whoopi Goldbert, Katie Couric, and Ice-T, to name a few.
Wilson, the niece of the late Sylvia Woods, founder of Sylvia’s Restaurant, recalls her years working at her aunt’s restaurant and saving every dollar she could some that she would one day start her own business. “Born, bred and buttered” in Harlem, Wilson was deliberate to stay close to home and provide an elegant yet comfortable dining experience in the community that raised her.
“A dream is only a dream until you have the people to help execute it. “I want to thank all the people who helped to make this a reality,” Ms. Wilson expressed. Referring to the Gand Central store as one of Garner’s MTA legacy projects, Wilson thanked him for believing in her and thanked funding institutions TrueFund and Carver Bank, as well as key supporters including actor Robert DeNiro, her friend actress Sherri Shepherd, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and supporting clergy leaders Rev. Johnny Green, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Rev. Denis Dillon.
“It’s never about me – it’s about we,” Ms. Wilson confirmed.
MELBA’S Grand Central
Grand Central Terminal – Food Hall, Lower Level
89 East 42nd Street, New York, NY
MELBA’S Harlem (Original)
300 W. 114th Street, New York, NY 212-864-7777
