Melba Wilson, the dynamic owner and founder of Melba’s restaurants, has established herself as a prominent figure in the New York City dining scene, building a legacy that extends far beyond Harlem.
Her journey, detailed in theGrio’s series “Black Made,” highlights the passion, perseverance, and challenges she faced as a Black woman in the competitive restaurant industry.
Wilson’s love for using food to bring people together, combined with her deep commitment to her community, has made Melba’s one of the premier dining destinations in New York City.
Since opening the first Melba’s in Harlem in 2005, Wilson has successfully expanded her brand, with new locations across the city and beyond. In 2022, she launched Melba’s at Wollman Rink in Central Park, followed by a location at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center in 2023.
The growth continues with Melba’s Grand Central set to open in October 2024, and a second Newark site planned for 2025.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Wilson shared with theGrio how unimaginable her success seemed at the outset.
“If you had told me in 2004 that I would be the sole owner of four businesses, I would’ve said ‘No,’” she said. “I could have never even dreamed that all of this would have happened.“
Despite her success, Wilson candidly describes the challenges of being a restaurateur, particularly as a Black woman in Harlem.
“First of all, it’s one thing to work in a restaurant. It’s a whole other-other thing to own one and to own a restaurant in Harlem, and to be a Black woman in a restaurant in Harlem,” she noted.
Wilson started her first restaurant with $312,000, a sum she quickly realized was insufficient for the ambitious goals she had set. Beyond financial challenges, she faced difficulties in hiring staff who shared her vision of comfort and hospitality.
“People are going to come in here and think, ‘OK, you’re a Black girl from Harlem, where’s the cornbread?’ I have one oven. There is no cornbread,” she explained.
Despite the hurdles, Wilson’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering. She acknowledges that the expectations placed on her are higher than those on larger chains, but she refuses to let that deter her.
“I’m not here to complain. I’m here to always give it my best,” she affirmed.
Through her resilience and dedication, Melba Wilson has not only built a successful business but also cemented her legacy as a culinary icon, inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.
