Herbert & Sylvia Woods

Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem, located at 328 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY, is owned by the Woods family which consists of Herbert and Sylvia Woods, their four children - Van, Bedelia, Kenneth, Crizette and a third generation of grandchildren.

The entire family and a great group of employees have worked together to make Sylvia's a world famous African-American owned business.

Sylvia's is where you can actually meet people of many nationalities and cultures from around the world.

Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem was established in 1962 with a seating capacity of 35 people. Today, Sylvia's occupies most of a city block with a seating capacity of 450 people.

The restaurant, catering and banquet facilities are managed by Herbert, Sylvia, Bedelia, Kenneth and Crizette, their faithful Manager and family friend, Clarence Cooper and a host of great staff some of whom have been with Sylvia's for man years.

Sylvia's son, Van Woods, has led the family on an aggressive expansion since the early 1980s with the acquisition and development of real estate for the expansion of Sylvia's Restaurant.

In 1992, Van launched a line of Sylvia's Soulfood products. The line consists of Sylvia's world famous all-purpose sauces, pre-seasoned vegetables, spices, syrup, cornbread and pancake mixes and several other items. Sylvia's packaged food is distributed nationally.

With the help of some great investors like, JP Morgan, Sylvia's was able to open its second restaurant in Atlanta, GA in 1997. Sylvia's of Atlanta is located at 241 Central Avenue across from City Hall.

Sylvia has had two cookbooks published by William Morrow Company.

Sylvia's Soul Food Cookbook, published 1992

Sylvia's Family Soul Food Cookbook, published 1999

A children's book on Sylvia called, Growing Up Sylvia, written by Brenda Woods will be published in 2000.

Sylvia's family recently launched a line of Beauty products for Hair and Skin care. Sylvia's beauty products consist of two brands: (1) Sylvia's Beauty and Soul Products; hair and skin products, (2) African Vision Products; hair and skin products with shea butter and black soap.

When Sylvia and Herbert are asked about the secret of their success; they are quick to answer: Love; Family and Hard Work; Love of God; Love of Family; Love of Friends, Customers, and Love of Work.

Sylvia and Herbert met in a bean field when they were eleven and twelve years old, respectively. It was love at first sight. They went to the same school and church. February 2000, Herbert and Sylvia celebrated 57 years of marriage.

After finishing their education and while Herbert was in the U.S. Navy, they got married in 1943. Before World War II was over they began a family that led to four children and the rest is history, still in the making.

home | about us | events | hall of fame | business info | links | help

All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2008 Blackentrepreneurship.com
Phone: 832-830-3310

Website Design Powered by: Website Design Houston