- The backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance was Prohibition.
There were over 500 speakeasies here.
- Wait a minute,
we had just as many speakeasies in Harlem,
as present day we do churches?
- Exactly.
My name is Tren'ness Woods-Black,
Harlem's queen of hospitality
and the grand daughter of Sylvia Woods,
the Queen of Soul Food.
Over the past 25 years,
I've made my mark in the culinary world as an entrepreneur,
philanthropist, and event curator.
My heart has always been in Harlem.
So, I'll be sitting down for a one-on-one conversation
with local culinary voices to find out where they started,
how they're building for the future,
and their deep ties to our beloved village.
- 67 Orange interview. Take one.
- Oh my Goodness. Hey.
- How's it going? Good to see you.
You look stunning.
I love the African queen here too.
- Thank you. You know, just repping for the culture today.
- Yeah.
- OK, so obviously I know this very distinguished
handsome person sitting across from me,
but tell us who you are.
- My name is Karl Franz Williams and I am the owner
of 67 Orange Street in Harlem.
We're a speakeasy cocktail bar, mixology style.
We've been open now about 13 years, believe it or not.
So, I know that the name is a little, you know,
quirky people are like 67 Orange Street?
I never heard of a 67 Orange Street in Harlem.
Well, it's actually a lot of history behind that name.
It was the last known address of Almack's Dance Hall.
It was one of the first black owned bars in Five Points,
which, you know, kind of a precursor to Harlem.
It was the first free black neighborhood in New York city.
And so, what really defined this bar was the impact it had.
So politicians, wealthy people,
they didn't go to Five Points for very much else
because it was considered, you know, a slum, right?
- Yeah.
- But they came down to go to this bar.
So, when I heard that story,
I wanted to bring that energy into what I was doing.
- And that's a one thing that always stands out to me.
I felt like I had stepped into a, you know, a time warp
and I was right back in the Harlem Renaissance.
- That was a lot of what I wanted to tap into legacy
and history and being in Harlem in particular,
I think that's really important.
- Before 67 Orange,
there was no such thing uptown that you could go to,
a place that you can patronize and get craft cocktails.
And then what was really a game changer for me,
is how you integrated everything so thoughtfully.
From your bartenders, not only their talent,
but their uniform with the dapper attire,
the suspenders and everything.
- I'm really proud of the impact that 67 has had,
both on the economy of Harlem and on the culture of Harlem.
- So let's talk a little bit about how we met
and grew to be great friends
and co-founded Harlem Park to Park together.
- I mean, so Harlem, Park to Park officially,
we're a merchants organization that celebrates
the culture and commerce of Harlem.
We make sure that as a community of businesses here,
we have programs that support and promote,
that provide recognition and opportunity,
and then beyond that,
we're also providing support directly for the businesses
in terms of opportunities,
in terms of education and training.
You know, there were nine of us then,
there's over 250 of us now,
and the organization has done amazing things.
You and I continue to work closely as,
as members of the, of the board.
So. I'm really proud of that.
But a part of that is, is that idea of community.
And the fact that we recognize that, that,
that we are stronger as one.
- I think that's just a true example
of Harlemites commitment to taking care of Harlemites.
What's the future? What's the next 15-20 look like?
- I'm exploring other, other opportunities right now
in terms of opening some new places.
I do have another bar called The Anchor,
which is in New Haven, which is also doing really great,
but I also developed a ginger beer,
while I was at another bar that I have that since closed,
And I was like, why not commercialize?
And the response has been amazing.
It's called Uncle Waithley's "Vincy" Brew.
The thing that's super cool about it
is that we have scotch bonnet pepper in there,
so the only ginger beer on the market with that
and we'll be in whole foods in October.
But, you know, I think for 67 Orange,
we're committed to this neighborhood and to Harlem
and making great drinks, and creating great experiences,
and stories for the long term.
- Well, listen, one thing is for sure,
you definitely have been at the cornerstone
of some of my most epic nightcaps,
so kudos and much congratulations
on the ginger beer.
I really appreciate you brother.
- Thanks for having me.
- Cornbread hugs.