HarlemLIVE

The Sugar Shack cafe isn't an ordinary restaurant which is noticeable upon entering. When asked why, manager Monique Sucko said, "It's a different setting as far as the decor. Aside from that the cafe has a very comfortable home like feeling."
The Sugar Shack was started by a twenty seven year old African-American male named Odel Holland Fincher, who opened the cafe in early 1998. It is one of many new businesses in the area, signifying what many see as a new Harlem Renaissance.

When the Sugar Shack started out, it mainly had a cafe style menu, which consisted of appetizers, pizzas, no dinner except for Specials. After a while people made suggestions to put more soul food in the menu. As months past, chicken, beef ribs, collard greens, yams, etc. were added .
Now they have more varieties of food for people to eat in a cafe.

The Sugar Shack is more than a place to eat, it also provides live entertainment. The Cafe has poetry readings Wednesday nights and every other Thursday. The poetry is open mic on Wednesdays, meaning anyone and everyone is welcome to share their poetry. On Thursdays organizations such as Collard Green Corn Bread and Poetry come together for poetry readings. Friday and Saturdays are Jazz nights which attract a standing room capacity crowd.

Closeup and personalMonique was a great interviewee and we asked for advice for the kids of Harlem. She stated "I feel as though children should use their intellect and be respected. I think the youth are an investment in the future doing things that are positive." She went on to say that whatever we want to do can be done.