Pensacola, FL – Five Sisters’ Blues Café, a cherished cornerstone of Pensacola’s culinary and cultural scene, proudly announces the completion of its recent renovations, made possible through the National Historic Trust for Preservation’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program made possible by American Express. The unveiling marks a new chapter for this iconic establishment, which has been serving up soulful flavors and rich history since its inception.
“We are incredibly honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the Historic Black Restaurants Grant,” said Jean Pierre N’Dione, co-owner of Five Sisters’ Blues Café. “This support has allowed us to preserve the legacy of our restaurant while enhancing the experience for our guests. These renovations honor our history while preparing us for a bright future.”
The renovations include refurbishment of the marquee sign located on the historic corner of Belmont and DeVilliers streets, relocation and installation of a new main entrance along with ADA compliant ramp, lighting and awning, mural creation and lighting installation on the east side of the building commemorating Ray Charles, one of the many entertainers who performed in the neighborhood during the Chitlin’ Circuit era.
The enhancements were designed to maintain the café’s authentic charm while preserving the historic neighborhood, providing our community opportunities for connection. Five Sisters’ Blues Café has long been a beacon of Pensacola’s Black heritage, celebrated for its soulful Southern cuisine, live blues performances and deep community roots. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the five sisters who inspired its founding, representing family, resilience, and a love of good food.
The Historic Black Small Restaurants Grant, part of American Express’ broader commitment to supporting Black businesses, recognizes the cultural and historical significance of establishments like Five Sisters’ Blues Café. By providing financial support, the program aims to preserve the stories and contributions of Black restaurants across the nation.
To celebrate the renovations, Five Sisters’ Blues Café is presenting a month-long celebration of Black History Month by featuring culinary innovators who, through their contributions to the food industry, changed the landscape of the culinary world. Innovators include Thomas Downing: The Oyster King of New York, Leah Chase: The Queen of Creole Cuisine, Edna Lewis: The Grand Dame of Southern Cooking, John Young: Buffalo’s Wing King, and Nathan “Nearest” Green: The Original Jack Daniels. We will have special bands, drink specials and features throughout the month all reflections of the cafes’ journey.
“This is more than just a renovation for us,” said co-owner Collier Merrill, “It’s a celebration of our past, a thank-you to our community, and a promise to continue serving as a gathering place for generations to come.”
For full information, please visit www.fivesistersbluescafe.com.
To see the full list of grant recipients and learn more about this year’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants grantees, please visit https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, X.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
In addition to funds provided through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, American Express has provided more than $30 million to preserve historic places in the U.S. through its partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation since 1993.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic sites, tell the full American story, build stronger communities, and invest in preservation’s future. SavingPlaces.org | @savingplaces
ABOUT FIVE SISTERS’ BLUES CAFÉ
Five Sisters Blues’ Cafe, located at 421 West Belmont on the corner of Belmont and DeVilliers, is a restaurant built on some of Pensacola’s deepest history right in the heart of historic downtown Pensacola. The reconstruction of the old Gussie’s Record Shop heralds the reawakening of the old Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood. Featuring Southern cuisine, Five Sisters offers daily blackboard and house specialties and live blues music Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, please call 850-912-4856 or visit our website, www.fivesistersbluescafe.com.