Louis Sherry facts for kids
Louis Sherry (born 1855 in St. Albans, Vermont, died 1926) was a famous American businessman. He was known for his fancy restaurants, catering services, and delicious candies and ice cream. His name is still connected to a well-known brand of sweets and the famous Sherry-Netherland Hotel in New York City. He lived during a time called the Gilded Age, which was a period of great wealth and change in America.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Louis Sherry was born in St. Albans, Vermont. His family had French-Canadian roots. Some stories say he started working very young as a busboy in a hotel in Montreal, Canada.
Later, he moved to New York City. He quickly became known in the restaurant world. He worked at the Hotel Brunswick and then became a restaurant manager at the Hotel Elberon in Elberon, New Jersey.
Sherry's Businesses
Opening His First Restaurant
Around 1880, Louis Sherry used $1,300 he had saved to open his first restaurant in New York City. It was located at 38th Street and Sixth Avenue. At first, the restaurant faced some challenges.
However, Sherry was very good at making places look elegant. He also offered new and special ways of serving food. This helped him gain many loyal customers, especially from "The Four Hundred". This was a term for New York City's most important and wealthy families at the time.
Growing His Restaurant Empire
Sherry's restaurant quickly became very popular. Soon, his first location was too small. He moved to a bigger, more impressive spot at 37th Street and Fifth Avenue. But even that place became too small! So, he moved his business again to an even larger location at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue.
Switching to Candies and Pastries
In 1919, a new law called Prohibition began in the United States. This law made it illegal to sell alcohol. Because of this, Louis Sherry decided to close his famous restaurant and ballroom. These places had been popular for many important social events for a long time.
Right away, Sherry started a new company called Louis Sherry Inc.. This company focused on catering events and making and selling candies and pastries. He opened a new shop for this business at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue. He also announced a partnership with the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for his candies and catering services.
The Sherry-Netherland Hotel
Even though the famous Sherry-Netherland Hotel carries his name, Louis Sherry himself was not directly involved in building it. The original Netherland Hotel was bought in 1924 to be changed into shops and apartments.
The "new" Netherland Hotel was almost finished in March 1927. This was nearly a year after Louis Sherry had passed away. At that time, Louis Sherry Inc. (the company he founded) bought the hotel through a smaller company. By then, the company was controlled by other business leaders who also owned the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Personal Interests
Louis Sherry loved horses and riding them. He was also very knowledgeable about wines. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.
