Melanie Lemieux, The Baroness
Did you know that New York City has the highest number of women entrepreneurs in our neighborhoods? According to New York City Small Business Services, women across the five boroughs employ over 190,000 people and generate approximately $50 billion in sales. This month, we’re proud to present our annual Women’s issue—dedicated to all the innovative women chefs, food entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, bakers, mixologists and more who help feed the borough everyday.
Coinciding with the print issue (you’ll be able to pick up a copy soon!), every weekday throughout the month of May, we’re featuring a different Queens woman in the food industry. From Flushing’s dumpling maestro Helen You, to Long Island City’s Brazilian baker, Daniela Martins-Schwarzbauer and Last Dragon Pizza’s Nicole Russell in Rockaway, each woman reflects the diverse and independent spirit of Queens. Oh, and did we mention that our woman-owned magazine produced this women’s issue with a team of all-women writers, photographers, illustrators, designers and editors (save for our photo editor, Ed Lefkowicz)? No big deal.
Melanie Lemieux, The Baroness
This Montreal expat and trained sommelier is quickly becoming the grand dame of Dutch Kills, as well as larger Long Island City. In 2014 Melanie Lemieux opened The Baroness, a highly atmospheric 19th century France–inspired bar, where bartenders use swords to saber Champagne bottles open. Lemieuxs’ Queens establishments have proven as diverse as her resume. Making use of a master’s in singing, as well as past stints with Cirque du Soleil and the United Service Organizations’ Liberty Bells, she also spearheaded New York Stage of Mind—a 2,000-square-foot performance-based education center in Long Island City, which offers singing, dancing and acting classes.
