These days, a mask covers Theodore’s
smile when he greets customers, but he makes sure they hear the welcome in his voice. His business plan is upbeat and straightforward: “Just keep the door open, and I know we will make it. Definitely.”
He and his wife—the co-founder and namesake of Sylvia’s Café—made it through COVID-19 in 2020, and they’re getting through 2021. It helps that some of the people driving along 27th Avenue have more income than they used to. Since 2018, starting pay at the nearby Amazon fulfillment center has been $15 an hour (more than double the U.S. federal minimum wage).
Federal
Min. Wage
$7.25
Florida
Min. Wage
$8.65
Amazon
Starting Pay
$15.00
When it’s time to count the till at the end of the day, the boost from Amazon’s nationwide $15/hr minimum starting wage shows up in communities around the country. With its more than 1,000 Amazon jobs, Opa-locka is part of that.
Meanwhile, local efforts are underway to fuel a broader comeback in Opa-locka. This includes plans for an Innovation District and for revitalizing housing located in former barracks near Amazon. “People here have a lot of fortitude to keep on going,” Theodore said. “Opa-locka is a prime example of what’s going on in America today. Everybody put together is trying to make it work.”
Next Story
Previous Story
“People here have a lot of fortitude to keep on going,” Theodore said. “Opa-locka is a prime example of what’s going on in America today. Everybody put together is trying to make it work.”
Standing by his smoker, savoring island aromas that promise deliciousness to every passerby, François Theodore looks out at the approaching vehicles on 27th Avenue Northwest in Opa-locka, Florida. He’s hopeful that enough drivers will steer into his parking lot, order up, and continue to carry his business through this pandemic.
“I don’t deal in fear," he said.
"I roll with the punches.”
“Here at Sylvia’s, they have food that’s prepared fresh every day. So that $15/hr definitely does better for me in my life.” Good food is just part of that: “With the extra money that I make with Amazon, I’m able to take care of my mom and take care of bills that piled up during the pandemic,” Nelson said.
Amazon has invested $9.5 billion in the Sunshine State including infrastructure and compensation
$9.5 billion
Amazon employs 8,000 people in South Florida
8,000
All Amazon Employee’s earn a
minimum of $15/hr
$15/hr
His business plan is upbeat and straightforward:
"Just keep the door open, and I know we will make it. Definitely." He and his wife—the co-founder and namesake of Sylvia's Café—made it through COVID-19 in 2020, and they're getting through 2021.
Watch Now
- Pryse Elam
14124-A NW 27th Ave,
Opa-locka, FL 33054
Sylvia’s Café
Miami
Nelly Nelson, an Amazon employee who stopped by Sylvia's to pick up jerk chicken on a recent evening, said she's been able to afford
better food choices since she left behind a lower-paying job at a home improvement store. "Instead of going to fast food, I'm able to eat
better, eat healthier," she said.
Scroll down for the story
Meanwhile, local efforts are underway to fuel a broader comeback in Opa-locka. This includes plans for an Innovation District and for revitalizing housing located in former barracks near Amazon. The owners of Sylvia’s Café are hopeful. “People here have a lot of fortitude to keep on going,” Theodore said. “Opa-locka is a prime example of what’s going on in America today. Everybody put together is trying to make it work.”
There’s “a true dream come true” happening on land whose potential went untapped “for literally decades,” said Pryse Elam, chief investment officer of Foundry Commercial, the firm that partnered with the Carrie Meek Foundation to develop the business park where Amazon’s 2.4-million-square-foot Opa-locka fulfillment center is located.
“Working with Amazon has transformed this once permanently fallow land into one of the largest single job creators to have ever occurred in Miami-Dade County” - Pryse Elam, chief investment officer of Foundry Commercial
Watch the full video
In case you missed it
A mom-and-pop restaurant faces the pandemic
Amazon employees show up for Sylvia's
Once we increased our starting wage to $15 an hour, the positive impact on employee morale and retention—and the surge in job applicants—was immediate.
"Once we increased our starting wage to $15/hour, the positive impact on employee morale and retention—and the surge in job applicants—was immediate."
$15 better
Amazon's impact in Florida
A community on the rise
- Jay Carney, SVP Amazon Global Corporate Affairs
Read more about why Amazon supports raising the federal minimum wage
Meet some of Amazon’s neighbors in Miami who have experienced the positive ripple effects of increasing our starting wage to $15/hr in 2018.
Rising Tide: Tasting Success
Amazon has invested $9.5 billion in the Sunshine State including infrastructure and compensation
$9.5 billion
Amazon employs 8,000 people in South Florida
8,000
All Amazon employees earn a minimum of $15/hr
$15/hr
Share this story
“Amazon is a big deal for this neighborhood,” said Sylvia’s Café co-owner Sylvia Burke. “Not only me, but the gas station, the whole road, all the businesses in the neighborhood.” Burke rattled off signs of progress she’s seen near the restaurant and around town. “We’ve seen a lot of improvement—with the road, with the
bus, with the train station.” Her husband and
co-owner added, “Opa-locka is a prime example of what’s going on in America today. Everybody put together is trying to make it work.