1915-2001
Amealia Steward owned Steward’s Restaurant and later redesigned Peppermint Lounge. She was a self-made millionaire. “She was our queen in the city said Mayor James, “She had wealth, beauty and fame.” Steward’s Restaurant first opened in 1949 on Prince Street and later moved to Avon Ave.
Black Mirror News wrote, “When most people become wealthy or prosperous they tend to become cranky and very disappointing to their friends and patrons. Mrs. Steward was never like that. She was always quiet and stern and gave solid business advice to the young and old, male and female.”
Amealia was also on the board of City National Bank and a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church. Born in Georgia, she moved to Newark with her family in 1938. She lived at 247 Prince and previously on Spring St.
Her name is often mispelled “Amelia Steward” or “Amelia Stewart” but is Amealia Steward. She lived at 108 Bailey Ave in Hillside at the time of her death and was known for her stylish house and cars.
Bibliography
Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse.
Tiny Prince Collection and Al Henderson Collection, Newark Library, Photos
Biographical Sketches, Barbara J Kukla Papers, Newark Library
Kukla, Barbara J. “City Mourns Loss of Many Leaders, Educators and Young Victims” Dec 27, 2001
Picture from City Bank Ad October 7, 1980 Star Ledger
“Amaelia Steward, Newark Restaurateur” Star Ledger Sept 29, 2001
