Power Lunches: When Wall Street Came to Dine
The Oyster House stood near Wall Street, attracting a powerful clientele. Bankers, brokers, and merchants from the financial district crowded in for saddle rock and blue point oysters. Politicians cut deals over plates of shellfish. Office seekers treated Thomas Downing with striking respect. Location mattered. By establishing the Oyster House near Wall Street, the Downings positioned themselves at the center of power. Their customers weren't just eating—they were networking, negotiating, and making decisions that shaped the city and nation. Thomas Downing understood something important: proximity to power creates opportunity. His white customers needed him. They loved his oysters, relied on his service, and returned again and again. This gave the Downings leverage—and cover for their more dangerous work.
Here's where the story gets remarkable. The Downings and most of their customers shared a commitment to abolition. The Oyster House served as a New York City stop on the Underground Railroad, helping runaways from the South reach freedom in northern states and Canada. Think about this: a Black-owned restaurant, serving the city's white elite, secretly facilitating escape from slavery. The same space where politicians discussed business also sheltered people fleeing bondage. The Downings used their success as camouflage for resistance. Today, sanctuary churches and community organizations operate similarly. They provide essential services openly while quietly protecting vulnerable people. The Downings pioneered this strategy 200 years ago.