In the heart of Brooklyn, where culture and commerce constantly collide, Fifi Bell-Clanton and Gwendolyn Woods have built more than a restaurant; they’ve built a coastal sanctuary. Since its launch in 2014, The Crabby Shack has evolved from a niche seafood spot into a borough institution.
For Women’s History Month, The Source caught up with the duo to discuss their bold transition from the heights of the music and fashion industries to the fast-paced world of hospitality and retail.
From the A-List to the Kitchen
Before they were the “Queens of Crab,” Fifi and Gwen were architects of celebrity culture. Fifi was a premier stylist for icons like Alicia Keys and Usher, while Gwen spent over twenty years in A&R at Bad Boy and Arista Records.
“One of the biggest superpowers we carried over from working with celebrities is vision,” the duo shared. “Being able to see something before everyone else does and trusting it enough to bring it to life.”
That vision manifested in signature dishes that have garnered a cult following, including the Clobster Roll (a half-crab, half-lobster masterpiece) and their Alaskan crab legs bathed in a secret signature beer sauce. Their success at their flagship location soon led to high-profile concessions at the Barclays Center and the US Open, where they debuted their fried-chicken concept, Side Piece.
Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
Transitioning into the culinary world presented a new set of challenges, particularly as Black women in an industry often gatekept by men.
“Being in a male-dominated industry just made us sharper,” they explained. “We learned quickly that we had to know our stuff. Our focus has always been on showing up prepared, delivering consistently, and letting the work speak first. When you execute at a high level—whether it’s in your neighborhood or on a stage like the US Open—people respect results.”
Their creative process remains collaborative and “vibe-focused.” Whether developing the Zesty Lemon Pepper Hot Sauce for their retail line or a new menu item, they trust their individual lanes while challenging each other to ensure the result is undeniable.
A Foundation of Community
Despite their expansion into supermarket channels and a direct-to-consumer retail line (with over 60,000 units of their hot sauce sold), Fifi and Gwen remain deeply rooted in Brooklyn. Gwen serves as the President of the local merchants association, and the pair prioritizes local hiring and neighborhood food donations.
“For us, it was never just about opening a business; it was about being part of something bigger,” they said. “We come from the community we serve, so it was important that our success also created opportunities for the people around us. Local hiring isn’t optional—it’s the foundation.”
Advice for the Next Generation
As mentors to aspiring female founders, Fifi and Gwen are candid about what it takes to scale a brand without losing its soul. Their primary advice? Master the “business behind the product.”
“Passion gets you started, but structure is what gets you into stores and keeps you there. Also, protect your story. What makes your product special isn’t just the flavor—it’s you. Don’t water that down to fit into retail.”
A Lasting Legacy
As they look toward the future, the founders of The Crabby Shack hope their story serves as a blueprint for young women watching from the sidelines.
“When someone tastes our hot sauce or walks into The Crabby Shack, we want them to feel resilience, creativity, and home all at once,” they concluded. “Our story is about turning limited resources into something powerful and making space where we weren’t always invited. We want the next generation to know that their background and their voice are more than enough to build something lasting.”