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Framed photos of jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis, along with Syracuse University all-time greats Carmelo Anthony and Ernie Davis, line the walls of OnaJava Soul Cafe. Patrons sip on Costa Rican coffee as hums of chatter and banter radiate through the neo soul-style coffee shop.

“A place where somebody can come through and relax, listen to some jazz, listen to some music no matter what it is and feel safe and comfortable,” Reginald Pickard, owner of OnaJava, said.

OnaJava opened last October and is a family-owned and operated coffee shop on South Salina Street in Syracuse. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch and, of course, coffee. The shop specializes in different flavored Costa Rican coffee, lattes and smoothies. Its menu features many Pickard family recipes, like their honey bun cake.

Syracuse-native Pickard opened the coffee shop to honor his mother who died. His mother also owned a coffee shop in the ‘80s called Nellie and Jean’s on South Salina Street. After she died, Pickard returned to Syracuse and set his sights on a new business venture: OnaJava.

“I had a second opportunity to restart and reboot something that was created and I loved for my mom,” Pickard said.

Pickard cites his brother’s mental health condition as another source of inspiration for creating a safe and accepting cafe. During this process, Pickard also unlocked a space for fellow community members, he said.

Along with serving food and drinks, OnaJava holds open mic poetry and live performances throughout the week. Pickard hopes community members feel safe and welcome to share parts of themselves on the OnaJava stage, he said.

The small nine-by-nine stage features open space and black drapery for performers to come in and perform for OnaJava patrons. Bands like Everett Jones Sr. and Crew have performed there.

“I wanted to try to create a platform for people to come in and perform and let out expressions through songs and poetry,” Pickard said.

Jennifer Wagner-Pickard, Pickard’s wife and OnaJava manager, described the cafe as more of an arts cafe than anything else. The grand baby piano and microphones encourage people to come in and play music, she said.

“It’s always a nice vibe and everyone that comes in here loves the place,” Wagner-Pickard said.

In December, OnaJava was honored with the New York State Senate Empire Award. The award is given to small businesses who have made a significant impact in their respective communities, Sen. Rachel May said. The cafe has invigorated the Southside in only a few months following its opening, and has brought energy to a once bleak area, May added.

Pickard said receiving the award was a heartwarming moment for him, and it spoke volumes to the legacy the cafe is creating for itself.

Other community members have conversed about opening other businesses around South Salina Street because of OnaJava, May said, adding that this catalyzation is crucial for business to continue prospering in the city.

“Part of me hopes that everybody recognizes that Black-owned businesses are vital places where everyone can feel welcome and also create their own little world and is so needed by (the Southside) community,” May said.

OnaJava has participated in a local toy drive and food bank over the holiday season. Those in need searching for a meal are met with open arms at the cafe, Wagner-Pickard said.

The cafe also serves as a safe space for Syracuse youth. Pickard was inspired by his own family and children to create an environment where people can feel at peace.

“I try to create a peace zone, somewhere where they come to, somewhere they can enjoy and identify the peace zones here in Syracuse and let this be one of them,” Pickard said.

Wagner-Pickard hopes to continue to grow the business in the future, she said. When the weather breaks in the spring and summer seasons, she’s hoping to conduct more outdoor business with the cafe such as a deck or food truck. She also wants to bring in local vendors and support other businesses.

OnaJava is in the works of creating and patenting its own coffee brand, Pickard said. The cafe aims to continue to be a staple in the community and grow as a brand.

“We try to create just a couple of inspirations in flavor over here,” Pickard said.

Published on January 22, 2025 at 11:03 pm