There’s something comforting about the ritual of a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or a thoughtfully crafted cocktail. These aren’t just beverages, they’re moments of pause and presence. When made with intention, they invite us to slow down, connect, and savor. Whether it’s a bold single-origin roast or a balanced craft cocktail, the best drinks begin with care, quality, and a story.
That story starts with the beans.
For David Nozar, founder of Jollymac Coffee, it began with a memory. “Three years ago, I was having my morning coffee and thinking about my grandfather,” he recalls. “He always carried a cup with him, and we’d talk about everything. That’s how we bonded. I wanted to create something that honored that connection—and something my grandkids could continue.”
Jollymac was born soon after, its name a blend of his four grandchildren: Joey, Molly, MacKenzie, and Kennedy. Based in Temecula, California, the brand specializes in clean-roasted, single-origin coffee sourced directly from smallholder farms. Beans are roasted daily in an FDA-inspected facility and shipped the same day, always fresh, never stockpiled.
David’s focus is on direct trade, a model that rewards quality while ensuring farmers are paid livable wages. “Coffee has a long history of exploitation,” he explains. “We want to help break that cycle by building relationships that respect the farmer and the land.” Each bag of Jollymac supports clean water projects, tree planting programs, and global sustainability efforts.
His go-to brew? “Papa Nozar’s Brew,” a medium-dark Honduran roast that kickstarts his mornings and honors the past.
In spring 2024, David connected with Peaceful Grounds, a café opening later that year in Manhattan. Founded by Cheryl and Holly, a mother-daughter team, Peaceful Grounds had a clear mission: to offer high-quality, ethically sourced coffee in a calming, welcoming space.
“We weren’t interested in roasting ourselves,” Cheryl says. “We wanted to focus on the café experience—intentional drinks, a peaceful environment, and strong community ties.” They were looking for a partner who could supply clean, ethically roasted coffee in small, fresh batches. Jollymac was a perfect fit.
Peaceful Grounds opened its doors in December 2024 with one custom blend and three single origins from Jollymac. Since then, it’s become a local favorite, known for its warm atmosphere and seasonal drink menu. The shop features casual seating, a quiet meeting room for small gatherings, and regular community events that reflect its welcoming vibe.
“We want every cup to be a little moment of peace,” says Tim Gerner, Cheryl’s son and one of the café’s co-founders. Tim, Holly, and the rest of the team take a hands-on approach to flavor, experimenting with seasonal infusions and specialty drinks that keep regulars returning. A brown sugar cinnamon cold brew in the fall, a honey lavender latte in the spring, each drink is brewed with care and a personal touch.
Behind every pour is the quality of Jollymac’s beans—traceable, thoughtfully sourced, and roasted with precision. Many customer favorites feature beans from Honduras and Bali, including the Grandpa Nozar Blend, a bold single origin with notes reminiscent of the strong coffee enjoyed by generations past.
Just twenty minutes away, Tallgrass in Lockport brings the same level of craft to the cocktail glass.
Known for its French-inspired cuisine and welcoming ambiance, Tallgrass offers a seasonal cocktail menu that’s both inventive and approachable. General Manager Arune Vasylenko says their drinks are designed with intention: “I like to get to know our guests, their favorite flavors, spirits, and moods, and craft cocktails that reflect them while offering something unexpected.”
Take the TG Old Fashioned, for example, made with crème de cassis, a French blackcurrant liqueur that adds depth and subtle sweetness to the bourbon. Or the Smoked Old Fashioned, infused with hickory smoke, a drink that’s as visually dramatic as it is flavorful.
The cocktail program changes with the seasons and is built in close collaboration with Executive Chef Theron Walker to complement the evolving menu. Ingredients are often sourced locally, and most syrups, infusions, and garnishes are made in-house—adding to the uniqueness of each pour.
Coffee also plays a role behind the bar. Tallgrass uses Sparrow Coffee in their espresso martinis and other rotating coffee cocktails. “Coffee adds so much, bitterness, sweetness, nuttiness,” Arune says. “We’ve even created a tiramisu martini based on a staff member’s favorite dessert.”
What makes Tallgrass memorable, Arune says, is the overall experience: “It’s about creating something people want to come back for. Whether it’s a cocktail, a meal, or a special event, every detail is intentional.”
From the quiet calm of a pour-over at Peaceful Grounds to the hickory-scented swirl of a cocktail at Tallgrass, one thing unites these spaces: they turn beverages into something bigger. A ritual. A moment. A connection.
Because sometimes, the simplest acts, sharing a drink, telling a story, create the most lasting impressions.
Kindness is like coffee. It awakens your spirit and improves your day. Share a story. - David Nozar, jollymac coffee