09/17/2026
In honor of Pausa Coffee’s first anniversary, here’s a look back at the space before it became what it is today.
In March 2025, we got the keys to 246 East Water Street and immediately got to work.
Building Pausa was a true labor of love. So many people gave their time, talent, and energy to a vision that, at the time, existed mostly in my head.
Our beautiful bar was built by hand, piece by piece, by Steve, owner of Renaissance Renovations.
Every light and fixture was installed by my boyfriend, Zack Leofanti, who spent countless hours helping me bring this space to life. Having someone beside me who believed in Pausa as deeply as I did meant more than I could ever put into words.
To Joanne Capparelli, who gave up her living room, dining room, and kitchen for months while deliveries arrived with nowhere else to go—thank you for letting Pausa take over your home before it had one of its own.
To my best friends, Diamela and Giovanna Frateschi, thank you for the daily phone calls, talking me through every mental breakdown, and continuing to show up for me every day since.
To my cousin Louie, thank you for taking on countless jobs—from electrical work and permits to offering guidance throughout the entire buildout.
The ceiling and our beautiful original floors were carefully refinished by Weaver Works Painting and Syracuse’s Finest Hardwood Floors.
Thank you to in-ARCHITECTS for the continued support with permits, the buildout, and the constant back-and-forth with the city to keep our project moving.
Our equipment buildout and installation were completed by Gerharz Equipment.
And, of course, thank you to Mike Zulini of Eurotrash Antiques and Art for the beautiful and interesting European décor found throughout the shop.
There were also countless hours spent choosing paint colors—and more trips to The Home Depot and Lowe's Home Improvement than I could ever count.
To every family member, friend, contractor, and helping hand who played a part in creating Pausa: thank you.
You didn’t just help build a coffee shop. You helped turn something I had dreamed about for so long into a real place that people now get to enjoy every day.
