An Icon and Role-Model in the Eyes of Our Community
Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven began when Mr. Omanii Abdullah, a professor of African American Studies and Public Speaking at Morrisville State College and Syracuse University, started up a lemonade and hot-dog vending business in 1993 as a means of showing African American youth that they can gain dignity and pride through honest labor. Not only does Mr. Abdullah preach these beliefs in his classes and his community, but he lives them each day through his work and ownership of Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven, which consists of a vending cart located on Crouse Avenue and a restaurant located on South Ave., both in Syracuse, N.Y. This restaurant is located in the heart of the African American community where Mr. Abdullah feels the greatest ties and aim of possibly setting good examples for the local youth can be found.
At his restaurant, Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven, Mr. Abdullah serves up a variety of quality products which range from some of the plumpest and juiciest hot dogs and the finest ground round burgers and steak sandwiches to three types of fish: haddock, whiting, and catfish. The goal of those at Omanii’s Lemonade Heavan is not only to leave the customer’s hunger satisfied, but to provide only the best ingredients which will keep the customer well-nourished. Beyond hot-dogs and hamburgers, many claim that Mr. Abdullah has the best lemonade in the city. This lemonade has driven most of the success of the business and has customers buying it by the 5 gallon container. But, it doesn’t stop there. Omanii’s Lemonade Heaven provides this fine lemonade in 4 delicious, mouth-watering flavors which can be ordered by the cup, gallon, or 5 gallon container.
Although Mr. Abdullah’s story of success is riddled with obstacles of unfair treatment, his restaurant and lemonade stand have become two threads which bind the community together. Because of that, Mr. Abdullah is dedicated to success in hopes of furthering the betterment of the community and setting a positive example for African American youth. He has also become a mainstay at various summer festivals and an integral part of the Pan-African Village at the New York State Fair.