Shoot Ya Shot Juice Bar Celebrates Newburgh

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Teenagers emphatically affirm its truth. For many young adults, it’s a motivating mantra reminder. And for still others it occupies residence all over their social media accounts.

The three words: “Shoot your shot” have become one of the most popular phrases around, and now a new juice bar in the City of Newburgh proudly bears their namesake…with a slight twist: “Shoot Ya Shot.” Whether its connotation is to release your pride and pursue someone of interest or simply take a chance on something you love, “Shoot Your Shot,” is all about moving your life forward in a positive direction, chasing your dream, and having no regrets.

It’s that exact philosophy that guided married couple and Shoot Ya Shot owners Joshua and Tamara Borden, when they took the plunge to pursue their dream juice bar concept last year.

“We wanted to open a place like this for a long time,” explained Joshua, who, along with Tamara, was raised, bred, and spent nearly their entire lives in the City of Newburgh, a place they love and have long aspired to give back to in some meaningful way. “We saw there was a real drought of healthy eating options here in Newburgh, so that’s how the juice idea started; while, we also wanted to show people who ‘shot their shot,’ and are now successful that we are proud of and honor them.”

Those tributes have slowly been evolving ever since the 411 Broadway space has officially opened its doors to the public in January, 2022. Little by little, large, colorful canvases, containing images of some of the City of Newburgh’s most talented and successful natives are enveloping the walls of the juice bar.

Upon entering, after taking in some nifty images of a velour couch; funky, neon colored chairs encircling hip tables and a funky, black drum set, immediately to your right, hanging on the left side wall, you will be welcomed by a smiling Naja Scott, clad in a blue officer’s uniform. Scott, the first African-American female police officer in Newburgh, has served as an inspiring trailblazer for countless females who followed in her footsteps. Make your way toward the back end, where the juice bar (offering sumptuous drinks such as “Energizer” and “Caribbean Punch”) inhabits space, and take a look over on the opposite wall. Here, you will be greeted by an imposing, magnetic photo of a young, muscular track athlete, adorned in a one piece black and red track uniform, his Mississippi State collegiate colors.

World class runner, Elzie Coleman, at one time one of the fastest teenagers on the planet, was a former Goldback in the 1990’s, who “Shot his Shot” with his blazing sprinting speed and records that still stand today. Grammy-Award winning song writer, Paradise Fontaine and TikTok sensation, Andre Brown, with over two million followers and known for his promotion of family values, will also have reserved space. Meanwhile, yet another photo, bearing the image of Newburgh icon, Mayor Torrance Harvey was just having its spot secured in the juice bar last week.

“It’s someone like Mayor Harvey who we all looked up to so much as a teacher at Newburgh Free Academy when we were there for the incredible support he gave us; it was especially supportive to see a teacher who was our color, who made us feel more confident seeing that it was possible to succeed,” Joshua said about Harvey, who he admires dearly for his quest from a substitute teacher all the way to Mayor of the City. “Mayor Harvey is pushing for young black women and men to change the narrative and is such a vital part of so many great things that have happened and continue to happen here.”

One of those amazing feats was something Joshua Borden himself was a part of: The 2009 Boy’s State Championship Basketball Team, the first and still only one in NFA History. A guard on that celebrated team, Joshua, also intends to honor all of his teammates, as yet another shining example of Newburgh natives who in their case “Shot their shots,” both literally and figuratively.

In addition to creating an ongoing visual entourage of reminders of Newburghites who flourished, Joshua and his wife plan to pay homage to them with naming drinks after them. “Mr. Butterfly,” “Mr. President,” and “The Blue Shield,” are already set to appear. Further, don’t expect that menu to be limited to drinks either, the Bordens are intent on expanding their healthy options to include; salads, protein bowls, wraps and other nutritious and delicious options. Live entertainment, including bands and karaoke nights, compliments of the Bri’s Everlasting Affairs entertainment company, is expected to further enhance the unique juice bar which aims to showcase all that is good and beautiful about Newburgh.

“This place is not for us, but what comes after us,” said Joshua as he proudly looked at the Harvey photo about to be put up. “We want to teach younger people to shoot their shot the right way and to really hear the messages of the people who came before them and feel that critical sense of belonging to their pasts, and that Newburgh is a place where it can happen and amazing things are possible to achieve; you can see that, just by looking around here.”