One of the best-kept secrets in New Orleans is the Juju Bag Café and Barber Salon at 5363 Franklin Ave in Gentilly.

This café is known for “ all things healthy, wholesome, and good.”

Coffee service is a specialty, but there are many surprises at the Juju Bag such as a massage studio, a barbershop and a bookstore.

After Hurricane Katrina, Tommye Myrick, the former director of the Center for African and African-American studies at Southern University New Orleans, along with her partner Phyllis Johnson decided to open Juju Bag. Johnson is a master barber, so it was natural that they open a barbershop, too. It was never a dream for Myrick to open a café. She, in fact, wanted a bookstore.

Myrick’s says her aunt used to tell her that it was important to find time for meaningful conversation and to get away from all the unnecessary chatter in life. The Juju Bag Café and Barber Salon is the perfect secret place to do just that.

Still, it was out of necessity that the café evolved. In post Katrina New Orleans, people needed food, coffee and haircuts. They wanted wireless Internet and a place to fax documents.

What they got was a one-stop sanctuary where they could take a rest from the rebuilding.

Myrick was rebuilding her own home that took on three feet of water just three blocks away.

For years, she passed the building that would become the Juju Bag on her way to SUNO. The building was tilted and un-gutted. It had had water all the way up to the rafters. Myrick decided she get the building even after being advised that it would have to be torn down. She wanted to preserve what she could, including some of the old wood that she loves.

As a first-time entrepreneur, Myrick wanted to create a space that would be similar to her home. She knew she would be spending a lot of time in this new home away from home and she wanted it to be a place she could “chill’ in between her work.

The Juju Bag has the comforts of home as well as the feel of a faraway magical place.

Myrick and her staff make customers feel comfortable from the moment they walk into the door. An altar is proudly displayed at the entrance with photos of ancestors welcoming the guest. There is a special rag doll that made a pilgrimage from Africa and survived Katrina’s waters on the welcome mat.

Visiting the Juju Bag, all of the senses are treated to delights. There is the sound of a trickling waterfall, there is sweet exotic incense that clings to the air, vibrant colored artwork covers the walls and spicy chai teases the taste buds.

Myrick says customers tend to linger for hours and she makes a point to never present a check until they ask for it.

“I tell my staff to observe; never to walk in on a conversation, but take a cue from the guest, after all this is their haven.”

The Juju Bag attracts neighborhood regulars, local politicians, and well-known entertainers. The chef, Dominick Sherman, gives a friendly hello and a warm smile as a greeting. Myrick visits each table to make sure everyone is comfortable. It is very important to her that her guests feel relaxed and enjoy themselves.

The neighbors in the area welcome the Juju Bag as one of the few businesses committed to rebuilding the area.

Chuck Perkins, a spoken word performer describes the café as a nice, little cozy environment. There, he says has enjoyed the Sunday brunch accompanied by the sounds of Brazilian guitar. As a resident of the area, Perkins is pleased to see the café open and has taken to the stage on a recent Thursday night where weekly poetry jam sessions are held. He has been well received by audience members.

“I have received good responses from the audience, it is made up of community of people, and it is a really good atmosphere to perform in,” says Perkins.

Chef Dominick keeps the kitchen sizzling with favorites such as the Ree Ree Panini made with fresh veggies, pesto, black olives, jalapeno, Swiss cheese and chicken.

Brunch is served on weekends, where made to order omelets and waffles are sure to please. Traditional coffee house items are available such smoothies, desserts, café au lait, (ragtime) Langston’s cappuccino and Gris Gris tea.

Juju Bag is open from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Mondays, Juju Bag is available by appointment for retreats and meetings.