More than a convenience store: Mocha Gourmet Market becomes a music venue, community space

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- From selling snacks and beverages during the day to DJ sets and live music at night, Mocha Gourmet Market is becoming a community staple for local artists and musicians.

The idea sparked for Sal Alshami, the son of the owner of Mocha Market, when he realized the large space inside the store can be used for more than just shopping. As a music and art lover, Alshami also acknowledged the plethora of talent coming out of Virginia Commonwealth University and the city itself.

"I kind of coordinated with my beliefs and what I like so I just wanted to see, test it out. Would everybody else like it?" Alshami asked. "It just became something that everybody vibed with.

If you've ever been out in Richmond on a Thursday night, you've likely noticed hundreds of bikers. The group calls themselves the 'Broad Street Bullies." The Bullies follow the same route weekly, meeting at the Kroger in Carytown, then weaving through the Museum District, Scott's Addition, The Fan, VCU's campus and Downtown Richmond before finally landing at Mocha Market.

"When Broad Street Bullies came through Thursday, I was like, let's go ahead and try something different because I know they bring a big crowd," Alshami said.

Thursdays became Alshami's go-to day to schedule live music because of this regular crowd bound to roll in around 9 p.m.

Salad, a founding member of the Broad Street Bullies, said he decided to make Mocha Gourmet Market the ending point of the rides in 2020 because of the familiarity of the area and the geography of Richmond.

Although the Broad Street Bullies have been taking over Richmond for four years, communication between the group and Alshami is new.

"We've got a lot of artist friends and music friends and talented people," Salad said. "We just try to get everyone together and just get everyone supporting each other, you know?" It's the best."

Hunter Perry, otherwise known as Big Papa while DJing, said performing at Mocha Market is an opportunity to bring "different types of sound to people who may not hear it."

"You see the little kid dancing. You see the grandma shaking because she can't help it and it just makes everything worth it," Perry said.

Alshami said he plans to keep shows free to attend. He gives artists an opportunity to set up their own merchandise stands and accept donations.

"You could be walking down the street, passing by Idlewood and now you're in an event for free," Alshami said.

Besides music, Alshami said he hopes to support small local businesses through his transformation as well. He invites food trucks, thrift retailers and vendors to attend events. Some of those businesses include Juju Exchange, Nomad Coffee and Westray's Finest Ice Cream.

Alshami takes pride in being from Richmond and developing this hot spot in his hometown.

"I'm well traveled around the United States. VCU and Richmond as a whole has the coolest vibes. That's why every time we post and we say 'Richmond,' people always say, 'I knew this was Richmond, Richmond vibes, so Richmond," Alshami said.

Alshami wants to expand his efforts in the future. He hopes to partner with fraternities and sororities to give back to communities. He also plans to establish a daytime farmer's market to serve Oregon Hill residents.

"It's only going to get better," Alshami said.