Residents Look Forward to ‘Mocha Gourmet Market’

From RichmondBizSense.com article:

After 25 years, a neighborhood market in Oregon Hill is under new management and set to get a half-million-dollar rebirth.

Fine Food Market at 700 Idlewood Ave. is now owned and operated by Ezaddin Alshami, who’s planning to renovate the store and rebrand it as Mocha Gourmet Market.

It’s the second local market for Alshami, who in December opened the Northside Gourmet Market in Barton Heights.

Fine Food Market had operated in Oregon Hill for over two decades, and during that time it was a client of Alshami’s ATM business TriTec ATM. That relationship led to a recent conversation about a sale.

“I talked to the owners and they were about done with it. We made an offer that they accepted right away,” Alshami said. “I’ve known the area for a long time and know the store’s potential.”

Alshami purchased the business and signed a new lease for the store. Alshami said the 46-year-old building has been neglected over the years, and that he’s preparing to renovate it and update the concept.

“On Valentine’s Day, Bring the Love Out into the Street… Cumberland St That Is.”

From unstoppable Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford:

How ’bout helping us clean litter late morning on Valentine’s Day? Meet at Fine Foods Market parking lot 11am. We’ll collect litter along a manageable stretch of Cumberland St. & Idlewood Ave. We will supply equipment (grabbers, bags & gloves). Enjoy being under healthy clear skies. Plus help to beautify our land in time for the onset of springtime. Remember: on Valentine’s Day, even trash deserves a little attention.

Here’s the Meet Up link.

Fancy Flea Today

From Craigslist ad:

THE FANCY FLEA
Sunday April 29 – 11am-4pm

Corner of Idlewood Ave. & S. Pine St.
in Oregon Hill (VCU/Fan area – Richmond)

Lots of really cool artifacts from six different collections
Rare, unique retro items
Unusual books & printed matter
Several tables full of LPs Records & CDs
Clothes to wear – cool & stylish
Neat 60s & 70s toys & collectibles
Furniture
Decorative items
MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!

*** The Fancy Flea happens every other Sunday all through the Spring & Summer ***
No admission charge to this outdoor event

……………………………………………………………………………………

Want to sell your own stuff at the Fancy Flea? Send email to: fancyflearva AT geemale.com

Some of the money you spend will be donated to Thrive Mom, a group that empowers single parents.

[The Fancy Flea is at 700 Idlewood Ave next to Fine Foods Grocery!!! That’s one block west of Belvedere just south of the VCU campus. Look for parking on Idlewood or on South Pine St. From RMA Highway 195 South, take the Belvedere exit & we’ll be on the left in about 3 blocks. CHECK US OUT!!!]

Fancy Flea Sunday

From Craigslist ad:

*** YARD SALE ***
Sunday Feb. 26 11am-4:30pm
Corner of S. Pine St. & Idlewood Ave. (outdoors)
(On the lawn next to Fine Foods Market)

Many Many Record Albums (several thousand)
-25 cents & up
CDs (really nice titles)
DVDs
Collectible Printed Matter
– Books, Magazines, Photos from the 50s 60s & 70s
Unusual Decorative Artifacts
Eye-catching Memorabilia

In demand Rock Records +
Soul, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Punk
International LPs & More!

Just south of RMA 195.
One block west of Idlewood Ave.
& Belvedere St (just south of the
beautiful VCU campus). Nearest
street address is 300 S Pine St 23220

Thin wallet this week? Our cheap
prices mean no problem

Fine Food Reviewed

No, I already mentioned Mamma Zu’s magazine recognition. This post is about local blog One Way Richmond’s review of local convenience stores that includes Fine Food on Idlewood.

Fine Food (Oregon Hill) – 700 Idlewood Ave. – (804) 780-1869

Fine Food in Oregon Hill just might be the most famous convenience store in Richmond. The store may look a little bleak on the outside, but inside is a very well kept store where the expiration dates coincide with the current calendar. Their domestic and imported beer selection is marvelous, and they have a great bulletin board to keep you abreast of every good music show going on in Richmond. I also would like to add, I’ve seen a ton of local videos/photos shot at this location. Who needs Hollywood when you got Fine Food? I believe they close at 10 p.m., so plan accordingly punks, metal heads, hippies, hipsters, scenesters, mods, anarchists, liberals, students, blue collars, homelesss, conservatives, rich, poor, old codgers, rednecks, artists, hip-hoppers, frat boys, etc. You get the point.

Also:

Cary Street Mini Market – 1317 W. Cary St. – (804) 447-8781

This year-old, maybe two, convenience store is just that, convenient. They have two ATMs, no beer yet and plenty of snacks and cigarettes. This store which is in the old Chop Suey Books location is a perfect bridge of VCU students and Randolph residents. Phone cards for everyone! I think it’s only been robbed twice, which is good because this location back in the day would have warranted more heists. Good news everybody, they have the lottery.

Cary Street Mini Market II – 817 W. Cary St.

Same crew that runs the Cary Street Mini Market at 1317 W. Cary. Description above applies here. Also I just want to add, it gives VCU students and Oregon Hill residents another option on where to play the lottery. With the cost of tuition rapidly increasing, I think it’s safe to say more students are playing the lottery. It’s also right next to 821 Café and yes, yet another tattoo parlor. Guess these neighbors alone can support all cigarette sales at this tucked in establishment.