The Northside Gourmet Market building will eventually house a miniature restaurant and bar as well. (Mike Platania photos)
Less than a month after opening in Northside, a local neighborhood market concept is already being courted by developers in the Southside about bringing a similar sort of shop to Manchester.
Northside Gourmet Market opened in late November at 2208 North Ave. in Barton Heights.
Ezaddin Alshami, who runs the market with business partner Faisel Suort, purchased the 6,000-square-foot building in March for $340,000 and began a full gut renovation of the space, which had formerly housed another convenience market.
“The (previous) store was there for 32 years, and I don’t think they ever moved a nail,” Alshami said. “We did a total renovation. It looks like it’s brand new.”
Originally from Yemen, Alshami moved to Richmond from New York in the late ’90s.
In the years since, he owned a handful of convenience stores around town. But in putting together the concept for Northside Gourmet Market, Alshami said he and Suort canvassed the neighborhood to see whether residents wanted to see a new conventional market, or something a little different.
“We gained a good understanding of what they were looking for. We heard they wanted a small market that provides a healthy alternative as far as food,” Alshami said. “Some people wanted vegan or organic products, and healthy produce. So we came up with this combination that’s a mini gourmet market. It can be a one-stop-shop before you go to the supermarket for all the essentials.”
The Northside Gourmet Market offers fresh produce and bread along with other convenience store staples.
The duo also has more in store for the neighborhood. Alshami said they’ve carved out about 900 square feet in the back of the building, where they’re planning a small restaurant and bar.
“We think we’ll call it ‘The Neighborhood Spot.’ It’ll be easier for people to wine and dine and at the same time get their groceries. That’s something that’s needed in the neighborhood, too,” Alshami said.
Above the market is another 3,000 square feet of space that Alshami said will be converted into apartments. Both the apartment and restaurant renovations are expected to be completed by summer 2021.
Alshami said he’s also in talks to add a location in Manchester ,where landing a grocery store has been elusive but appears to be gaining steam.
He said he’s been approached by a few different Manchester developers about opening a store between 3,000 and 8,000 square feet in the neighborhood.
“We have had a couple of building owners call and express they’d like to see if we can do a store like the one we have at a bigger scale if we can,” Alshami said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a deal that’ll work with both parties.”
Northside Gourmet is the second market and café to open in Northside in 2020, joining Brookland Park Market about a mile northwest. Brothers and local restaurant veterans Sean and Pat Lynch are behind that concept.
The Northside Gourmet Market building will eventually house a miniature restaurant and bar as well. (Mike Platania photos)
Less than a month after opening in Northside, a local neighborhood market concept is already being courted by developers in the Southside about bringing a similar sort of shop to Manchester.
Northside Gourmet Market opened in late November at 2208 North Ave. in Barton Heights.
Ezaddin Alshami, who runs the market with business partner Faisel Suort, purchased the 6,000-square-foot building in March for $340,000 and began a full gut renovation of the space, which had formerly housed another convenience market.
“The (previous) store was there for 32 years, and I don’t think they ever moved a nail,” Alshami said. “We did a total renovation. It looks like it’s brand new.”
Originally from Yemen, Alshami moved to Richmond from New York in the late ’90s.
In the years since, he owned a handful of convenience stores around town. But in putting together the concept for Northside Gourmet Market, Alshami said he and Suort canvassed the neighborhood to see whether residents wanted to see a new conventional market, or something a little different.
“We gained a good understanding of what they were looking for. We heard they wanted a small market that provides a healthy alternative as far as food,” Alshami said. “Some people wanted vegan or organic products, and healthy produce. So we came up with this combination that’s a mini gourmet market. It can be a one-stop-shop before you go to the supermarket for all the essentials.”
The Northside Gourmet Market offers fresh produce and bread along with other convenience store staples.
The duo also has more in store for the neighborhood. Alshami said they’ve carved out about 900 square feet in the back of the building, where they’re planning a small restaurant and bar.
“We think we’ll call it ‘The Neighborhood Spot.’ It’ll be easier for people to wine and dine and at the same time get their groceries. That’s something that’s needed in the neighborhood, too,” Alshami said.
Above the market is another 3,000 square feet of space that Alshami said will be converted into apartments. Both the apartment and restaurant renovations are expected to be completed by summer 2021.
Alshami said he’s also in talks to add a location in Manchester ,where landing a grocery store has been elusive but appears to be gaining steam.
He said he’s been approached by a few different Manchester developers about opening a store between 3,000 and 8,000 square feet in the neighborhood.
“We have had a couple of building owners call and express they’d like to see if we can do a store like the one we have at a bigger scale if we can,” Alshami said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a deal that’ll work with both parties.”
Northside Gourmet is the second market and café to open in Northside in 2020, joining Brookland Park Market about a mile northwest. Brothers and local restaurant veterans Sean and Pat Lynch are behind that concept.