Art of the mart: Richmond corner shops that serve more than convenience

Ethan York, Staff Writer

VCU is surrounded by a colorful combination of small shops and corner stores for when students need a little more than a late-night 7-Eleven run. No matter which neighborhood they call home, Richmonders and VCU students have their go-to “mart.”

Local markets across Richmond are not just a place to stop in for late-night ice cream — they are a safe space to grab a little comfort amidst busy lives, whether that comes in the form of a cup of hot coffee, a killer concert or the best deviled eggs in the city. 

Lombardy Market 

Sitting in the heart of the Fan district, Lombardy Market has been serving Richmond for decades. The landmark has been open for nearly 40 years, recognizable by the bright yellow font above their storefront.

The Lombardy Market offers more than just snacks, with full meals available behind a glass display case. While it is well known for its sandwiches and crisp salads, the most well-loved item on their menu is their deviled eggs, with a sign outside their store boasting them as “The Best Deviled Eggs in RVA.”

The market’s prices make it student-friendly, and in addition to all the essentials, they support the community by offering local brands like Richmond Coffee Co.’s brews and Sous Casa’s burritos.

Only a short walk from campus — Lombardy Market thrives as a Richmond staple and neighborly hotspot for a majority of its customers. This is one of many perks for store manager Ryan Alloway.

“There’s a lot of regulars in the neighborhood, so it’s a great opportunity to be plugged into the local community and kind of be there for people,” Alloway said.

Strawberry Street Market

Walking down Strawberry Street, there is more to love than just the name. Amidst the shops, restaurants and bustling sidewalks sits the Strawberry Street Market. 

The market’s specialty is a small deli that prepares fresh food in the back — the aroma of cauldrons of soup, baked goods and neatly prepared sandwiches constantly sits in the air.

Strawberry Street Market is right across the street from Scuffletown Park, an iconic green space known for its live music, picnics and hordes of Richmonders passing their afternoons or evenings together. It provides a natural spot to sit and enjoy a treat or late lunch from the market.

Cashier Deborah Raines is a familiar face for regulars. Her favorite part of the job is interacting with the Richmond locals and VCU students.

“They love it here, they love our hot deli because everything is made fresh here, like the soups and the sandwiches,” Raines said. “We try to keep everything as local as possible, and we’ll go out of our way to satisfy our customers to get it right.”

Mocha Mart

Oregon Hill’s Mocha Mart has recently set itself apart from other markets with its weekly concerts.

Every Thursday and Friday, people strolling by their unassuming parking lot late at night hear booming music coming from the frozen aisle. Local DJs and rappers from all over Richmond come to perform at Mocha Mart. Music lovers gather to enjoy both tunes and drinks, making it the perfect blend for both food and rhythm junkies.

Owner Sal Alshami said he is proud to host the concerts. He strives to give local artists a voice and an opportunity to grow.

“We’re a market that supports people who enjoy music, and more and more people started taking note of it, and it kind of became a staple in Richmond City in just a year,” Alshami said.

These concerts are often followed by an explosion of activities outside of Mocha Mart, such as food trucks and local vendors to meet other attendees while enjoying the live music. 

Mocha Mart is one-of-a-kind as a favorite daytime market for a snack on the way home from class or work, revisited later in the evening to listen to a DJ or play pool on the store’s table.