Mojo’s – An Xperience Article

Mojo’s – An Xperience Article – by Colin Roberts.

“I look at this space as an open canvas for other people to paint on.”

Niek Velvis speaks thoughtfully, taking the time to contemplate the question he’s been asked before giving a detailed, enthusiastic answer. It’s the same pattern of consideration and enjoyment that goes into every aspect of Mojo’s Café and Gallery, a multi-purpose music venue and café in downtown Troy that Velvis and his wife, Alana, own and operate together.

“When we saw this space we couldn’t help but to listen to it,” says Velvis. “The space was connecting with us and we were connecting with the space, and we saw the potential for a small music and art venue.”

“I don’t think the intent was to start any of this,” he says with a laugh. The couple moved to Troy in August of 2023, packing up their Denver-based recording studio and bringing it along with them. In their search to find a place where they would want to raise their child—and also to perhaps continue their studio work—they kept being drawn back to the Collar City. It was a combination of the food, the music, the community, and the overall vibe that Troy had to offer that led them to the building located at 147 4^th Street.

“I think being in a tight-knit community as well as close to some family members was important to us,” he recalls. “There was some time where we thought we might be moving to Miami—I actually took a job there for seven months. I’m glad we found this space.”

Work on the site—the former home to Superior Merchandise—began in August of 2023, with structural reinforcement and a redesign for Mojo’s. They opened their doors in February and have continued to add new aspects since.

The café serves coffee and baked goods as well as beer, wine, cider, and soft drinks. In the back sits Mojo’s stage and performance space, and their outdoor courtyard, which is perfect for outdoor shows and events.

The music side of the business came innately to Niek and Alana, who were able to embrace their roots and pack their own knowledge and experiences into the venue. The space has hosted an array of shows from open mic nights and jazz jams to hip-hop emcees and rock bands. One monthly mainstay is a residency by the Blues Episode, which boasts a lineup that has done time with The Cure, David Bowie, Isaac Hayes, and Swans. Every style of music is welcome at Mojo’s.

“I’d really like to work to a point where everybody can look at our calendar and find a point of relatability,” Velvis says. “I really have a keen eye on scheduling a vast diversity of events so that anyone can be comfortable here.”

This includes not just the music, but also a wide variety of other happenings. Mojo’s has already hosted events, including a New Orleans food pop-up, a burlesque show, and an independent zine festival, with many more ideas on the horizon.

The other side of Mojo’s—the café— is something that didn’t come as naturally to the couple, but they found their footing with the help of those around them. There are carefully curated beer and cider options that are great to sip on during a show, as well as soft drinks. Teas and baked goods are sourced locally, as is their coffee, which is roasted by Gipfel Coffee Company in Averill Park. And at its core, it’s all about coffee at Mojo’s—and in a city with a wealth of great coffee, they knew they had to deliver a quality product, but in a way that maintained their own identity.

“We had to find a point that was not only unique, but also authentic to us,” Velvis says. “We took ourselves down to New York City with folks who have a lot of experience in the coffee world so that we could find that point.”

Accompanying the coffee is a New Orleans-themed vibe accented by the vibrant art of the Velvis’ friend, Frenchy. His paintings, often done live in front of the musical performers they depict, are expressive and full of motion. The plan is to incorporate other artists onto the walls as well, creating an ever-changing view for the audience.

For Velvis, while every day is a step forward for his business, what Mojo’s really is at its foundation is a confluence of music, art, and coffee; a space that can be enjoyed by anyone at any given time. It’s all about community, something that continues to grow in the venue every day.

“The more we’re in this space, the more we’re learning this space has its own mojo,” Velvis says with a smile. “We opened a place that does have that open canvas for other people to paint on, and when people feel authentic in this space to express themselves in their craft, then there’s no telling what’s going to happen and who comes in and what kind of shows we can have. There’s no limit, and I’m really excited about that.”

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