Community Partner SPOTLIGHT: DJ Bee & Freshtopia
Name: DJ Bee
Your Position: Owner
Organization: Fresh Radio/Freshtopia VA
Website: freshtopiava.com
Phone number: 800-870-8513
Business Address: 300 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Industry: Retail
Describe Your Business and how you got here.
Fresh Radio, launched 10/10/2010, is an online radio station that plays classic and progressive Hip Hop, RNB, Soul, Reggae, Funk, Pop, Disco, Boogie, and mixes from DJs worldwide 24/7. Freshtopia, launched in January 2019, is the retail shop and record store that operates inside the Fresh Radio studio located on the 1st Floor of MacArthur Center Mall in downtown Norfolk, VA. Freshtopia is one of the very few Black Owned brick and mortar record stores in the US and was recently featured in Essence Magazine in their list of 11 Black Owned Record stores to visit across the country.
DJ Bee, a veteran DJ, turntablist, with over 28 years of terrestrial radio experience, is the founder of Fresh Radio, Freshtopia, and Live Life Fresh Wellness. You can hear DJ Bee live daily on itsfreshradio.com or 6 am-10 am Monday to Friday for the Fresh Start Morning Show on 91.1 FM (NSU Radio) here locally in Hampton Roads.
How did the LIVE.LIFE.FRESH Boombox rides get started?.
Fresh Radio/Freshtopia moved to 35th St., in Norfolk, in January of 2019. 35th St has the only center bike lane in Norfolk, and it also connects to the ERT. We noticed that there were no Bike Month activities scheduled for 35th St. in May of 2019, and my wife and I decided to call a group of friends who ride and organize the LIVE.LIFE.FRESH Boom Box Bike Ride. So the first Saturday in May, we met and rode around using the bike lanes and the ERT. We put a call out on Fresh Radio and social media to meet us at 10 am for a 10-mile casual cruise through Norfolk via the bike lanes and the Elizabeth River Trail, as a way to get off the couch and unplug from your devices and social media for 2 hours. This is our way of promoting a fresh, healthy mental and physical lifestyle.
That May had 5 Saturday rides, and on the first Saturday in June, we decided to keep going! We continue to ride, weather permitting, even through the pandemic! Six years later, we’re still riding through 35th Street starting from our new location at MacArthur Center Mall.
How did you get connected to the Elizabeth River Trail?
Cheryl White, the former ERT Director, heard about our group, joined us in riding, and developed the relationship/partnership between Fresh Radio/Freshtopia with the ERT that exists today. When Kindra took over as Executive Director, she maintained and expanded the partnership, and we both use our platforms to educate and promote the beauty of the trail and the benefits to all for the greater good of our Norfolk community.
Given your background and the nature of what you do, what benefits do you feel the trail has for the community?
During our early rides, I remember riders saying they did not know all of this was here in Norfolk. Or I would post pictures from along the trail or Plum Point Park and people would ask, “Where are you?”. I always say, you get to see a different part of the City of Norfolk along the ERT! Getting out on your bike or walking the trail allows you to experience Norfolk in a way that is impossible by car.
What’s your favorite trail moment?
The first Glow Ride and the unveiling of the Glowline in Jeff Robertson Park. The excitement of the first-time experience of some of our riders who couldn’t grasp the concept was amazing.
Favorite Trailgrazing spot? (i.e. best local food spot steps from the trail)?
Benchtop Brewery in Chelsea. It’s literally a right or left from the trail, depending on which way you’re going.
Best view of the Elizabeth River from the trail?
Plum Point Park, in my opinion.
