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Blackberries owner a man of the people

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Contributed by: Charmaine Robledo/YourHub.com on 4/10/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of Denver page, where YourHub.com staff and readers will introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.

You usually won't find Sudan Muhammad behind the counter at Blackberries Ice Cream and Coffee Lounge.

Instead, you'll most likely see him out on the floor or sitting on a couch, talking with one of his customers, many of whom he knows on a first-name basis.

"I pride myself on having people enjoy their experience here," Muhammad said. "I want you to hang out."

The 32-year-old Denver resident has been the owner of the Five Points locale since May 2005, but acquiring Blackberries came as more of a happenstance.

Muhammad was a business consultant for the previous owner, Hasena Williams, who opened Blackberries in 2004. But over time, it became clear to Muhammad that Williams was looking to sell Blackberries, and he saw it as a "great opportunity to be in Five Points."

Owning a business is nothing new to Muhammad. Before Blackberries, which is located at 710 E. 26th Ave., he owned a nightclub downtown called Club A20.

Though Muhammad said he has an entrepreneurial spirit, he jokes he's the black sheep in a "very religious" family. Nonetheless, he's found his niche with Blackberries and plans on "solidifying this spot."

In a world of big-name coffee chains, Muhammad said he strives to make Blackberries stand out. As part of his laid-back nature, Muhammad wants the environment at his business to be relaxing and a place for the community to gather.

And having events is an integral part of making Blackberries more than just a coffee shop. For instance, the place hosts spoken word nights the first and third Thursdays of the month.

"I want people to feel comfortable and safe," he said. "I want them to visit the area, see the art and go shopping."

When he is behind the counter, Muhammad can be found mixing up a smoothie or scooping up Blackberries' gourmet ice cream, which is handmade. Blackberries offers about 10 ice cream flavors. Muhammad tries to come up with new and unusual ice cream flavors, such as his latest one: I Don't Know.

What's in it? "I don't know," he jokes. But he reveals some of the ingredients, which include Snickers, chocolate chunks and walnuts. And since taking over, Muhammad also added a lunch menu.

But his specialty isn't making the food, but interacting with the customers. Muhammad said the best part of being at Blackberries is the social aspect.

"The people here are very diverse, and I love to debate," he said with a laugh. "If we weren't talking here, I'd be talking to Willie over there or saying hi to Tracy."

Currently, Muhammad is running Blackberries with the help of two employees. However, both of the young women are pregnant and his business manager, Annette Hunter, is on the search for replacements.
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For more information about Blackberries, click here.

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