Billed as an "alternative culture" store in Jackson's Midtown neighborhood, OffBeat started in May 2014 as an idea and an attempt to build community through a store and art gallery.

"I learned how to read from comics and being a DJ… they just mesh so well together," said owner Phillip "DJ Young Venom" Rollins. "I felt like (comics) wouldn’t be strong enough as a store by itself, so, let me combine the two and add in some designer toys and a gallery wall for minority artists."

In previous years, the store hosted shows, had parties, movie screenings, album releases, free comic book days, video game tournaments, record store days and so much more. In their first major event since the pandemic, Offbeat will host Record Store Day 2021 on June 12.