In the heart of Downtown Jonesboro, Something Art Cafe has quickly become a gathering place for music, art and community. Built from the momentum of a local skateboard brand and a growing underground music scene, the business has evolved into a creative space that blends food, live music and art into an atmosphere centered on connection. 

For founder Youssef Sheroubi, the goal has always been to create experiences that bring people together while contributing to the growing culture of Downtown Jonesboro.

“From the beginning, our approach to hospitality has been centered around creating experiences for people, whether that’s through music, art, food or conversation,” said Sheroubi. “We wanted to build a place where people feel welcome, inspired and connected, and where the community itself helps shape the culture of the space.”

That vision was shaped long before the cafe ever opened its doors. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Sheroubi grew up in a family of artists before moving with his family to the United Arab Emirates at the age of seven. At 18, he moved to Jonesboro to pursue a degree in art at Arkansas State University. Creativity surrounded him throughout his childhood, influencing both his artistic perspective and the atmosphere he now works to create at the cafe.

“Growing up in a household with two artists meant creativity was constantly around me; our home felt like a workshop for most of my childhood,” said Sheroubi.

During his childhood, Sheroubi developed a love for travel, culture and exploration, interests that continue to influence the cafe today.

“I really enjoy getting lost in unfamiliar places and learning more about the environments and cultures around me,” he said. “Those experiences have had a huge influence on both my creative perspective and the atmosphere we try to build at Something Art Cafe.”

The roots of the business began with Something Skateboards, a brand he co-founded alongside close friends Keaton Early and Terry Cho in 2023. Operating out of a smaller location at 101 S. Church St., the business quickly became more than a retail shop as music and local culture naturally found their way into the space.

“In 2024, we started hosting shows out of our small shop, and the response was overwhelming,” said Sheroubi.

As crowds grew and community support increased, the team realized they had outgrown the original location. By 2025, with help from co-founder Brant Martin, as well as local investors and supporters, they moved into their current downtown space at 211 S. Main St. The building itself already carried a history familiar to many Jonesboro residents, previously housing Sai Thai Cuisine, Eleanor’s and later Uncle Taco. Much of the existing equipment remained in place, helping ease the transition into the new location.

“When we moved in, the building owners were incredibly generous and allowed us to use much of the existing equipment and machinery to help us get started,” said Sheroubi.

Community support extended far beyond the building itself. The stage inside the cafe was built by Scott McDaniel and his crew at Ramson’s Construction, while local business owners like Skinny J’s owner James Best and landlord Clay Young also helped support the project. For Sheroubi, Downtown Jonesboro was always the ideal location.

“I remember being at Cregeen’s one day and noticing an open storefront across the street and thinking how amazing it would be to have a space that was open enough for people to dance and close enough to be part of the energy of downtown,” he said. “I love that downtown gives people options. You can grab food, listen to music, meet friends and experience multiple things in one evening. There’s a strong sense of community, and variety that makes the area feel alive.”

Inside Something Art Cafe, that atmosphere is intentional. The space functions simultaneously as a restaurant, music venue, art gallery and gathering place. 

“From the beginning, I wanted Something Art Cafe to be more than just a cafe,” he said. “It’s meant to function as a gallery, a music venue, and a comfortable place where people can enjoy a meal, work on sketches or homework, or simply spend time with friends.”

The menu itself reflects the playful, creative personality of the business. Customers can order coffee drinks, energy drinks, dirty sodas, brunch dishes, appetizers and sandwiches, and several menu items have already developed loyal followings.

“Some customer favorites include the Backstage Burger, which many people say is one of their favorite burgers in town, and the Philly Cheesus, which has definitely become a must-try item on the menu,” he said.

While the cafe has quickly gained popularity, operating a creative business comes with challenges. Alongside running the business, Sheroubi is also pursuing a master’s degree in marketing at Arkansas State University. Rising costs and inflation have added additional pressure.

“One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the business while actively pursuing my master’s degree,” he said. “At the same time, inflation and rising costs have made it increasingly difficult to keep prices affordable for the community we serve.”

There are also difficult decisions involved in maintaining a creative space while remaining financially sustainable.

“There are tough decisions that come with running a creative space, whether that’s removing items from the menu or being unable to accommodate certain musical acts due to financial limitations,” said Sheroubi.

Still, the rewards continue to outweigh the challenges.

“The most rewarding part has been creating a space where people feel comfortable gathering, expressing themselves and connecting with one another,” said Sheroubi. “Seeing friends share their music, artwork and ideas in a supportive environment has been incredibly meaningful.”

As Downtown Jonesboro continues to evolve, Sheroubi believes Something Art Cafe offers something unique to the area’s growing culture.

“I believe Something Art Cafe adds a creative and welcoming platform for people from all backgrounds,” he said. “It represents the energy of discovering who you are while still feeling connected to a familiar and supportive environment.”

Looking ahead, the team hopes to continue expanding both the business and its impact on the local arts community. Plans include refreshing the cafe’s appearance, updating the menu, and eventually hosting even larger concerts, art shows and community events.

“We want to keep finding new ways to support local culture, creativity and community engagement,” said Sheroubi.

Something Art Cafe is located at 211 S. Main St. in Downtown Jonesboro. It is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may vary depending on events. To learn more about Something Art Cafe, call (870) 206-2715, or visit their Facebook page.