Downtown Phoenix record stores have been battling a changing music industry, a recession and a dying culture of passionate music listeners during the past few years, but those that have been fortunate enough to hang on pinpoint vinyl records and exceptional customer service as major roles in business survival.
“We have been fortunate enough to build a strong customer base for vinyl LPs that has sustained us through not only the recession, but through the difficulties the music industry is currently experiencing,” said co-owner TJ Jordan of Revolver Records, located on the southwest corner of Roosevelt and Second streets.
A proper location and offering special ordering for customers has been a big help for Stinkweeds, said owner Kimber Lanning. Stinkweeds is located next to a light-rail stop on Camelback and Central.
“We know our inventory really well (and) we have a specialized store,” Lanning said. “We don’t do any mainstream or top 40 music, but we can order those things for people and usually people are happy to have it ordered at no extra cost.”
That business model, coupled with a large inventory of vinyl, strong customer service and good turntable sales has done well, Lanning said.
“Our business model has certainly changed over the last 24 years, but we’re still thriving,” she said. “Because we have so many regular customers trading new, really good stuff, we have more people in here looking for that $7.99 CD that just came out three or four weeks ago.”
Revolver Records focuses on a similar principle, co-owner Jordan said.
“We focus on customer service, identifying who our customer is and pricing our product to move,” he said.
Not all area record stores, however, have been as fortunate in combating the troubles plaguing the industry over the past several years.
Eastside Records, a staple in Tempe, closed its doors at the end of 2010 after remaining in business for some 20 years without having to advertise beyond providing a stack of business cards near the cash register.
“The whole culture in general is a dying thing,” said Rob Nickla, a former Eastside employee. “You used to have to spend so much time searching for a record. You used to have to visit so many record stores and now you can just go to eBay and find it.”
DJs made up a large portion of those searching for unique and rare vinyl records at Eastside, but new technology changed the tools required to perform and offered new ways create music, Nickla said.
However, employees and owners of record stores said these digital replacements can’t compare to actual vinyl records.
“Anybody that’s got good ears knows that vinyl sounds better,” Lanning said. “I think they like the physical product (and) they like the artwork.”
And those vinyl aficionados are what Lanning and Jordan are hoping will keep their stores in business, even after iTunes becomes dated.
“I think there is always going to be a place for the real, true music fan,” Lanning said.
Contact the reporter at tebrook1@asu.edu
