“When I first opened my store, vinyl was making a comeback.”
John Thompson, owner of The Record Centre on Wellington St., is a vinyl record expert. Thompson has spent the last thirty years buying, selling and enjoying his collection of records and audio equipment. His inventory at the store, which opened in 2011, has grown to more than 300,000 used records.
Before Thompson opened a store of his own, he had spent 10 years on eBay selling his used vinyl and audio gear. He would also accumulate experience by helping out at one of his friends’ record stores before deciding to buy out the business in 2010.
“For years, (vinyl records) had been pushed back by CD and then downloads,” Thompson said. “I specialize in used vinyl … so I was well positioned for the big vinyl comeback.”
Vinyl records have experienced something of a renaissance over the past few years. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), vinyl records outpaced CD’s in sales in 2023 with a total of 43 million units sold compared to 37 million for CD’s. This is only the second time since 1987 that this has happened.
Upon walking into The Record Centre, it’s like stepping into a musical time capsule. Plenty of music memorabilia lined the walls, including some framed classic albums from an eclectic group of legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Nirvana. A bin of records is placed in the front with a fluorescent yellow sign that reads: “Used Vinyl – New Arrivals.”
For Gen Z, vinyl records are something of a new arrival for a generation that is technologically inclined. A new generation of vinyl collectors are seeking the format for its vintage quality and sound.
Avery Mcwhorter, a 23-year-old employee at The Record Centre, was introduced to vinyl 10 years ago by her father. While her collection is small, Mcwhorter said she enjoys the experience of collecting and listening to music at the store.
“It’s been very nice to have the opportunity to expand my knowledge here with people I feel really comfortable around,” Mcwhorter said. “It’s a very nice and comfortable workplace and never too high stress. It’s nice to just be able to listen to music all day, I mean who wouldn’t want to do that?”
With a vinyl comeback in full swing, Thompson believes his store stands out from the crowd.
“We have a well curated used vinyl section, a staff of passionate music lovers and we boast one of the best websites in Canada with 45,000 LPs and almost 750,000 visitors in 2024.”
