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A Kelowna couple has decided to partner up with a collectibles shop in the city, giving record-lovers a new spot to get their vinyl fix.
Doogie and Rita Irvine have been actively collecting LPs and 45s since the ‘60s, garnering over 50,000 albums and singles along the way.
After decades of adding to and caring for their collection, the pair decided that they wanted to share the love and bolster their retirement fund by selling it off.
“We never made the complete switch to CDs,” said Reta. “The sound quality of vinyl is just so much better,” added Doogie.
“We just kept collecting albums and it was always our plan that when we retired to have our collection help fund it, so we are lucky it has come back in such a big way,” laughed Rita.
For the last 10 years, the Irvines have been traveling and setting up makeshift shop at vinyl fairs across the country, selling their beloved records to the new wave of waxheads.
But, the life of a nomadic record vendor can be tiring, which is why the couple has teamed up with Okanagan Sports Cards & Comics to create Back Room Records, an addition that store owner Gary Perrodou thought would be a “perfect fit.”
“They are excited, we are excited, so I think it will be a beneficial long-term venture for both of us,” said Perrodou
Rita also says the pair decided to jump into setting up shop after hearing the heartbreaking news about Milkcrate Records.
“We knew after Richard got evicted that Kelowna would only have one independent record shop,” said Doogie.
“That is why we figured it was time to get the records out there, to provide another source for collectors,” added Rita.
While Back Room may only be an eight-foot space at the back of another shop, it is bursting with vinyl treasure just waiting to be played on your turntable.
On the shelves, you’ll find vintage pressings of signature albums from prominent artists in a variety of genres.
Though predominantly made up of classic rock, bin-divers can get their hands on everything from heavy metal to synth-wave, country, blues and more, as well as unique and hard-to-find compilation records.
The albums are priced based on condition and press date, ranging anywhere from $10 to $50, there is also a $5 bargain bin for those albums with a few pops and crackles.
Back Room Records is located at 1795 Harvey Ave, they are open from 9 am until 5:30 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on restock days and new arrivals.
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