Even Record Store Day looks a little different during the era of COVID-19
Timeless notes from Don Cherry’s trumpet reverberated inside Lunchbox Records as customers entered five at a time in an attempt to get their hands on limited edition vinyls this past Saturday. While Lunchbox normally stocks some limited edition releases, this was a particularly special day for vinyl lovers, as it was Record Store Day — a national day that celebrates local record stores across the country by releasing records that can’t be bought online or at stores like Urban Outfitters.
While Record Store Day is no new concept for Lunchbox, which has been participating in the nationwide event for 12 years, doing so with COVID-19 still looming in Charlotte was a whole other story. In previous years, some eager customers would secure a spot in line hours before the sun would rise over the turquoise building on Central Avenue. While there was still a sizable line by the time owner Scott Wishart arrived — around 50 socially-distanced-customers — the lack of lawn chairs from customers camping out the night prior was noticeable.
COVID-19 splits up Record Store Day
Normally Record Store Day takes place in April, with nearly 500 releases, but with COVID-19 forcing most small businesses to shutter their doors, the organization decided to move it to June. However by June, many stores were still not ready to open, which pushed the date back even further to August. To accommodate for social distancing and to ease the pressure on these local stores, the normal huge release of records was split up into three separate days: Aug. 29, Sept. 26, and Oct. 24.
Unsure of what to expect in August, the Lunchbox team took the time while closed during the early months of the pandemic to revamp its website to accommodate local customers who may have been wary to shop in person. “We never had an online store until this year so it was a little bit different, kind of a crash course. But [today] has been a lot smoother, and everything is still fresh since the last release was four weeks ago,” Wishart said.
Neatly organized on tables in the back of the store was a holy grail of records ranging from classics such as an alternate version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” to a special press of lullaby renditions of the Wu-Tang Clan’s most famous hits.
While there was a healthy stock of some records, including the one released by Fleetwood Mac, others were in incredibly limited quantity and were sold out within the first 20 minutes of opening the store.
Growing up on vinyl
Jason Kessler, who drove out from Concord, had a small handwritten list of records that he was hoping to get his hands on, and fortunately for him there was only one that eluded him. “I grew up listening to vinyl when my dad played [it], and my kids are listening to my vinyl now, so it’s kind of like carrying on this tradition and at the same time making sure that the music is something that stays important, Kessler said. “I like to make sure that these guys who are doing this keep doing it.”
For those who may be surprised that so many people would be willing to line up at 7 a.m. to buy vinyl, which is seemingly outdated with the largest catalog of music available at our fingertips on our phones, then you’re missing out on the resurgence. “I think a lot of it is a reaction to digital streaming and downloads, and (people) want something physical to connect them to the artist and the music,” Wishart said. There’s also a sense of nostalgia that’s tied to owning records and the emotion elicited by going to a record store and sorting through your favorite hits, hoping to find that one gem.
For some like Charlottean Torron Williams, records have always been in their lives. Gifted his first turntable for Christmas at 10 years old, Williams immediately fell in love with records but had a hard time finding them as streaming slowly became the king of music in the early ’00s. As interest in vinyl began to pick back up again, though, Williams’ interest was once again piqued and he started to collect his favorite albums.
He waited in line for nearly 45 minutes on Saturday to snag “Last Day of Summer” by Summer Walker. “I’ve been coming to Lunchbox for I don’t know how many years now. I love music, and this place always has a good selection, so why not support at the same time?” Williams said.
How long vinyl will last as a commodity in the eyes of the consumer is a question nobody can answer. However one thing is for certain, Lunchbox Records is here, its records are spinning, and as long as the community is in Charlotte, they say they will be, too.
If reading this has left you longing for days spent digging through records, this upcoming and final Record Store Day on Oct. 24 is the perfect opportunity to dive back into (or start your new) favorite past time. Both Lunchbox and Repo Records will be participating, leaving you two opportunities to get a hold of some classics.
