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Oasis of the past

People old and young immersed in nostalgia at Vintage & Vinyl

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The vinyl album is alive and selling well at the new Vintage & Vinyl at 326 Center St. in New Ulm. Customers of all ages are buying music in vintage media and formats.

NEW ULM– A new musical getaway has opened at Center and German Street called Vintage & Vinyl.

Those stepping into the store will feel like they have wandered into the past. The store has a retro design, giving visitors a nostalgic feeling of entering record shops of yesteryear.

Co-owner and manager Dani Sowers describes the business as an “oasis for music lovers.”

The shop features vintage music in multiple formats across all genres, from rock ‘n’ roll and country to hip hop and rap.

Alongside records, tapes and CDs, the store also sells vintage toys and music-themed art. Several portraits of famous musical artists — all drawn by Ryan Cook of Lucid Paints — are available for purchase.

rStaff photo by Clay Schuldt Vintage & Vinyl store manager and co-owner Dani Sowers stands in the portrait corner of the shop, with a vintage jukebox serving as the centerpiece. In addition to physical media music, the store sells art connected to music.

The store also has an expansive lobby area for people to hang out and talk about music.

Sowers said there is a need for a music store in New Ulm. After New Ulm’s previous vintage music store Johnny B. Good’s closed, Sowers sought to open a new store at a different location.

Vintage & Vinyl has been open for a little more than two weeks, but the shop has already generated a base of regular customers. Certain customers come in every few days to see what has been added to the collection.

From the beginning, vinyl records are the top-selling items. What is surprising is the vinyl is purchased by teenagers and senior citizens alike.

Sowers said one of the fun parts of the job is seeing customers from two different age groups combing through the records together and discussing music.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Dani Sowers stands at the front desk at Vintage & Vinyl, a new store in New Ulm celebrating retro music and vintage toys.

Much of the music sold at Vintage & Vinyl was acquired from third parties over the years. Some of the records came from thrift stores or estate sales and others were brought in by customers. The shop offers cash or store credits on music trade-in if the item is in good condition.

There are also record players in the store if a customer wants to test music before buying. The lobby space includes a listening lounge and even a couple of stand-up arcade games.

Vintage & Vinyl is a music store that invites in to stay and enjoy the groove.

Store hours are 10-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Starting at $4.50/week.

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