Amjad Doumani, owner of B-Bop Records, has tapped into what he calls the “vinyl resurgence” and opened a brick and mortar version of his online music store.
In the modern world of MP3s and iPods, Doumani said he still believes vinyl has a place.
“[Vinyl] involves some sort of interaction. Whereas on the computer with MP3 files, all you do is push a button and go about doing what you’re doing. People can easily stop listening to music and it just becomes a background noise,” he said.
B-Bop Records first started out as a brick and mortar store in 1987 before closing in 1994 and going online the following year. The first store mostly specialized in alternative CDs and vinyl records.
Best Buy and Media Play’s low-priced CDs were part of what forced B-Bop online.
“We could not compete with those kind of prices. It costs us more to buy wholesale a CD than they would be selling at retail,” Doumani said.
Amjad Doumani opened the first B-Bop Records location in 1987. A grand opening celebration for the new store is set for March 26-31.
Doumani kept his first store in mind throughout the years.
“In my heart and in the back of my mind, I always wanted to reopen the store,” he said. “What was driving me to reopen was that I missed the contact with the public, having a relationship with clientele.”
In late 2011, Doumani worked as the fundraising manager for the Lucas County Green Party’s city council candidates. He realized the space the group rented at 137 N. Michigan St., might be perfect for a store.
“When the campaign was over, we got to talking [and said] ‘This is a beautiful space, but it’s way too big for an office,’” Doumani said.
The result is Third Space, shared by B-Bop, the Lucas County Green Party and the Media Decompression Collective, which offers screenings of films on political, social and environmental issues. Third Space is also available for meetings, gatherings and events. The new, cheery yellow store now specializes in secondhand collectibles, vinyl, CDs and other memorabilia.
“In the very near future, we’re planning on delving into new vinyl, but vinyl only. We may order new CDs, most likely on a special order basis, and we’re not gonna carry any Top 40 stuff you hear on the radio,” Doumani said.
The store has been open since late January, but will have its grand opening celebration March 26-31. B-Bop Records will offer 20 percent off all purchases throughout the week. Doumani has also organized a lineup of artists for the week, made possible through his Toledo connections.
“Even though I closed the store in ’94, I never stopped being involved in the community. Through the arts and activism and over the years, I’ve built a lot of connections,” he said.
Donations are accepted, but the free events include:
- Poet T. Miller will sell and sign copies of her new book “Coming Out of Nowhere” at an open mic event at 7 p.m. March 26.
- Area DJs Todd Perrine and DJ Psycho will spin tunes 7 p.m. March 27.
- The Media Decompression Collective and Miserable City present films celebrating Toledo’s art scene at “Toledo Art: Past, Present & Future” at 7 p.m. March 28.
- Puppeteer Joyce Davis presents “Who’s in Rabbit’s House?” an interactive, all-ages story 7:30 p.m. March 29.
- Slumberjack, a Toledo singer-songwriter, and Nadwy Auddy, an emcee, jam at 7 and 8:30 p.m. respectively March 30.
- Artist Melanie Harris has her opening reception and exhibit kickoff 4 p.m. March 31 with light appetizers.
- Soul Fingers, a jazz/blues act, plays at 7 p.m. March 31 followed by The Socialist Party at 8:30 p.m. and Phantom Limb Syndrome at 10 p.m.
B-Bop Records is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit http://www.thirdspacetoledo.org or www.bboprecords.com.
