JULY 2, 2009 ISSUE
641rpm Record Store Hosts Grand Opening Saturday
Store to Feature Lots of Vinyl, Live Music
621rpm co-owner Kevin Freeman hopes to bring back the old school record store vibe with Boone’s newest reord store. Photo by Dave BrewerIt’s hard to get a straight answer out of either Travis Reyes or Kevin Freeman. The pair, both fixtures on the downtown Boone music scene for years in various capacities, have a sarcastic streak a mile wide. But Reyes and Freeman are both very serious about one thing, and that’s music.
Reyes and Freeman are so serious in fact that they decided to become business partners and open up Boone’s newest independent music store. Dubbed 641rpm, the store is located at 641 King Street in the Boone Mini Mall, taking the place of the recently closed Green Eggs & Jam music store and Grapevine Music before that.
641rpm will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, July 4, with festivities beginning at 11:00 a.m. and lasting throughout the day. Reyes and Freeman will be grilling hot dogs and spinning tunes throughout the day. At approximately 5:00 p.m., the grand opening celebration will kick into high gear as Naked Gods, The Karloffs and Human Pippi Armstrong christen 641rpm’s new stage. The celebration is free of charge.
While Reyes and Freeman said they’ve been thinking about having their own store since watching music store movie High Fidelity, the pair began organizing the new venture in May when Green Eggs & Jam owner Stacy Peek expressed interest in selling the business. As for experience, the pair have spent years working behind the counters of Fat Cats Music & Video, Grapevine Music and Green Eggs & Jam.
“We pretty much grew up in record stores,” Freeman said.
641rpm is located in the spot formerly occuped by Green Eggs and Jam. Photo by Dave Brewer
According to Reyes, the store will cast a wider musical net than its predecessor, Green Eggs & Jam, with a vast array of artists and genres to choose from. In addition to offering a more varied selection, both new business partners want the store to be a throwback to the days of old when record stores were centers for listeners to relax, leisurely browse through the inventory and get to know the staff. When not hosting live music, the stage will serve as the store’s listening lounge, replete with comfy couches where the listening can relax while absorbing new music.
“We want it to be a hub where people can hang out—like record stores used to be where you could lose yourself for five hours,” said Reyes.
One of 641rpm’s best features will be its vast selection of vinyl. Both lovers of albums old and new, Reyes and Freeman are thrilled that sales of actual records continue to rise.
“I would say that our record selection is our high point,” said Freeman. “Especially our Molly Hatchet section.”
However, customers who don’t have turntables won’t be disappointed. The store will carry plenty of CDs and more and will be happy to fill special orders for items not in stock.
“We’re going to have all types of media—from eight track to cassettes,” said Reyes. “We’re analog people in a post-digital world.”
In the coming months, 641rpm will stock several independent music magazines and will continue to host live music from a variety of local, regional and national bands.
To contact the store, click to www.641rpm.com or email 641rpm@gmail.com.
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