MONROE - Record collectors and vinyl enthusiasts in Monroe have long had few places nearby to pursue their hobby.
One month ago, however, an oasis in Monroe's vinyl desert appeared in a basement just off the downtown Square, when Misfit Records Plus opened.
The shop's proprietor, Scott Stephenson, said he had sold records in Freeport for a time before moving to Monroe to open a permanent store.
"I just saw more potential here," Stephenson said, citing a "more robust" retail environment than in Freeport.
Located in the basement of 1107 17th Ave., Misfit Records carries an ever-changing selection of hundreds of vinyl records of all genres, along with an assortment of knick-knacks and furniture.
Although the furniture in the store often sells quickly, Stephenson said many people come into the store looking for specific records.
Stephenson said he collected records for years, "but now I just want to sell them."
"Years ago, when people were getting rid of their albums, I was buying them," Stephenson said. "And now, albums are coming back and people want to buy them again."
Even though Stephenson acknowledged that the vinyl revival is still a somewhat niche market, particularly in rural areas, he said he wants the store to become "even more niche" by adding more records.
Not that the store is in danger of running out of wares, Stephenson said. He estimated that he has enough material in storage to fill the store five times over.
Before selling records in Freeport, Stephenson was a computer technician at his own business in Illinois. Before that, he ran a taxi service.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been working for myself," Stephenson said.
Currently, Stephenson is the sole person working at Misfit Records, which is only open Thursdays through Sundays.
"We were originally open seven days a week, but I realized that weekdays were pretty slow," Stephenson said.
Unfortunately, being open on weekends means Stephenson can't visit weekend yard sales or estate sales, which is where he finds much of his merchandise. Stephenson plans to eventually expand the shop and hire additional employees but said he prefers to go slowly.
"I don't want to expand too quickly," he said, although he added, musing, "the shop on the first floor has been vacant for some time."
Stephenson said he is also considering buying new software to keep a better catalogue of his stock but isn't sure if the added efficiency would be an improvement.
"Part of the fun is in looking through everything to find something," Stephenson said. "If you can just pull up a computer to find what you're looking for, there's no point."
Stephenson added that people who spend more time in a store tend to buy more.
Although Stephenson describes the record market as niche, he noted that people of all ages have come in seeking records, and that one of the most hotly requested items is a record player.
"I'm working on getting some of those," Stephenson said. "I have a couple in storage, but I'm not sure that they're in working condition right now."
Until then, Stephenson said he'll keep updating Misfits' selection.
"We'll have a new inventory every week," Stephenson promised.
One month ago, however, an oasis in Monroe's vinyl desert appeared in a basement just off the downtown Square, when Misfit Records Plus opened.
The shop's proprietor, Scott Stephenson, said he had sold records in Freeport for a time before moving to Monroe to open a permanent store.
"I just saw more potential here," Stephenson said, citing a "more robust" retail environment than in Freeport.
Located in the basement of 1107 17th Ave., Misfit Records carries an ever-changing selection of hundreds of vinyl records of all genres, along with an assortment of knick-knacks and furniture.
Although the furniture in the store often sells quickly, Stephenson said many people come into the store looking for specific records.
Stephenson said he collected records for years, "but now I just want to sell them."
"Years ago, when people were getting rid of their albums, I was buying them," Stephenson said. "And now, albums are coming back and people want to buy them again."
Even though Stephenson acknowledged that the vinyl revival is still a somewhat niche market, particularly in rural areas, he said he wants the store to become "even more niche" by adding more records.
Not that the store is in danger of running out of wares, Stephenson said. He estimated that he has enough material in storage to fill the store five times over.
Before selling records in Freeport, Stephenson was a computer technician at his own business in Illinois. Before that, he ran a taxi service.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been working for myself," Stephenson said.
Currently, Stephenson is the sole person working at Misfit Records, which is only open Thursdays through Sundays.
"We were originally open seven days a week, but I realized that weekdays were pretty slow," Stephenson said.
Unfortunately, being open on weekends means Stephenson can't visit weekend yard sales or estate sales, which is where he finds much of his merchandise. Stephenson plans to eventually expand the shop and hire additional employees but said he prefers to go slowly.
"I don't want to expand too quickly," he said, although he added, musing, "the shop on the first floor has been vacant for some time."
Stephenson said he is also considering buying new software to keep a better catalogue of his stock but isn't sure if the added efficiency would be an improvement.
"Part of the fun is in looking through everything to find something," Stephenson said. "If you can just pull up a computer to find what you're looking for, there's no point."
Stephenson added that people who spend more time in a store tend to buy more.
Although Stephenson describes the record market as niche, he noted that people of all ages have come in seeking records, and that one of the most hotly requested items is a record player.
"I'm working on getting some of those," Stephenson said. "I have a couple in storage, but I'm not sure that they're in working condition right now."
Until then, Stephenson said he'll keep updating Misfits' selection.
"We'll have a new inventory every week," Stephenson promised.