Just for the record
Speakertree Records owner Tim Condon buys and sells collectible vinyls
Music is an art form, a passion and even a hobby. However, when describing music as an art form, most people probably do not think of collecting vinyl records. For Tim Condon, owner of Speakertree records, collecting vinyl is a hobby that blossomed into a passion and has become his dream job.
Hobby— Owner Tim Condon took an interest in vinyls as a teen. Photo credit: Lauren Adriance
Located at 522 Fifth St., Lynchburg, Virginia, Speakertree records first opened its doors in 2008. But it was not until February of 2014 that Condon bought the shop.
“I was friends with the people that worked here before, so it just presented itself, and I thought it was the perfect timing,” Condon said.
Condon had an interest in vinyl as a teenager, and now he pursues his hobby as a means of enjoyment and employment.
According to Condon, the shop was not doing well when he bought it. But people were interested enough in buying records that the shop excelled for the first few months under his ownership.
“The first three months we were doing awesome,” Condon said. “I had no idea that we could make that much money. Then it just slowly (died) down, and then it (was) just kind of like a roller coaster. You have the good weeks and the bad weeks.”
Speakertree is home to a variety of music with genres ranging from classic to rock, pop and folk. Artists include the Beatles, Michael Jackson and The Civil Wars.
“(We sell) a little of everything,” Condon said. “We try to get everyone’s input. I have a notebook that I keep in the store and anyone that doesn’t see something that they wish they would see, then I just try and get in a little of everything and make everybody happy.”
Speakertree receives the majority of its vinyl from distributors. Some of the used vinyl the shop buys come from people that come into the shop and are looking to sell their records.
“So far I haven’t really had to seek people out, because there are constantly people coming in selling their old records,” Condon said.
Price ranges on vinyl tend to vary depending on who the band is and the condition of the record.
“We have a dollar bin and then prices go up (on the higher end) to like $180,000,” Condon said.
There is a nostalgia that vinyl has that draws people in, Condon said. Unlike with CDs and downloadable music, people like vinyl because it is tangible, and once someone has started buying, it can become addictive.
“You’re committed to it once you start listening,” Condon said. “It’s not something in the background like putting a mix together on your iPod and just forgetting about it. You’re more involved when you’re listening to (records), so I think that’s what I like about it.”
In addition to vinyl, Speakertree also sells T-shirts, cassette tapes and a limited amount of CDs.
According to Condon, the life blood of Speakertree is the customers that frequent the shop each week.
“(The frequent customers) are really (the ones) that keep the place open,” Condon said. “I mean, we have people that come in like three times a week and buy records.”
Speakertree hosts small concerts in the shop featuring local upcoming artists from time to time.
“We have different bands play and then we’ll have bands from Richmond, Charlottesville and Roanoke as well,” Condon said. “And if (there is) anyone that we hear about that is passing through (then) we’ll try and get them to play as well.”
Bands that have performed at Speakertree this year include Native Spirit, Fin, Missionaries and Eureka California.
Speakertree is open Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday – Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on Speakertree music store, visit facebook.com/speakertreerecords.
BUNNER is a feature reporter.