With vinyl sales on the rise,
Goner Records finds its groove

By Kelsey Semien/MicroMemphis reporter

2/21/2013 - Goner Records is riding a trend that has popped up over the past decade. After inheriting the business from a mutual friend in 2004, Eric Friedl and Zach Ives turned 2152 Young Ave into Goner Records. "We both love records so it seemed natural to build on what our friend had already started," says Friedl. 

The store offers thousands of different vinyl records and CDs for the music lover. The small record shop creates a huge atmosphere with its different album covers displayed throughout the store. There is even an area at the back of the store where people can listen to whatever record they are interested in buying. 

"People who know about it [the store] come in for the records and the environment. Its a cool place to come and there's always music playing," says Chris Crawford; a Goner Records Regular. Crawford enjoys CDs and vinyl records in oppose to MP3s. He says he's into every type of music, especially progressive, rock, and jazz.

According to the Neisen Wire, "Vinyl sales increased 37 percent in the beginning of 2011 over the same period last year.  Vinyl sales also rose 14.2 percent in 2010, although they only accounted for 1.2 percent of physical sales." 

Although the store is no bigger than a shotgun house, it reaches music fans al over the world through its website. Many of their sales are made online. 

Unlike downloading an MP3, buying a CD or a record gives you a personal feel for the artist. With an MP3 you have a thumbnail if that, but with a CD or an album you have artwork, pictures, and notes about each song. Goner Records is one of a handful of record shops still open in Memphis. 

"I kind of feel like the MP3 culture is destroying the art of records and CDs," says Crawford.