The Vinyl Revolution: A Beloved Record Store Spins into a New Era

There’s something undeniably, gloriously tactile about holding an album in your hands, isn't there? That weighty gatefold, the smell of fresh vinyl, the ritual of dropping the needle – it’s an experience that streaming, for all its convenience, simply can't quite replicate. And in a rather beautiful twist of fate, this enduring magic of physical music, especially vinyl, is experiencing an astonishing, frankly heartwarming, resurgence. It’s against this vibrant backdrop that a beloved New England institution, Turn It Up!, finds itself entering a captivating new chapter.

For years, decades even, this place has been a haven for music lovers, a vibrant, sprawling treasure trove of sounds, from the rarest LPs to the latest indie gems. Now, after thirty years of steering the ship, founder Tod H. Taylor has passed the torch. But not just to anyone, oh no. The keys to the kingdom, you could say, have been handed over to David H. Lewis, a man who has poured his heart and soul into Turn It Up! since 1994, practically growing up among the towering stacks of CDs and vinyl. It happened quietly, on October 31st, 2023, a transaction that feels less like a corporate takeover and more like a cherished inheritance.

You see, this isn't merely a change of ownership; it's a symbolic passing of the baton in an industry that many had, perhaps prematurely, written off. Tod Taylor, who kicked off this musical adventure in 1993 in Northampton, Massachusetts, always had a knack for curating the kind of place where you could spend hours just... exploring. He plans to gracefully retire in early 2025, leaving his legacy in remarkably capable hands – hands that, let's be honest, have been sorting through and selling music for nearly as long as the stores have existed.

But why now? Well, the timing, it must be said, is pretty much perfect. We’re in the midst of what’s been affectionately dubbed a 'turntable turnaround.' Honestly, it's quite astonishing: in 2022, for the first time in 35 years, vinyl album sales actually surpassed those of CDs. People are rediscovering, or perhaps discovering for the very first time, the joy of a tangible music collection. The artwork, the liner notes, the very act of choosing an album and placing it on a turntable – it’s a deliberate, immersive experience, a stark contrast to the endless, often overwhelming, scroll of digital playlists.

David Lewis, the new proprietor, isn’t just an employee; he's a true believer in the power of physical media. His journey with Turn It Up! began in the early days, and over the years, he’s seen the industry ebb and flow, from the CD boom to the digital download frenzy, and now, gloriously, back to vinyl. He’s got big plans, too, for the three existing locations – Northampton, Brattleboro, Vermont, and Keene, New Hampshire. We're talking about expanding inventory, perhaps even a move for the flagship Northampton store to a bigger, even more inviting space. He understands, profoundly, that these aren’t just stores; they’re community hubs, places where music lovers connect, discover, and share their passions.

In an age where everything is instant and often ephemeral, the resurgence of physical media, particularly records, offers a much-needed anchor. It’s a commitment, a conscious choice to slow down and truly engage with the art. And honestly, for places like Turn It Up!, run by folks like David Lewis who genuinely live and breathe music, this isn't just business – it's a continuation of a cultural heartbeat. Here’s to many more years of spinning records, finding forgotten gems, and celebrating the enduring magic of music, one tangible album at a time.