Record Lounge opens online shop to stay afloat during COVID-19 outbreak

WEDNESDAY, April 1 — Heather Frarey, owner of the vintage Reo Town vinyl store The Record Lounge, is staying home these days. One of her customer’s sons built her a website so she could keep up an online storefront during the coronavirus outbreak. She said that she received three orders right when the site went live.

“He needed some credit because he’s going to computer engineering school, so he said he’d make a website for me,” said Frarey. The Record Lounge also posts new inventory on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. She’s still ordering new records from distributors two times a week.

Frarey said that, since the state went on lockdown, most folks have preferred to order their records through the mail, though she does still offer delivery for local orders. “You know, people are scared,” she explained.

Regulars have still been messaging Frarey on Facebook, asking her questions like if the new Pearl Jam is available to buy. Frarey has been trying to get all of the new releases online, but the used records aren’t there quite yet. She emphasized that if someone wants a particular record — new or old — she can order it.

Other Record Lounge employees are keeping in touch with Frarey, too. She said, “Dean’s been with me for six years now. Every so often, we’ll reach out to each other just to see how everybody’s doing.”

She continued, “You’ve got to keep in touch with everybody. I’m going nuts not being able to talk to anybody.” Her husband still has to go to work at CATA, so Frarey spends a lot of time with her big English mastiff at home. She also keeps in close contact with her two kids, who live in New York.

“I’ve been cleaning the house, going on walks every day. Things to keep busy and keep my mind occupied,” said Frarey. Keeping the record store going gives her something to do while in lockdown. She takes regular trips to Fed-Ex to pick up record orders and maintains a charming social media presence, where she interacts with customers and posts updates about the store.

Frarey hopes that her store can open back up in time for Record Store Day, which is April 18.  “I know the president keeps saying something about opening up everything on Easter,” she said. “But I really don’t think that’s going to happen.”

She is referencing a Fox News interview where President Donald Trump claimed that he would “love to have the country up and raring to go by Easter.”

She explained, “At least, I wouldn’t feel comfortable going back and opening up and then, you still have doubts in your mind. What if someone comes in and they have something? There’s just too much to think about.”

The recent stimulus bill — signed by Trump last Friday — may provide The Record Lounge with some relief. Frarey has been looking at all of her options in an attempt to keep the business afloat. The bill provided over $2 trillion in relief for funds for businesses and employees affected by the coronavirus outbreak, though Frarey is unsure how much of that will go to helping out her record store.

“I’m gonna do what I can to get some aid,” she said. “Even if it’s a little bit, a little bit is better than nothing.” She said that she’s trying to remain hopeful. Receiving new orders from her online shop, keeping in contact with customers and fulfilling orders has helped keep her sane.

Of course, because she’s a lifelong music aficionado, Frarey had music recommendations. Working in record stores in the 1980s and ‘90s exposed her to the dreamy sounds of shoegaze. She said that she’s been listening to two recently reissued Cocteau Twins albums, “Four Calendar Café and Milk & Kisses.”

“I’m kinda stuck in that era right now,” said Frarey. “Maybe because it was a better time.”