Plymouth Rocks Again at Cousins Vinyl

As a kid, my older cousin John used to take me to local music stores like Sam’s Jams, Off the Record, Peaches and that one next to the (before Repeat the Beat moved in). We’d spend hours flipping through rows of albums searching racks of the latest U.S. bootlegs, U.K. new wave and European import records.  Though the music of that era still lives on, those places to shop unfortunately do not.

But now I find Plymouth is bringing that nostalgic soundtrack back with, appropriately enough, . The store specializes in the resale of LPs, EPs, 78’s and 45’s they carry classic rock, pop, dance, jazz, soul, rap, reggae, funk, blues, bluegrass and any other genre that’ll spin on your turnable. It's also economical, carrying more than 20,000 records in the store for only $1 each.

The Family That Plays Music Together ...

It all started with co-owners and cousins Geoff Anderson, Justin Meyers and a common passion for music. 

“I really think it's in our blood,” Anderson said. “Justin and I compliment each other and we’re both very driven and committed to making this business work.”

More than a decade ago, they began browsing and buying up record collections from around the area. Justin went to auctions and Geoff hit the garage sales. With a basement overstuffed with albums, they decided to open their own place in 2002.

“I work full-time at the store,” Meyers said. "Handling the day-to-day operations and our online sales.”

Anderson takes care of the marketing side of things, the advertising, events, and the cousinsvinyl.com blog. 

“Where Justin tends to be a little more conservative, I often have new ideas  that might be more high-risk and high-reward," Anderson said. "It’s really a good balance. I love the creativity and freedom that goes along with developing a small business.”

The 3-Headed Music Monster

The cousins call the store their “The 3-Headed Monster" because it includes their walk-in dollar store, their online store and the Cousins Vinyl website with listings of upcoming events. 

Anderson points out that Cousins Vinyl, located on Eckles Road near Schoolcraft, may not have the pretty Main Street storefront but this is where die-hard music aficionados will locate their holy grail of tunes.

“We may be off the beaten trail, but you're going to find some gems at really good prices,” he said. “We're in an old industrial park that's almost impossible to find unless you've been here before. The true record diggers appreciate us for that though -- it's all part of the experience.”

If you’re unable to visit the actual store (and be prepared to spend a few hours going through all the stock if you do) you can also check out their website to search their merchandise.

“We’re not a traditional bricks and mortar store, since you can also shop Cousins Vinyl online through Ebay,” Meyers said. 

Anderson also regularly updates a blog of upcoming events, like the semi-monthly gig at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti called “Halcyon Sundaze," where they sell records and DJs spin a variety of music.

“I also write about obscure local records that we find.  I'll get emails from the artists or one of their family members that is thrilled that someone still cares about a song they cut years ago and not many people have listened to since then,” Anderson said. “It’s all part of developing and expanding the brand of Cousins Vinyl.”

Sell Your Song For A Price

Where most resale record stores will rummage through your stack and decide which to pick and leave you with what they don’t want, Cousin’s Vinyl are rare in that they prefer to buy large, complete collections.

“Buying records is a very competitive market, so we've always paid well and bought in bulk which appeals to a lot of people.” Anderson said. “I love meeting and talking with everyone I buy from. Most love reminiscing about the good old days.”

And yes, he has some entertaining stories about what forgotten personal treasures they’ve found tucked away in old record sleeves.  Everything from poems to postcards, maps to parties, a picture of a hippie high school sweetheart couple, adult magazines and even a signed Elvis impersonator photo.

The Final Cut

An old stereophonic turntable lets you listen to any album that catches your eye and ear in the store.

“Feel free to sit back, relax and play what you picked out before you buy,” Anderson said. “It’s all in the thrill of the hunt -- it’s like the records will find you.”

Yeah, now I think it’s my turn to take my cousin John to a really cool record store.