Country band frontman to open used record store on Tacoma’s Antique Row
Get your turntable ready. A new record store is coming to downtown Tacoma.
Armchair Boogie Records is expected to open early next month on Antique Row, sharing a space with Savoy Special Vintage at 740 Broadway.
It’s fair to say store owner and local musician Matt Kimball knows a thing or two about what he’s selling.
In addition to releasing a vinyl-only album with his band the Kimball Superstars earlier this year, Kimball worked at Hi-Voltage Records & Books for nearly 11 years, before deciding to open his own store.
“I didn’t really want to [sell] new records anymore. I’m just focusing on used,” Kimball said. “[My store] is gonna be smaller, more curated, but also have a good selection of everything.”
That means the racks inside Armchair Boogie Records won’t be filled to the brim, but will be more manageable. Kimball said he appreciates record stores where you can sift through the whole catalog in under 30 minutes.
Being the frontman of a country band, Kimball said he plans to carry those types of records, plus jazz and blues.
“Those aren’t the things that everyone’s coming in for, but …when you go into a lot of stores, [those genres] are really under-represented,” Kimball said.
As for the store’s name, Kimball said he was inspired by the 1971 album “Armchair Boogie” by folk singer Michael Hurley.
Kimball said he plans for the store to have the same hours as Savoy Special Vintage: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays.
He also has hopes for in-store live music, featuring his band and other local musicians.
Armchair Boogie Records has an online store for those who can’t wait until next month. The online inventory includes records from artists like Pearl Jam, The White Stripes and Alice In Chains. Kimball said he’ll also do house calls.
“There’ll be something for everybody at the store, but it’s also going to be a reflection of my taste somewhat,” Kimball said.
