Jupiter Records

Are you looking for that original copy of Buckingham Nicks? Or how about a Mr. Bill keychain? What – you don’t know who Mr. Bill is? I’m sure the store’s owner Steve Zimmerman will be happy to tell you.

A mainstay of the community for over eight years, Jupiter Records has the usual treasure trove of vinyl to dive into. A quick glance of their inventory, and you’ll see such classics as Van Halen’s self-titled debut, Freddie King’s Feeling For The Blues, and T-Rex’s Electric Warrior. You’ll also find a few surprises, like Ozzy’s 1988 No Rest for the Wicked (my favorite record store never has that!). It doesn’t matter if your musical tastes follow rock, bass, punk, or hip hop – you’ll find something you’ve been looking for. You’ll also find things you didn’t know you were looking for (like a Mr. Bill keychain!).

Speaking about things you may never know you were looking for, but which find their way to you, that’s sometimes what Steve Zimmerman encounters when purchasing a used collection. It can be like stepping into an episode of the Twilight Zone.

“Recently, we acquired a collection of 2000+ LPs and 2000+ CDs from a lifetime collector who ONLY collected records/CDs with Bee Gees cover songs,” Zimmerman says. “He traveled the world, and we ended up with piles of weird records from Malaysia, South Africa, Norway, Thailand, New Zealand, and more.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued enough to want to hear a Malaysian cover of “Nights on Broadway” (try to get the original out of your head now after reading this).

Zimmerman’s love of vinyl has never wavered. It’s why he opened his store and why he’s not surprised there’s been an uptick – a significant uptick – in interest over the last few years. He’ll be the first to tell you to go out there and support your local record store. That’s where you’ll find a few surprises and a few old friends. But don’t be afraid to explore things you’ve never heard of or even knew existed. As he says. “Go down musical rabbit holes whenever you can.”

Words to live by.