Local record store prepares to take part in national Record Store Day for the first time

SALISBURY, Md. – For years, Record Store Day has allowed record shops across the country to celebrate music with their customers through sales and new music releases. But this year – the event is even more important because small record stores need the business now more than ever during the pandemic. “If you’re a brick and mortar mom and pop kind of store you count on those days that you know are going to be big sale days,” said co-owner of Kaiju Records Shawn Roberts.

Record Store Day kicks off on Saturday, August 29th. Roberts says it’ll bring a helpful boost to the business, which opened its doors only about a year and a half ago. “The best part about having a record store and the best part about there being record stores is it’s a place where people who really love music can come and congregate even in small little groups,” said Roberts.

Roberts tells 47ABC that this will be the first time his store takes part in the national event. With that increase in business comes preparations to deal with high numbers amid a global pandemic. He says that customers will be asked to wear masks and keep apart from one another. “I expect there to be more people than my store can hold at a comfortable social distancing level. Hopefully people will understand that they need to just wait their turn,” said Roberts.

This year Record Store Day will take place in three parts. The first new music drop day is this Saturday, August 29th. The next two dates will be September 26th and October 24th. Roberts says no matter what day of the year it is – he’s always happy to share the love for music with his community.