Village Vinyl Thrives in Coolidge Corner

By Celina Colby

Longtime Brookline resident Jonathan Sandler has had a special connection to record shops his whole life. In the early ‘90s, he worked in a record store, and later met his wife in Flipside Records on Beacon Street. Now, he runs Village Vinyl & Hi-Fi on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner.

The shop opened in Brookline Village in 2017 and has been growing ever since. “We’re definitely on most record shoppers’ routes,” says Sandler. “We appeal to lots of different types of record buyers. We have shoppers that other people don’t have. We try to be strong in all genres; we try to make the experience as pleasant and as pleasurable as possible.”

Sandler speculates that records have been resurging in popularity for a few different reasons. First off, the sound quality is higher than electronic streaming. Second, sitting and listening to a record is an experience that requires physical and mental presence and engagement on the part of the listener. In a world where constant streams of media blend together, taking a moment to really enjoy an album, rather than just playing it on your commute or during your workout, is a rare and special experience.

Village Vinyl offers a wide spectrum of genres and musical eras, from the newly released Tame Impala album to Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix and some local bands as well. But, according to their website, no Perry Como. Papa apparently no longer loves mambo. Sandler keeps such an array stocked to bring in a wide customer base. You never know what record hunters are looking for in the store. Seriously, sometimes people will buy wild stuff. Sandler recalls a time he sold a completely mold-covered private press jazz record online for $100. “I want to be the go-to, I don’t want to be known just for one genre,” says Sandler. Even if that genre is white and fuzzy.

When choosing where to open the shop, Brookline was a no brainer for Sandler. “I have a fondness for Brookline,” he says.” I’ve lived here for 30 plus years. I love this town; I never want to leave.” It also helps that Brookliners are both musically savvy and dedicated to shopping local, allowing a small business like Sandler’s to thrive.

Sandler’s passion for music and records is what drives the business. Part of the reason he opened the shop is that his own stockpile of records was growing at an excessive rate. “Someone brought in Truth and Soul by Fishbone, which I’ve been playing nonstop in the store, it’s one of my favorite albums,” he says. When he’s not sharing his favorite bands via turntable in the shop, Sandler often has local DJs come and play on the weekends. Occasionally bands will stop by for in-store jam sessions and record signings as well.

In that way, Sandler has created a community hangout spot as much as a store. Whether you’re looking to hear some low-key live music, to purchase old stereo parts to use for repairs, or to fight for Perry Como’s legacy, you can do it at Village Vinyl & Hi-Fi.

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