After a decade in business, The Vinyl Frontier in Carrollton is still spinning strong and continuing to grow in new ways.
The business was started in 2016 by co-owners Trey Carter and Nick West, opening during Mayfest after months of preparing inventory and getting the store ready. What began as a passion project has since grown into one of Carrollton’s most recognizable independent businesses, now holding an estimated 40,000 records packed throughout the shop.
West recently reflected on the store’s 10-year journey, calling the milestone hard to believe.
One of the biggest changes over the past year has been expanding into online sales, something the store had avoided for years outside of occasional eBay listings. Since launching online ordering, their business has surged, bringing both new customers and new challenges.
“It’s awesome to have the extra business,” West said. “But it’s a lot of work. Hiring new people, daily runs to the post office, all of that.”
Over the years, the store itself has evolved alongside the business. West joked that old couches have disappeared to make room for more CDs and records as inventory has continued growing.
Opening the shop nearly 10 years ago was far from easy. West said they originally hoped to open for Record Store Day in April 2016 but missed the deadline and then pushed to open in time for Mayfest. He remembers staying up all night pricing records and scrambling to get everything ready before opening day.
Now 31 years old, West says owning a business has taught him plenty about perseverance and handling challenges that come with entrepreneurship.
“Most people are awesome,” he said. “You just can’t let the difficult situations get to you. Just keep going.”
Over the years, Carrollton has seen other record stores come and go, but The Vinyl Frontier has remained a staple for collectors and music fans across West Georgia. West believes passion and persistence have played a major role in the store’s success.
“When we first started, a lot of people weren’t sure a record store would work here,” he said. “But I think doing what you love is the biggest thing.”
Ten years later The Vinyl Frontier continues growing while helping keep vinyl culture alive in Carrollton.
The Vinyl Frontier is located at 114 Alabama Street in Downtown Carrollton.
