Dec. 9—In the summer of 2019, Chris Lamb’s record shop — and 30 years worth of collected records — burned down in a fire.
Lamb recalled losing Avalon Records, a well-known shop in the downtown area Bellingham, Washington, as the devastating experience.
“I was about to come into my own. I has been about to pay it off to the old owner. Store was doing good. And then, a literal needle scratch scene change, ” Lamb said while making the noise of the record scratch.
Lamb, originally from Yakima, Washington, worked at record stores since high school and was unsure if he ever wanted to sell vinyl again.
But after moving to Astoria plus trying his hand at a few other jobs, Lamb was ready to get back in the game when an opportunity arose. In November, this individual launched The Lonely Crab Record Shop on Commercial Street.
The new shop offers new and used information of all genres, report players, posters and other related items.
While taking requests, Lamb will try in order to stock a bit of everything for both the avid plus interested collectors.
“It’s hard to have everything in this day and age. If people want something, they can get on the internet and find it, ” he or she said. “I will try to have a broad selection of not only what’s popular, but what I think is cool, because one associated with the things I love about the record store experience is the exchange of ideas and enthusiasm. inch
Lamb also plans in order to offer a variety of musical gear — strings, drumsticks, picks, mic stands and “all the bits and bobs, everything short of an instrument, ” he said, noting that their shop sits between two active music venues — The Haunt and Labor Temple Diner and Bar.
“If I can have something for the local and the working musician — it’s one associated with the points I identified as a thing this town needs, inches he said. “There are lots of places to buy records, there are lots of places to get good records, but a proper record store experience is not fully realized in this particular town yet, so I’m hoping to do that. ”
Lamb furthermore sells crystals, another passion of his. Calling himself “old school, ” this individual plans to eventually list some of his products online.
Lamb and his wife, Jen, the partner in the venture, used to vacation in order to Astoria in the winter months. He said these people always wanted to move to the North Coast, praising its mix of environments plus cultures.
Whilst crafting their shop, Lamb said he or she wanted to be sensitive towards the everlasting local feel of Astoria.
“I could’ve been the particular very cool, pretentious report store guy and I’ve been that man in the past — he’s insufferable. I’ve kind of come full circle. I am coming at it from a humble place in my heart, ” Lamb said, adding that he hopes the particular store’s name reflects that.
Lamb stated the support and generosity of the community has already been overwhelming. He had been surprised whenever he sold a large chunk of his inventory within only the first two days.
But he is quickly restocking crates and shelves, and hopes that some people come forward with information to market him.
“The Crab will be hungry for records. We take them all, good or bad, warts and all, inch he stated. “… I actually know there are numerous records hiding in basements and attics and closets.
“Let’s get them back into circulation, due to the fact there is so much enthusiasm for records. ”