When I moved to Charlotte in 1994 Repo Records was a Plaza-Midwood fixture. In fact there were two Repo Record (the other Repo Cheapo) on Central Ave. and another on Tyvola Rd. At times the staff included Antiseen's Jeff Clayton and Joe Young (who worked at the Tyvola location) and former Tremont Music Hall owner/current Dish owner Penny Craver. The store's owner, Jimmy "Repo" Parker (who is still the driving force behind Repo) was practically infamous locally. The joint definitely had personality.
With the decline of traditional album sales, Repo closed its doors in 2005 and Parker continued to sell online. After eight years and a resurgence in vinyl sales, he's back in the brick and mortar business. The site is the former Heywood Sewing Center on Commonwealth about a mile from Repo's original spot on Central. No, it's not located along the Central Ave. strip, but the seclusion of a neighborhood has its advantages in my opinion. I doubt anyone will ask you to pay to park and you won't have to deal with the traffic. I can only imagine my excitement if I lived within walking distance.
In addition to LPs, cassettes, and CDs, the new Repo will carry collectibles, posters, t-shirts, lunchboxes, magazines, action figures, and stereo gear. It'll also carry new vinyl, specializing in reissues.
The store is dropping the "s" this time to avoid confusion with a store in Philadelphia that now holds that name. To check out the inside of the new store click here. It looks like it's jam-packed full of fun stuff. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It will stay open later (around 8 p.m.) Friday and Saturday and is closed Sunday.
(Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/repo.record)
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