Crates of classics draw vinyl record enthusiasts to Windsor show

Inside a bar in Windsor’s Sandwich Town, visitors turned back the clock Sunday to an era where music played off a lacquer disc rather than a cell phone.

Eager to find the missing piece to their collection, vinyl lovers filed into the Dominion House Tavern for the fall record sale.

Despite being one of the most “inconvenient” ways to listen, Jim Fewer feels the physical elements make it more alluring.

“There’s a lot of extra stuff in there. It’s a gatefold. You open up, you read about the band. It’s just more personal. It’s more interactive,” said Fewer, who sells records.

Each weekend, Fewer drags thousands of vinyl’s to shows across Southwestern Ontario.

Sunday’s show featured sellers from Windsor, Ingersoll, and Mount Brydges.

Before the days of streaming or CDs, Fewer said there was often a feeling of being “anxious” for those hoping to get their hands on the latest hit.

“I had to go find it and explore the artist a little bit more by digging deeper into the album, going for the deep tracks,” he said.

The resurgence of vinyl, which allows for shows like those at the Dominion House, Fewer said, is in part due to current-day artists releasing some music on vinyl.

Going forward, he feels the ongoing love for records will be dependent on prices.

“It’s small plants that are doing it, and the prices of vinyl, new vinyl has gone to a point now where I think it’s becoming more prohibitive,” Fewer said.

The record show will return to the same spot next spring.