A lifelong music aficionado, John Kihlmire has been collecting vinyl since he was 17. Several years ago, on a 20-day trip out West, Kihlmire stopped off in a cafe in Colorado that had records, books, and vintage pinball machines, and he fell in love with the intimate, retro feel. "The only thing missing was beer," Kihlmire says. This started the wheels turning, and in September 2017, the seasoned entrepreneur opened The Vinyl Room in Wappingers Falls.
The record store-meets-bar has a selection of turntables, cassettes, CDs, and over 8,000 records of every genre. "I do have a lot of rare stuff, but this shop is also really good for someone just getting into vinyl or looking to broaden their horizon," Kilhmire says. He plays into the nostalgic vibe with retro arcade games like Miss Pacman and an interior pizza window, where you can order from Wagon Wheel Pizza next door. There are six craft beers on tap, plus a selection of local wines, so you can sip while you browse. In case you weren't sold, The Vinyl Room live music every weekend, a killer lineup of renowned DJs like Pete Rock and DJ Scratch, and soon-coming outdoor seating.
On Saint Patrick's day, March 17, the legendary DJ Large Professor will be spinning tracks at the Vinyl Room. Even if you don't recognize his name you've surely heard his work. Large is the musical genius behind many of your favorite '90s rap jams, producing numerous tracks for Nas, Busta Rhymes, Masta Ace, The X-Ecutioners, Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, and others.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see a turntable master. Tickets are $25, and the show starts at 8pm.
If you love records, read our piece on Vinyl Music Vault in Oneonta.
