Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Reyer.
Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Max Yancy, a longstanding friend and radio programmer, surprised me one day with a text – “You want to open a record store?”. I was in the middle of a bittersweet departure from my current job. I sent back: “I’m burnt out, broke, not too experienced with business management. Other than that, sure!” Like all good ideas, it started over meeting for beers. The dreaming days. We popped up at bar that has had at least two name changes since 2022 for our maiden voyage. I remember wearing our first t-shirt, a sparkly tinsel curtain behind our table with our first batch of crates. It wasn’t dissimilar to throwing a party in jr. high and anxiously hoping people would show. Not too long after, a friend connected us to Jessica, salon owner, stylist, and now friend, who needed a tenant immediately. We moved in to approximately 96 square feet shared with her salon. We threw parties in the parking lot with local bands. Our first home was exactly what we needed, but the store was growing (storage comes with the wallpaper of the record industry) and the salon was growing. A current neighbor connected us to the space we are in now, that we share with Moonicorn Vintage, owned by friend, Naomi. Like all things Lockhart, the moving and shaking is done by neighbors and word of mouth. People helped us shove everything we owned in our new home and in many ways, it still feels like we are still making it all happen with our friends’ bands, our neighbors skills, and the scrappy, kind community here in the BBQ capital.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In many ways, it has felt like we have had so much fun, any adversity slipped into the background. We of course feel the same anxieties as all small business owners – slow days, government reforms, massive stores moving in, internet shopping, cultural shifts, consumer habits, AI, etc. But we have also booked some of our favorite bands. Handed teenagers their first copy of an album that will change them. Held records rarely seen in person. Made new friends. Whatever the road has been or will be, 100% worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a graphic designer and specialize in band posters and album art. The store provides a constant stream of inspiration. Max lets me run with the art for the store so there’s always an opportunity to collaborate with bands we book and try new ideas. I’ve gotten to work with many bands, but last year I had the opportunity to make a poster for Paul McCartney (still sort of in disbelief) which remains a very proud achievement.
What does success mean to you?
If you wake up and feel happy more than not with your tasks, and you feel proud enough to keep going and get better, that is successful to me. Everyone has bad days. Wants to quit sometimes. Wishes they had more talent or money. But if we can surf through those temporary moments and remember why we got into something and connect with why we still love it, you’re already way ahead of the game.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plumcreekrecords.com
- Instagram: plumcreekrecordstx
Image Credits
Amurica TX
Laurel Coyle
