Isabel is still very sick, deep in a coma. A few days ago one of her many doctors came in while she was listening to "Il Trovatore" with Mary. He was thrilled to hear the music and started conducting, ya gotta love a doctor like that!
He said yes! Good music...opera is what she should be listening to...."LaBoheme"!
Alli decided to go that very day to get "LaBoheme" for Isabel.
We knew where to go! Webster Record Shop, another of those feisty little businesses that have been a part of St. Louis culture since the '50s.
They specialize in classical music with a wide variety of new
and used CDs,
but they also have a great mix of all kinds of music
from rock to ragtime,
on CD or vintage vinyl.
I discovered another reason to shop at Webster Records: Bill Wondracek. Bill is a great guy, one of those people you just like right away! He knows about music and is there to be of service. I appreciated his help deciding which of the 3 or 4 versions of "LaBoheme" to buy. Bill has been working at Webster Records for 10 years; he started working part time to give the *original* owner a little time off.
There have only been three owners since the beginning of the store 53 years ago.
Jennifer Bellm has owned the store for about 5 years now.
Mia Culpa...it is confession time. I don't remember the last time I bought a CD from a real record shop. When I think of a whole town of people not buying records locally I am amazed we have a music store at all.
Bill told me a few years ago in Manhattan there were 5 or 6 thriving music stores. Now, there is only one and when New Yorkers are in St. Louis, many come to Webster Records to shop.
Here we have at least 3 music stores. I am so grateful to the resourceful and dedicated business owners of St. Louis and their faithful customers for preserving these treasures until I awoke from my stupor.
I know it is great ordering cds on the internet. But isn't it even greater to be a part of keeping a record shop in downtown Webster Groves for another fifty years?
It really is up to us.
It is kind of unusual that St. Louis, given the size that it is, still has several good record stores. Webster Record Shop, Euclid Records, Vintage Vinyl, Record Exchange... And two of them are in Webster Groves, even.
ReplyDeleteDave, thanks so much for your comment! It is unusual isn't it? Seems to me St. Louisan's rare loyalty to these small businesses is a huge part of our success as a community and explains much of our uniqueness as a city.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for mentioning our other record store treasures. I love Record Exchange and can hardly wait to try Euclid records and Vintage Vinyl.