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Music store keeps rolling along
Bill Becker of Naperville and daughter Rachel Becker look at CDs on Dec. 1 at the Rolling Stones music store in Norridge. "I used to come here as a teenager," Bill said. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Rolling Stones Records
7300 Irving Park Road
Hours 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
(708) 456-0861
www.rollingstonesmusic.com
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Updated: January 7, 2013 6:43AM
NORRIDGE — Rock lives on in Norridge.
Since 1971, Rolling Stones Records has been serving up platters of vinyl.
The store at 7300 W. Irving Park Rd. caters to those who appreciate rock music, said owner Wayne Rohalla.
“You’re more likely to find what you’re looking for here,” he said. “We have more new inventory than other places.”
If one is looking for the sounds of the ocean, Rolling Stones Records is not the place.
“But if you’re interested in rock, come here,” Rohalla said. “It’s a unique shopping experience.”
Rohalla started working in the store as a teen, and has seen the changes in the music industry.
“It used to be you’d get kids in here and they’d buy six to 10 CDs,” he said.
“Now, one buys the CD and the others buy blanks,” he added. “Or people are downloading their music.”
The store also has expanded to include custom orders.
“We can’t stock everything,” Rohalla said, “but the turnaround on special orders is really quick.
“If you order today, I can probably have it in two days at the latest.”
Rolling Stones Records also hasn’t forgotten the electronic crowd.
“We’re doing the online stuff,” Rohalla said. “We update our Facebook page, let people know what’s out and what’s new.”
The store’s Web site includes release dates, coupons and music-related information.
The site also has brought in old customers, Rohalla said, noting he has received many postings from people who didn’t know the store still was around.
“We’ve outlasted the competition,” Rohalla said.
He attributes that success to providing customers with the music they want while keeping prices low.
“We never sell at list price,” Rohalla said. “And I don’t know of any store that carries this much new music.”
Although the store has lost its parking lot to Best Buy at Harlem Irving Plaza across the street, Rohalla said customers may park in the municipal lot to the west of the store.
“Support local businesses,” he said.
In addition to tunes, the store stocks pins, chains, framed mirrors, T-shirts and Blu-ray video discs.
“Lots and lots of Blu-rays,” he said. “The lava lamps are new.”
While the smell of incense adds a nostalgic tough, the stock reflects current tastes.
“We’re always looking for the new and unique,” Rohalla said. “The business changes all the time, and yet it doesn’t.”
