News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Noise and Toys owner Steve Szucs displays some rare albums at the store, which opened July 2. The new record store in downtown Alpena features new and used records that are for sale or trade, as well as other pop culture items.

ALPENA — The popularity of listening to or collecting vinyl records has increased significantly over the last several years. More people are choosing to listen to their favorite tunes on turntables, which was the primary way to consume music for decades.

The invention of cassettes, compact discs, MP3 and digital streaming sources made vinyl albums obsolete, but there has been a revival in the use of vinyl and now music from years gone by and new releases are available.

A new record store called Noise and Toys opened last month in Alpena and is offering music fans and collectors a wide range of vinyl and other retro music and pop culture products.

Owner Steve Szucs, affectionately know as “Retro” Steve, said he owned a thrift store for several years and during that time he noticed there was one item that consistently sold more than others. He said that set the wheels in motion to open the new business on Second Avenue.

“For the last year and a half or two years the primary thing I was selling was records,” Szucs said. “I love music and records, so I decided to cut out the rest of the product and do something that I love, and just stick with music and pop culture.”

Szucs said the store opened July 2 and it got busy right away. He said a good mix of tourists and locals have shopped at the store and people of all ages and musical tastes have stopped in to browse or make a purchase. Szucs said he believes there are several reasons why vinyl has made a comeback. He said there is a “cool” factor to records and also that many people just like the sound, desired by some listeners. Szucs said some of the musical tastes of young people are also surprising. He said what was once old and outdated is becoming new and exciting.

“We get people from 12 years old to 70 years old,” he said. “The majority of the teenagers are buying the classic 70s and 80s arena rock.”

Some would argue that the sound quality of a record doesn’t stack up well with digital music that is produced today. Szucs said his customers say they prefer the sound over the highly processed and produced recordings of today.

“They say it just has a warmer sound to it and it is a more fun experience having it on the record player, being able to hold the album covers in their hands while they listen.”

Szucs said if the business continues to do as well as it has been since opening, future plans could lead to expansion and new products and services offered.

“I’ll be carrying T-shirts, incense, body jewelry and newer vinyl,” he said. “I also plan on having record players, needles and maybe some other stereo equipment.”

The store also purchases used records and Szucs said there could also be trades made. He said there are small record stores around the country, but most people who are purchasing vinyl do so online, or in stores such as FYE and Best Buy. Noise and Toys offers things that those stores don’t.

“I have my personal collection in here, which includes rare, first-release albums that you would never find in a large store,” he said.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.