Record Parlor of Muncie Spins New Life Into Downtown Music Scene
Photographer / Ethan Snyder
Downtown Muncie has a new groove. Vinyl enthusiast Derrick McNelly has opened Record Parlor of Muncie inside the Historic Rose Court building.
McNelly says he has envisioned opening a downtown record store for 10 years. A longtime fan of Dan’s Downtown Records, McNelly felt a void when it closed in 2017.
The grand opening of Record Parlor of Muncie was July 26 and featured an art gallery, live music and giveaways.
The store is filled with puns and hidden Easter eggs — even the shop’s name is an acronym: RPM.
McNelly’s wife, Sara, encouraged him to drop the needle on opening the shop.
She says McNelly holds a wealth of knowledge and passion for the music world that needed to be shared with the community.
“The vision was always that opening a record store was rooted in supporting and promoting local,” McNelly says. “Providing a space that celebrates art and music is essential in a community.”
McNelly plans to host intimate, unplugged, NPR “Tiny Desk”-style shows, as well as full shows inside the Historic Rose Court building.
Cheryl Crowder, events director for Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, says the store’s vibe fits the Historic Rose Court, a hub with a variety of businesses including H. Hindman & Co. boutique salon, Illuminate Beauty Boutique and the offices of Red-Tail Land Conservancy.
“We are thrilled to have the new energy the Record Parlor brings to downtown,” Crowder says. “The vinyl scene has been a missing piece since the closure of Dan’s Downtown Records many years ago.”
McNelly has long supported Muncie’s local record shops. As a teen, he mowed the lawn at the former Village Green Records in exchange for records.
Village Green Records owner Travis Harvey described McNelly as one of the kindest, most sincere customers the store ever had.
“[McNelly] cultivated an ever-expanding taste in music that I’m sure will set him up quite well as the keeper of the Record Parlor,” Harvey says. “With Locked Groove Records and now the Record Parlor, Muncie is so lucky to have two spots keeping the love of music collecting alive.”
VGR was a Muncie music staple for 17 years and relocated to Montgomery, Alabama, in 2022.
“The VGR has been making small steps toward a new reputation as Montgomery, Alabama’s premier record shop,” Harvey adds. “Continuing our live events, our community has been remarkably gracious and supportive.”
Celeste Outen opened Locked Groove Records in the former VGR building at 519 N. Martin St. in 2022.
“Record store owners are kind of their own little community,” McNelly says. “It’s been really, really nice to be taken into that fold.”
Art and music enthusiast Hannah Stookey attended the Record Parlor of Muncie’s grand opening. She donated copies of indie and emo records by Sleater-Kinney, La Sera and Mae.
Stookey says the shop’s focus on local artists is what drew her in.
“They had paintings, prints and even well-preserved insect shadowboxes. Just super cool,” Stookey says. “The staff is what will keep me coming back. [McNelly] was very kind and laid back… It’s great to have another reason to go downtown.”
The current art gallery features Ben’s Betties by Benjamin Barrett—horror-themed prints and paintings of pop culture icons including Barbie and the Creature from the Black Lagoon—and Artistic Oddities by Taylor Gonzalez.
Beyond a curated selection of albums, CDs and cassette tapes, the shop also sells plants grown by local plant business Hazy Tangerine and by McNelly’s wife.
Other products include a David Bowie coloring book, Prince mug, mini Troll Dolls, concert DVDs and music-themed books. The store also features handmade jewelry by Monarch Moon and exclusive Record Parlor of Muncie earrings designed by McNelly’s mom.
McNelly is a fan of 1960s psychedelic and 1970s garage rock, but keeps the shop stocked with sought-after limited releases — including boutique rap and hip-hop albums by Lil Ugly Mane, Tyler the Creator, and Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist.
Genres include jazz, funk, pop, rock, classical and new releases by Shannon & the Clams, Best Coast and The Murlocs.
McNelly plans to partner with artists performing at Canan Commons to offer their albums in-store.
“Much like Wu-Tang, I think record stores are for the children,” McNelly says.
He adds that the sonic experience of listening to an album from start to finish can increase attention span, create new neural pathways and provide a more engaging and stimulating music experience.
“Vinyl really is a different fidelity. You’ll hear things on a record that you won’t hear in a digital stream,” McNelly says. “It’s part of that magic.”
Record Parlor of Muncie is located at 125 E. Charles St., Suite 110, in the Historic Rose Court. For more information, follow Record Parlor of Muncie on Facebook and Instagram or call 765-228-2326.
