The intersection of Buffalo and Market streets in downtown Warsaw has a long history connected to vinyl music.
For several decades, Butterfly Records gained a regional reputation through the sale of albums and concert tickets.
But beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Indiana Antique Company, 123 S. Buffalo St. – across the street from the old Butterfly location – will spin a new chapter when owners Brent and Amber Cox shift their traditional antiques operation to another location and expand its focus to music in the downtown store under the name Bath House Records.
The couple have been in the antiques business for about six years with its primary location at Buffalo and Market streets, but in recent years, they’ve noticed their album and stereo equipment sales – under the name Bath House Records – begin growing to the point that it represented 75 percent of its business.
“The days of the fine antique furniture and pretty glassware are probably coming to an end,” said Brent, who is 37.
“People my age – we don’t care about it. We want to buy stuff that we can use and enjoy.
“I’m just trying to evolve with the market.”
The more traditional antiques formerly sold at the store are being moved to Indiana Antiques Mall on U.S. 30 east of Warsaw, but Cox said he will continue to purchase antiques at his downtown location.
The name of the expanded business comes from the downtown building’s early existence in the late 1800s when men could get a haircut and a hot bath in the lower level that was known as a bath house, Cox said.
Bath House Records’ grand opening will include free food, the culmination of a contest started on the store’s Facebook page and music from six bands playing throughout the day on the main floor.
Afterward, the main floor will be revamped to feature stereo equipment and retro furniture that fits the vibe.
The lower level, where music has already been the emphasis, will display a large collection of used albums, cassettes, 8-tracks, CDs and 45s.
With the fresh start – the store calls it a re-amp – Bath House Records has expanded the amount of space dedicated to music and has increased the number of distributors providing freshly made albums.
The store will have a capacity to house 5,000 used records and 2,500 new records, Cox said.
The music is displayed in newly constructed shelves specifically designed for the different types of formats. The walls are covered in colorful tapestries.
The collection is expanding to include much more than run-of-the-mill pop music, delving into soul, blues, punk, Cox said.
A separate room in the lower level will be known as the Rock and Roll High School and feature several arcade games available to play for free.
Resurgence in the popularity of vinyl has been underway across the country for several years and has developed a strong niche. According to forbes.com, vinyl sales have seen double digit increases for the past seven years.
Cox said he believes the trend is more than a short-term trend and points to the fact that Sony recently announced plans to start “pressing records.”
“When businesses start doing that, I think it’s more than a fad,” Cox said.
“We are selling to high school and middle school kids and grandmas are coming in,” Cox said.
The store is also expanding its selection of stereo equipment that could rival any store in the Midwest, Cox said.
The store is using video on its Facebook page to highlight newly arrived selections.
Cox said he grew up in Silver Lake, but never visited Butterfly Records. Yet, he senses a small connection.
“I love getting their old records in,” Cox said. “They have some stamp they put on their inner sleeve.
“It’s kind of what I do now is what they did then,” he said.
