MOUNT VERNON — The first record Phil Hicks collected was KISS’s “Alive!” in 1975. It was wrapped and waiting under his Christmas tree.
Now Hicks and wife Jennifer are living a dream he wasn’t sure would ever happen. He remembers seeing his first live show during a Journey concert at Blossom Music Center for $10 a ticket.
It became a lifelong interest.
“I didn’t think I’d open my own record store one day,” he said. “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Fat Dog Vinyl, located at 7 North Main, where the former Mount Vernon Brewing Company previously resided, has hundreds of records to choose from. The genres include rock classics, smooth jazz hits, soundtracks, new wave rock, pop and metal.
“People have been blown away by the diversity,” he said.
Adorning the neutral color walls are signed guitars from legends like Chris Cornell. That sets the stage, so to speak. The featured attraction are all the records Hicks has in the wooden-cased shelves stacked throughout the store.
He obtains his records through a variety of means. Either through auction sites, Ebay, estate sales or strolls through the Facebook Marketplace.
“I’ve had records for years,” Hicks said with a smile surrounding his white beard. “I just kept getting tons of records.”
It’s a passion/part-time project for the couple, with Paul working as a pharmaceutical rep. Once retirement rolls around, Hicks says operating Fat Dog Vinyl will be his full-time gig.
Fat Dog Vinyl opened its doors on Black Friday to a rousing success, Hicks said.
“We were swamped,” the record store owner said. “There were more people there Friday than I expected all weekend.”
Fat Dog Vinyl is open Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
