Situated at 80 Stanley St. in Ayr, Ontario, Music & Books is both the first ever record store and first ever bookstore to open in Ayr.
Beyond just selling vinyls and paperbacks, Music & Books host a variety of events and clubs. There are yoga nights, writer’s guilds, listening groups, book clubs and art classes. They also host readings for local writers and sell the work of local artists.
Owners Jacqui Wright, Courtney Hope, and Julia Mills want Music & Books to be a community center as well as a shop. They consider many of their customers friends.
“We collect humans,” Hope said.
Music & Books was conceived for the community: Hope wanted a record store to support her husband’s vinyl hobby and Wright wanted a space for her child that did not involve sports. Within a matter of days, the friends went from fantasizing about the store to leasing a space. While passionate, Wright and Hope were in over their heads.
“We had no experience, no business plan. We had no money, no idea how to order vinyl, we had no idea how to get in touch with publishers. And then we were like ‘sure we’ll get you first and last month’s rent by Tuesday!,’” Wright said.
Wright and Hope realized that in order for Music & Books to be sustainable, a more organized presence was needed. Mills, who began as the company’s website designer was quickly signed on as a third co-owner.
“We were like ‘Woooh! Dreams! Let’s do it all!’ And she said, ‘that’s great, but let’s do it properly. There are steps,’” Hope said.
Music and Books quickly became a keystone in Ayr’s artistic community, much thanks to the physical nature of their business. Ayr’s community theater runs its box office through the store and the three owners relish introducing local kids to vinyl records. Music & Books has quickly become a keystone in Ayr’s artistic community, much thanks to the physical nature of their business.
“People just love being in the space…they walk in and they’ll tell us everything about their past, their present, something cool. So, we have a book related to them, you know, or pick them up a vinyl,” Wright said. “Then the stories just flow from there. It’s been the most beautiful, mind-blowing experience I’ve been part of.”
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