‘Sad to see it go’: This decades-old Johnson County record store is closing for good

Jenna Thompson
·3 min read

Vinyl Renaissance and Audio’s exterior is a little inconspicuous, tucked in the elbow of a shopping strip at 9038 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.

But through its doors, past smiling cardboard Elvis: hundreds of CDS, records, turntables and speakers.

Since the store announced on Wednesday it would be closing, dozens of customers have been trickling in, flipping through records of their favorite artists — Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Blink 182, newer stars like Taylor Swift.

Most of its items are heavily marked down in an attempt to get rid of its stacks (and stacks) of records and CDs — vinyls are going for as low as $1, some CDs are selling for 50 cents apiece.

“Everything must go,” as the sign says.

Their last day is Dec. 31, owner Eva Phillips says, then quickly adds: “I have this great hope that it will be so empty it will close before then.”

Eva and Dan Phillips are closing their record store at the end of the year.
Eva and Dan Phillips are closing their record store at the end of the year.

Eva watches her longtime customers clear out the inventory and remarks about how bittersweet it is. She and her husband, Dan Phillips, have been in the record and CD business since 2000, beginning online and opening their first storefront in 2005 at 63rd Street and Quivira Road.

They’ve been in a few spots since then, but the Metcalf Avenue spot with the yellow walls has been Vinyl’s home for a couple years.

Motivated by their love of music over the past 20-plus years, Eva and Dan have even hosted bands in their store. Their current space has a carpeted stage amid the rows of records.

Now Dan, 72, is ready to slow down. Time to stay home with their corgi, Iris.

“I’m ready,” he says.

The couple’s business has changed with music trends. In the early 2000s, kids were listening to Coldplay, Kanye West and Green Day on portable CD players. Despite streaming platforms’ popularity, records have made a recent comeback. Pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Harry Styles have released their newest albums on vinyl.

Now the younger generation is clamoring for collectibles from new and old musicians alike, and Eva and Dan offer records from stars of all decades.

The Johnson County record store’s vinyls and CDs are on sale, as is much of its audio equipment.
The Johnson County record store’s vinyls and CDs are on sale, as is much of its audio equipment.

They talk about how thankful they are for their regulars and employees, making special mention of their employee Lucas Bell, who’s been in the business with them for I-don’t-know-how-long, Eva says.

The announcement of their closing has sent many local music fans into mourning. After Dan made his grand post on Facebook about his desire to “stop and smell the roses,” sentimental messages poured in.

“Worst news of the year! … Vinyl Renaissance has been one of my few happy places in a world full of crazy. For that 30 mins - hour I can just relax and only think about what music I can find and be transported back to the good ol days!” wrote one user.

“Congrats on having a wonderful store…enjoy the roses…you deserve it,” wrote another.

In the store, customers have been coming up to Eva and Dan with the same types of comments.

“Some of the customers are coming in so sad they can hardly handle it,” Eva says.

Though they’re ready to move on, Eva says she’ll miss the hours spent in the store, helping folks find their new favorite album.

“It’s beautiful, and I’ll be sad to see it go,” she says. “I’ll miss the customers.”