Casa-Dia Vinyl Records Gets into the Groove in Fredericton
FREDERICTON – There’s a new audiophile hotspot on the city’s Northside: Casa-Dia Vinyl Records. The shop, which opened July 14, is the latest endeavour by Brad Schofield, who has been building his passion for records into a business for nearly a decade.
Not long after he first began collecting his own vinyl, Schofield began trading with others. This interest in the medium grew into an online business where Schofield primarily sold turntable parts along with records to a growing customer base.
“Fredericton loves records,” he says. “Vinyl seems to be quite popular here. Even when I was a teenager in the 90’s, Fredericton was the spot to go get records since we didn’t have that in Miramichi, where I’m from.”
After discovering the local interest in shopping for records in person just a few months ago when he set up at the Northside Market, Schofield jumped on the opportunity to establish the business in a more permanent way.
Schofield says Casa-Dia’s main business comes from used records but that new records, both re-releases and new releases, are growing in popularity. Along with records, Casa-Dia continues to sell turntable and vintage stereo parts and accessories. He says one of the best parts of the vinyl business is hearing about the stories and history of the medium. He says there is something to the act of listening to records that can’t be achieved through digital mediums.
“I like finding out the history, and just having something in your hand,” he says.
“You know this album came out in 1966 and this is the actual one that went out. [I like] seeing an interesting cover and then just popping it on to see what it sounds like. You don’t really get that just surfing around online. I like the whole routine of it, putting the record on and committing the time to do it.”
Schofield is looking forward to having more conversations with fellow vinyl fans as more people find out about his new location and come in to browse or sell used records. He encourages anyone who has records they’ve inherited, found, or simply don’t want anymore to come in.
“I’m looking forward to having the conversations of ‘oh, that’s neat. Where did you get that?” and hearing the story behind it. Every record store seems to be unique. The stock seems to reflect the owner’s taste. I’m looking forward to finding people who have the same interests as me,” Schofield says.
“It’s the social part of it for me. My goal is just to be established. I want Casa-Dia Records to always be there.”