By Ken Pastushyn
Everyone remembers their first.
For Scott Woodall, owner of Vintage & Vinyl Records on Front Road in LaSalle, it was Canadian rockers Rush’s first album Fly by Night, bought in 1982 while he was in eighth grade at Sandwich public school. His collection grew through high school, inspired by Windsor’s 89-X radio station, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion.
Vintage & Vinyl—housed in a 100-year-old converted farmhouse—has served the community for 15 years. The shop boasts an estimated 35,000 records, and if a title isn’t found among them, Scott’s extensive network can help track it down. “Scott has a great memory for people, stock, and what customers want,” says Julie Sando, who helps out on Sundays.
The shop’s name reflects its roots: “Vintage” for the collectibles Scott’s father contributed, and “Vinyl” for Scott’s own records. The store also buys, sells, and trades collectibles—what Scott calls “knick-knack paddywhacks”—alongside records. Repairs to stereo equipment are available through technician Jay Butler.
Vinyl dominates the shop, filling the farmhouse from floor to ceiling. For Sando, an avid collector herself, the atmosphere is more fun than a museum. The thrill of “crate-digging” through vintage milk crates, each holding about 50 albums, offers a unique tactile experience online shopping can’t match.
Special events like Record Store Day in April bring extra excitement, with cupcakes for customers and interviews on Scott’s Stay Groovy podcast. During one episode, Finn, his high-school helper, recalled her first album—KISS’s Detroit Rock City—played repeatedly by her dad when she was four.
The shop’s location across from LaSalle Landing means they often stay open late for local events. Themed records sell briskly during holidays—Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and even soft rock for Valentine’s Day. Sando notes that the shop attracts young couples on dates, adding to its romantic, nostalgic appeal.
Scott recommends visitors allow 45 minutes to an hour to explore. The journey begins in the former living room, now home to new arrivals. Down the hall is Scott’s “heavy sh _ t!” section for death metal CDs, next to the 1980s room—a favorite of both Scott and Sando, as it features the music of their youth.
The former kitchen houses the shop’s oldest records, spanning country to easy listening, hip-hop, and techno—genres popular with customers from Detroit and Toronto. Elvis and Beatles compilations are tucked under the kitchen sink cupboard. Scott recalls a customer seeking every original Beatles studio pressing, a challenge he enjoyed. Sando remembers a sharply dressed 90-year-old regular hunting for rare classic and psychedelic rock, describing him as “a cool guy.”
A standout is Sando’s themed wall of records, changing monthly—this month, album covers featuring memorable hairdos. Initially intended for rare and valuable records, it’s become a showcase for creative displays. Nearby, the “Full Metal Closet” bursts with heavy metal and classic rock, genres Scott says are favorites among younger shoppers.
The “mom and dad” records rest by a window, atop a crate that doubles as a sun-soaked bed for Frankie, Scott’s tabby cat. Across the room, Scott’s desk marks the point of sale—look for Leon Russell’s album Love and Life labeled “I’m Not Scotty!” in wax pencil, a playful nod to a supposed resemblance.
Asked what he enjoys most about running Vintage & Vinyl, Scott cites independence: “You make your own hours, it’s the good and the bad, and you don’t have to answer to anybody.” Still, he admits the “real bosses” are the customers who come through the door during business hours—Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For 15 years, Vintage & Vinyl has stayed groovy, offering LaSalle a one-of-a-kind destination for music lovers, collectors, and the simply curious – proof that the love of vinyl, and the stories behind it, never go out of style.
Visit Vintage and Vinyl at 891 Front Rd., or check them out on Facebook.