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B RILLIA NT- ON LIN E AUGUS T 2021
TRAVIS FREDERICKS, THE MAN IN DARK ALLEY BUSINESS ✦ Travis Fredericks is Living the Dream at Dark Alley Collectables
T
ravis Fredericks is the owner of independent music store Dark Alley Collectables in Port Macquarie. He says the shop is thriving and puts it all down to the resurgence of vinyl records.
✧ “Initially I think it started as a trend, but every year it grows,” he said. “It’s an old industry that continues to experience growth. With much support from our local community, we are finding new audiences and expanding our methods of reaching people.”
- Travis Fredericks
It’s not just the volume of sales that is growing but the buyer demographic as well. “At Dark Alley Collectables we see older men looking to relieve their youth and remember all those great live bands they saw in the 80’s and 90’s. They make up a substantial proportion of sales. On a daily basis I’m hearing how they lost their collection through a divorce, or converted to CD’s in the 90’s, and now they’re lost in nostalgia, cashed up and can afford to replace their lost collections.” The shop also appeals to youth and Dark Alley Collectables has become a hub for youngsters that don’t fit into the surfing culture so abundant in Port Macquarie. Travis and partner Lisa actively encourage youth into the space and take the time to educate them about music both past and present.
“The absolute best thing is seeing a parent and child browsing the titles together and heading home to listen to their new purchases,” said Travis with a smile. “We find the kids of today are listening to music from the 80’s and 90’s and through this are able to form a solid connection with their parents through music. The kids are wearing their old Kiss shirts and buying up Nirvana. It’s really cool.” There is a flip side to the booming platform, as new record margins become tighter and sourcing secondhand records isn’t as easy as it used to be. “People often donated their record collections to charity shops, threw them in the bin or sent them to the tip. I always feel so sad and regretful when I hear of a whole trailer load going to the tip. “In the beginning, Baby Boomers were
