Black Plastic Records creates a haven for music lovers in Oxford

By Evan Stefanik

When customers walk into Black Plastic Records Oxford, the bell on the door rings, and suddenly, rock ‘n’ roll or punk rock music pours over them. The fresh hardwood floors are surrounded by teal blue walls adorned with various albums and shelves full of rolled up posters. An island sits in the center, displaying jewelry and stickers, all with the hopes of drawing people in.

Despite the decorations and wearable items available for sale, the stacks of vinyl records arranged alphabetically within their genres pull everything together; Black Plastic offers everything from Iron Maiden to Taylor Swift.

Although many customers come into the shop with an album already in mind, the long-haired man behind the counter wearing cozy black clothing often changes their minds.

Steve Schmoll, owner of Black Plastic, has successfully pitched all kinds of music to people over the years. As a vinyl connoisseur in and out of the shop for 40-50 hours every week, Schmoll naturally shares his expertise.

“I always wanted to work at a record store when I was younger,” Schmoll said. “I’ve been listening to albums for as long as I can remember. Music is a healthy thing. It’s my lifestyle.”

Schmoll practically lived in record shops as a teenager, which led him to explore other music-related positions in his adult life, like working as a concert sound engineer and tour manager before getting into the record business.

Later in life, Schmoll decided to return to his roots and open a smaller, premiere Black Plastic in downtown Cincinnati. Eventually, the pandemic forced him to close it with four months still left on his lease. Without anybody at work nearby to generate foot traffic, Schmoll decided to move.

He relocated the shop to Oxford in November 2022 because Miami University was the only college campus he could think of without a record store. Today, Schmoll curates his inventory based on the interests of students, who gravitate toward indie rock, rap, punk and metal.

Schmoll said half his buyers frequent the shop once a week, including junior music education major Mason Snyder.

Snyder continues to invest in his over $3,000 vinyl collection that he started as a 10-year-old. He meticulously cares for his beloved records, such as a fully functional 1920s “Hot Five and Hot Seven Sessions” by Louis Armstrong, which he inherited from his grandfather.

Like Schmoll, Snyder grew up with vinyl around the house, so now, he makes it a part of his adulthood. He carries on the tradition by setting the mood with a record every time he hosts, and he always explains the context behind his pick.