Local record store Old Skool’s gives its customers a selection of music along with entertainment. Located in Downtown Ellensburg on Main Street, the store has plenty of music that can spark nostalgia as well as other items to purchase.

Along with different kinds of music, Old Skool’s also sells other media like books, movies, posters and video games. The store offers plenty of antiques, thrifted clothing, jewelry and a separate room filled with couches for live music events.

Owner Carol Cox started the store in Ellensburg 13 years ago and runs it herself with no other employed staff. Before Cox started her own record store, she was business partners with Ace Body Piercing which is now located next door.

Ace Body Piercing owner Kelly King explained that her and Cox have been best friends since they were 13 years old.

“Carol is super knowledgeable about music so if I need to know anything, I just ask her,” King said.

Growing up in Manson, Washington, King and Cox came to Ellensburg to start their own business. They initially opened a singular shop which offered both music and piercings. As the business grew, King and Cox split the shop into two separate stores located next door to each other.

Cox has been running her music business for 18 years total. She split from Ace Body Piercing after 5 years and has had her own store for 13 years.

Cox explained that she has always loved vinyl and music and decided to start her own store to see where it would take her. She has been able to keep her business running for all these years because Old Skool’s is the only record store in Ellensburg.

Not all the music is hers. Cox said besides her own record collection, people bring in their own records to sell or trade. Through that process, she has been able to stock her shelves with a variety of music.

In addition to selling music and media, Old Skool’s has open mic nights every Sunday night. Many bands from out of town have come to perform at the shop, including groups from New York, Florida, Tennessee and even Italy. The shop has its own back room for performances with plenty of couches and lights for a concert-like setting. According to Cox, the room has fit up to 50 people in the past but the performances are usually low-key and intimate.

After being asked what her favorite part of the store is, Cox did not answer with anything that she sells in her store.

“It’s fun seeing people of all ages getting excited about all different types of music,” Cox said. “Sometimes it’s the clothes, sometimes it’s the movies. Everyone has something that they’re into and [can] get excited about.”