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HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – As National Record Store Day on April 23rd gets closer, local record stores are worried there will not be enough vinyl to go around.
“Sometimes you get what you ordered, sometimes you don’t. It kind of depends on when it gets here. Some albums they make only certain amounts of those,” Queen City Records Co-Owner Mary Jo Everidge said. “So, you may get one copy, you may get five copies.”
The store gets its records distributed through Ingram Entertainment Inc.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing Steve Harkins said they are one of only four main distributors in the United States, so it is difficult to get all orders out quickly.
“In some cases, retailers could buy from a label who has their own distribution,” Harkins said. “Most independent record retailers, like a Queen City, will buy from a wholesaler/distributor such as ours.”
Harkins said it is a supply and demand issue with manufacturers.
“In some cases, these plants are backed up,” he said. “Anywhere from eight to 12 months to meet demand of both the fans, consumers and retailers.”
Distributors said it is a challenge making sure everyone gets enough product.
“That’s part of the popularity,” Harkins said. “From a fan’s standpoint, it creates a great collector’s interest because of its limited production run.”
Despite this, those with Queen City Records said they work with neighboring record stores.
“We’re happy to say, you can check the one in Whitesburg, Roundabout,” Everidge said. “You can check them out too because they may have stuff that we don’t have.”
Everidge said she was anxious for Record Store Day.
She said they hope there are no issues.
“We hope that everything goes well,” Everidge said. “We get the items that the people come here are looking for. We also have some stuff that we’re giving away that is from Record Store Day.”
Harkins said they are optimistic for the future.
He said many manufacturers are planning to expand.
“I think it’s going to take probably a good couple of years based on what we’re told,” Harkins said. “To really get to the point where we can come closer to meeting fan and consumer demand.”
Everidge said Queen City Records will be open 11am to 4pm on Record Store Day.
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