When it comes to vinyl records, the best selection of LPs in the South Sound can be found at Turntable Treasures House of Records, according to store owner Pete VanRosendael.

A sign right by the front door states emphatically, “AUDIO Yes. VIDEO No.”

“People still buy a lot of records,” said VanRosendael, pointing to the over 120,000 LPS and 5,000 sealed LPs stacked neatly throughout the store.

“This didn’t happen overnight. I accumulated it over the years,” he said of his stock, adding that the vast majority of vinyls in the store sell for under $10.

VanRosendael said that a lot of his inventory comes through the front door of the Tacoma store. “I used to go to estate sales and yard sales, but now I buy directly from customers,” he said.

Turntable Treasures has regular customers and a jam-packed inventory just about floor to ceiling, and walking through the door is like walking back in time.

LPs are a passion for VanRosendael. Retired from the Air Force, he purchased House of Records on Sixth Avenue in 2000 and moved right around the corner seven years ago.

“We had two separate locations and then combined the two. House of Records started in 1988 and Turntable Treasures in 1996. I’ve been in business just about 20 years now,” he said.

He knew he wasn’t going to spend his retirement playing golf, and acknowledges that retirees need something productive and fun to do.

“I consider this my second career that I can ride off into the sunset on,” said VanRosendael.

The business has regular customers who appreciate the world of vinyl. “Anyone who is into this scene knows we are one of the biggest and the best,” said VanRosendael, adding that Turntable Treasures stocks vinyl and equipment only.

The shelves host a wide variety of turntables and speakers, priced affordably.

VanRosendael grew up in New York with a love of music. “My favorites in the ‘60s were Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds, Bob Dylan. Now my favorite music is classical. I want to discover something new,” he said.

He gives out free audio advice, too. “Move your speakers around, try different placements of your main speakers as described in your manual, and the results can be staggering,” he said.

Turntables start at about $100. VanRosendael said for $200, he can get an entire system up and ready for customers.

“Come on down,” he said. “We’ll sell you merchandise or good advice. Free advice is always here.”

VanRosendael acknowledges that his operation isn’t really a viable business model if you want to make money, but added, “This is my retirement and it is a labor of love. My advice is to find a passion that you love, and if it is at nobody else’s expense, go for it.”

Turntable Treasures is located at 608 N. Prospect in Tacoma. Hours are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 5 pm. The website is turntabletreasures.com, and the phone number is 253-272-9229.

Joan Cronk, who wrote this article, is a freelance writer from Puyallup.