In the heart of downtown Littleton’s historic Main Street district, Records On Main opened its doors in the spring of 2025, quickly becoming a vinyl hub just south of Denver. As the co-owner Cassie Chernin has helped make it more than just a retail stop, but a place for curated selections of new and used vinyl along with turntables and music memorabilia, inviting both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers to explore analog music culture in a relaxed, friendly setting. The family-run storefront is part of Littleton’s lively downtown scene, where local businesses, eateries, and arts venues contribute to a rich cultural tapestry that draws visitors throughout the year.

When asked what Cassie does outside of working at the shop she said: "This was actually the toughest question to answer because I'm fortunate that my work at the store doesn't feel like work—it genuinely feels like a hobby I'm passionate about." However, outside of the store she enjoys spending time with friends at local dive bars over an extra cold Coors Light, collecting and caring for plants, listening to records at home, reading "I'm a sucker for romance novels", and building Lego, which she finds meditative and calming.

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

My path into the music retail world was as unexpected as it was deeply personal. It actually started with my father, Marshall, who, after years in a different career,  decided to pursue his lifelong dream of opening a record store in Colorado. I was helping him on the marketing and buying side, excited to see his vision come to life. Tragically, just as he was finalizing the preparations to open, he was in a horrific motorcycle accident that left him with severe injuries. The store opening was suddenly put on hold. Seeing his dream at risk, I immediately stepped in to manage the final preparations and open the doors on schedule.

My initial role transitioned from part-time support to full-time operator overnight. Following Marshall's extensive recovery, and due to the lasting effects of his injuries, both of my parents made the incredible decision to pass the torch and transition the full ownership of the store to me. I've always had music woven into the fabric of my life, but this journey became much more—it was a way to honor my dad's dream and build something lasting out of a difficult time. I'm profoundly grateful for their trust and proud to carry on the legacy he started. 

What is a day in the life like?

I wish I could describe a typical day, but honestly, there isn't one. Being an owner means constantly shifting between roles. One moment I'm booking a live show, the next I'm reconciling accounts, then pivoting to social ad strategy, updating our Google listing, ordering inventory, stocking shelves. The list goes on. What ties it all together is showing up fully committed every single day, doing whatever needs to be done to make this business thrive.

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

That's impossible to narrow down. Every sale over the past eight months has been memorable in its own way. Building relationships with customers is honestly one of the most rewarding parts of owning this store. Whether you're a regular who stops by every week or someone passing through town for the first time, those connections are what make this work so special.

In your opinion what has been the coolest thing to come through your shop / thing you had to keep / almost couldn't put out for sale:

We've had so many incredible records come through, but the standout has to be a mint condition 1991 pressing of Nirvana's Nevermind. I'm still in disbelief that we got our hands on it.

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

Managing inventory in a small shop means making tough choices. We can't stock everything for everyone, so I focus on curating a collection that serves most of our community well while keeping the essentials people are looking for. That's exactly why we offer special requests, so we can still help you find that specific record, even if it's not on our shelves right now.

What has been the craziest experience that has happened at the shop?

The wildest thing we've done so far was jumping straight into hosting three back-to-back shows for our grand re-opening despite never having put on a single show before. It was ambitious, maybe a little crazy, but we wanted to do something meaningful. We're working to be that "third place" for our community—not home, not work, but somewhere you actually want to be. Live music, trivia nights, and events like these are how we make that happen.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you're doing?  

Stay grounded in why you started, which I hope is for the love of music and what it brings to people's lives. 

That passion has to be at the center of every decision you make. Yes, the financial side matters. You need to hit profitability, pay your bills, and build a sustainable business. But if you start making choices purely from a spreadsheet mentality rather than from genuine care for the music and your community, customers will feel it immediately. They'll sense when a store is transactional versus when it's a labor of love, and they won't come back to a place that's lost its soul. The economics will follow when you create something people truly connect with but only if you protect what makes your store special in the first place.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you're excited or worried about?  i.e. innovation, or trends you're seeing.

I'm really excited about the sustainability push happening in vinyl right now. Manufacturers are getting creative with eco-friendly materials - think recycled components, energy-efficient motors, and better packaging that doesn't trash the planet. Some companies are even experimenting with alternatives to traditional vinyl materials to cut down on environmental impact. It's cool to see the industry evolving in a way that lets us keep loving records without the guilt.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself?  What drew you to it?

I'm a relatively new vinyl collector myself (although my collection grows…daily). I've been at it on and off for a few years. What pulled me into this industry was a genuine love of music and a desire to help fuel that passion in others. But there's something deeper too: we're all glued to our phones constantly, and vinyl offers this rare chance to disconnect. There's real value in putting down the screen, dropping the needle on a record, and just being present with the music.

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry?

The Record Store Day conference was incredible. I instantly felt welcomed by everyone there. The community is so warm and supportive, and meeting other store owners made me believe I could actually pull this off. We hadn't even been accepted into RSD yet, so I was jumping the gun a bit, but being in that room with people who got it was exactly the inspiration I needed.

Anything else you want to share? If not, tell us what you're listening to right now?

Right now I'm obsessed with the emo resurgence. There's something incredible about watching younger fans discover the records I loved in the early/mid-2000s while also embracing the new bands who are taking that same sound somewhere fresh. It's bittersweet realizing some of my favorite albums are now over 20 years old, ouch. 

It’s incredibly difficult to name a favorite band or genre, but I do want to share my favorites from this year -  Hayley Williams' Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, Wednesday's Bleeds, Momma's Welcome to My Blue Sky, Wolf Alice The Clearing, Geese’s Getting Killed (honorable mention for last year’s solo Cameron Winter album that I can’t stop listening to) and Dijon’s Baby. I also love Olivia Dean’s album, it’s absolutely our most requested album this holiday season.