At the heart of Black Hills Vinyl is Jennifer Calabrese — the co-owner and operator whose love of records shapes the store. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jennifer oversees the day-to-day operations of the shop, thoughtfully keeping the bins stocked with both familiar favorites and soon-to-be discoveries. Her path into vinyl began more than fifteen years ago as a collector alongside her husband Michael, spending countless hours digging through thrift stores in the Boulder and Denver area. What started as a personal passion — and a Discogs side hustle to manage an ever-growing collection — slowly evolved into something much bigger.

Black Hills Vinyl is the result of a leap of faith that paid off. After relocating to Rapid City in late 2014 and officially taking ownership on January 1, 2015, Jennifer and Michael steadily built the shop into a well-stocked destination for collectors and casual listeners alike. Today, the store carries a broad, thoughtfully curated selection of new and used vinyl spanning genres and eras, alongside CDs, cassettes, turntables and stereo gear, books, apparel, and even disc golf discs. Known for full bins, and an easy-to-browse layout, Black Hills Vinyl has earned a reputation as a go-to stop for both locals and travelers.

Like many small business owners, one of the realities of owning and running an operation like this, means downtime can be hard to come by and when not at the shop, Jennifer is already planning her next project. But when she does manage to step away from the store, she loves spending time with her husband and their daughter. She says: "We love to travel with her and in her short life, she's already visited 9 different states! I also really enjoy cooking and baking, and baking in particular has turned into a creative outlet for me. Over the years, I’ve collected vintage cookbooks, and I love flipping through them, rediscovering forgotten recipes, and reimagining them with new flavor combinations. It’s a slower, hands-on process that feels both grounding and expressive, something that balances out the fast pace of the store."

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

About fifteen years ago, my husband Michael and I got into vinyl simply as collectors. We spent countless hours digging through thrift stores around the Boulder/Denver area, hunting for records to add to our personal collection. But before long, we had accumulated far more than we had the space for, so we started a Discogs account and began selling the records that didn’t make the cut for our permanent shelves. We'd use that extra income to pick up new albums to add to our collection, with one of our favorite stores being Twist & Shout. After doing that for a few years, an unexpected opportunity came along. Michael stumbled upon a record store that was just getting off the ground that was listed for sale on Craigslist.

We decided to take a leap of faith, pack up our lives and the 4,000 records we’d accumulated, and moved six hours north to Rapid City, SD on Christmas Eve 2014. We officially took ownership of the shop on January 1, 2015, and have been growing ever since. Over the past eleven years, we’ve moved the store into its permanent home, expanded beyond vinyl to include all kinds of physical media (and disc golf), and truly built a community and a home for ourselves here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

What is a day in the life like?

These days, a “day in the life” looks a little different now that I’m a new(ish) mom to a spunky 15-month-old named Melody, but in many ways, it’s still very much the same. On weekdays, we’re up and heading to the shop together. No two days are ever identical, but most start with setting my team up for success on the sales floor before I head to the back office. From there, it’s a mix of answering emails, ordering new releases and restocks, updating inventory and incoming merch, and keeping up with all the not-so-glamorous but necessary parts of running a small business, all while wrangling a curious toddler.

On the weekends, I find myself on the floor enjoying the fun of owning a record store. Throwing listening events, talking music with customers, and just enjoying the vibe that I've worked so hard (with lots of help) to achieve. My favorite days are sprinkled with visits from longtime customers, where we get to catch up, talk about music, and check in on life. Those moments are a reminder of why we do what we do and what makes the shop feel like home.

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

It’s hard to point to a single favorite sale or relationship, because over the last decade I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build meaningful connections with so many people who’ve walked through our doors. Standing behind the counter at a record store isn’t all that different from being a bartender, as music has a way of opening people up, and those conversations tend to go far beyond what’s playing on the turntable. I’ve been a shoulder to cry on, shared in celebrations and milestones, and, at times, had to say goodbye to people who became dear friends. I’ve watched kids grow up, graduate college, and some have even started families of their own.

My life has genuinely been changed for the better by the customers who trusted me with their stories, who made me laugh, made me cry, and made me cry laughing. Those who allowed me to be part of their lives in small but meaningful ways. There are some moments that stand out more than others, but collectively, those relationships have shaped who I am and are something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

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:

This was technically before we took ownership of the shop, but the single coolest record I’ve ever found and sold was an original pressing of Beat Bop, the 12" by K-Rob and Rammellzee. The record’s original run of 500 and provenance is what made it so special, as it was not only produced by Jean-Michel Basquiat, but also had its sleeve and label designed by him. It was one of those albums that makes you seriously consider keeping it instead of letting it go, as you know you will more than likely never see an original again (and I still haven't).

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

Saying goodbye is never easy, but in this job it often isn’t as simple as a farewell. Over the years, I’ve lost customers who became friends, and I don’t always get the closure that comes with knowing a goodbye is coming. Sometimes a visit is the last one, and neither of us knows it at the time. There’s no finality in the last conversation, just the expectation that it will pick back up where we left it next time, until one day we don’t. Instead, I hear the news secondhand, or their collection finds its way back into the store through their children or family members. That part is incredibly hard. It’s taught me to be present, to not take any conversation or moment for granted, and to recognize how much these relationships matter while we still have them.

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

There are plenty of moments that could qualify as the “craziest,” from the countless mosh pits that broke out during our DIY shows in the early years to the number of touring artists who’ve wandered into the shop while passing through town.

But just this past summer, one really stood out. While a couple of our younger employees were working, Sebastian Bach casually walked in. They didn’t recognize him at first, but he pulled a Skid Row record from the bins, brought it to the counter, and proudly announced that he was in the band. He then offered to sign it for our wall of autographed vinyl. Over the years, most musicians who come through prefer to fly under the radar, so it was a genuinely welcome surprise to have Sebastian be so open and generous. Now there’s a signed Skid Row record hanging on our wall.

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

If you’re considering this path, be prepared to work constantly, adapting as you go, all while staying open and available to the connections that form from your customers wanting to share their music passion with you. Forging those relationships are what make the long days worth it.

Owning a small business is hard work. It will humble you daily, and the grind is very real, but it also can be incredibly rewarding. For the first several years of running Black Hills Vinyl, I often felt like I was figuring everything out on my own. I relied heavily on my instincts and focused on creating the kind of store I would want to shop in myself. Finally attending Record Store Day Summer Camp changed everything for me. It showed me that I wasn’t alone and introduced me to a community of peers I could lean on for guidance, support, and perspective.

My advice is to seek out that community early. Get involved with Record Store Day programs, attend events like Summer Camp, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or share challenges with other store owners. Participating in RSD coordinated listening events has helped us connect our customers to the larger music world, even when we’re the only shop in South Dakota or sometimes within a 200-mile radius, taking part. Building that sense of belonging, both for yourself and for your customers, is just as important as the records on the shelves.

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.

One of the trends that genuinely excites me is the broader return of physical media. Vinyl has continued to grow, but we’re also seeing renewed interest in CDs, cassettes, and even physical movies. Younger generations, in particular, seem eager to own the things they love as a tangible expression of their fandom. While they may not collect everything they stream, there’s a clear desire to support their favorite artists by owning the releases that matter most to them.

That shift feels meaningful, and it suggests a move back toward intention and connection in how people engage with music. It gives me hope not just for vinyl, but for the future of independent shops focusing on community and the experience of discovering something you can actually hold in your hands.

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

I’ve always joked that my record collection is really just the contents of the store, but I also keep a modest collection of around 1,000 at home. It’s made up of records that feel either irreplaceable or deeply nostalgic. The ones I know I’d regret letting go.

I’m especially drawn to New Orleans artists and funk, so that makes up a big part of what I keep. I'm also adding to that part of my collection monthly, by being a subscriber to the Tipitina’s Record Club since its inception.

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

One of the most influential experiences for me was attending my first Record Store Day Summer Camp. As a new camper, I signed up for a buddy to help introduce me to others and give me a sense of the landscape. I was incredibly lucky that Carrie from RSD paired me with Paige Brodsky of Streetlight Records in San Jose. From that very first week, Paige became not just a guide within the industry, but someone I could genuinely lean on. Over the years, she’s been a confidant, a source of steady guidance, and a reminder that this work is as much about people as it is about records. I’ve turned to her for advice on store decisions, perspective on challenges, and even life beyond the shop. She has always met me with generosity, honesty, and an open heart. Paige continues to show up for this community, mentoring new RSD campers and serving as a true force within the indie retail space. Her willingness to share her knowledge and care so deeply for others has had a lasting impact on my growth, and I’m endlessly grateful for her influence.

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

If you looked at my Tidal listening history, you might assume I only listen to Yo Gabba Gabba these days (shout out to DJ Lance Rock!), but I promise I do enjoy music not made for children. I try to spend time with all the new Friday releases so I can stay familiar with what’s coming into the shop, which keeps my ears busy and doesn’t always leave room for old favorites.

Lately, though, I’ve been really drawn to electropop and anything with strong, synth-driven melodies. It’s been the perfect soundtrack for this new season of life that has me constantly on the move.