Stacy has spent the past 15 years at Grooveyard Records in Penticton, British Columbia, where she now serves as store manager. Whether she's helping customers discover their next favorite record or publishing IN THE GROOVE, a fanzine celebrating vinyl culture and the people who make it special, Stacy is passionate about fostering connections through music.

A longtime destination for record collectors in British Columbia's Okanagan region, Grooveyard Records is known for its carefully curated selection of new and used vinyl, knowledgeable staff, and welcoming atmosphere. More than just a record store, it's a gathering place for music lovers, where discovering new artists and sharing a love of physical media go hand in hand.

When not at work, Stacy is deep into pop culture. She's a big WWE fan, and loves anything creative like arts & crafts, writing and photography, and is drawn to things that tell a story in some way. Stacy is also an animal person, so spending time with animals or just getting out for a walk helps her balance out the busy pace of the store.

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

I actually came from a healthcare background, but as a kid I always had this idea in the back of my mind that working in a record store would be the dream. On my lunch breaks, I’d go for walks and almost always end up at the Grooveyard. It became part of my routine, just being in that space and around music.

One day I was in there venting about not getting a vacation request approved, and LeAnne, the owner at the time, casually offered me a job. I took the leap, and it ended up becoming the thing I’d kind of always wanted without fully realizing it.

What is a day in the life like?

No two days are really the same, but there’s definitely a rhythm to it. I usually start by pulling web orders, receiving shipments, and getting new stock out on the floor. Then it shifts into posting on socials about new arrivals, helping customers, and talking music pretty much all day with all kinds of people.

There’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes work, researching artists, pricing used vinyl, and going through drop-offs, which is basically digging through other people’s collections to see what treasures are in there.

In between all that, the phone’s always ringing with every kind of question you can imagine. It’s a mix of retail, music discovery, and constant human interaction, which is what keeps it interesting.

Favorite sale / relationship made from behind the counter?

I don’t think I could pick just one favourite, but I did meet (Lawrence) Gowan in the shop once, which was pretty surreal. More than anything though, it’s the relationships that stand out. You see the same people come in, you get to know their taste, have ongoing conversations, and over time they stop feeling like customers and start feeling like friends. That sense of community is a big part of what makes the job so rewarding.

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:

For me, it was a Victory-era Jacksons promo record that originally came with Kellogg’s cereal in the ’80s. It’s one of those pieces where music and pop culture collide, and it ended up being worth a lot more than I could justify spending. Definitely one of those moments where you’re pricing something and thinking, “do I really have to put this out?” but you do.

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

The hardest part has been losing LeAnne to cancer in 2020. She was such a big part of the shop, and of my own path into this industry. After that, it was about finding a way to keep the store going while also processing that loss, and at the same time having ongoing conversations with customers who knew her and felt it too. It wasn’t just a workplace loss, it was something the whole community experienced.

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

Honestly, I wouldn’t say there’s one “craziest” moment, but there have been a lot of memorable ones. Meeting Gowan in the shop was definitely up there for me, that was a pretty unreal moment.

More than anything, it’s been the in-store events and the energy that comes with them. Live music, busy Record Store Days, just those moments where the shop is full and buzzing. Nothing too wild, but a lot of really fun, meaningful experiences that stick with you.

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

You don’t have to know everything going in, but being curious, open, and willing to learn every day is what really makes the difference.

Start with retail and customer service experience. It honestly doesn’t matter where, but learning how to work with people is a huge part of the job and something you can’t really fake. At the same time, build your music knowledge beyond just your personal taste. It helps to know a bit of everything, different decades, genres, formats, and how people actually listen.

Also, just spend time in record stores. Pay attention to how things are organized, how staff interact with customers, and how the space feels. That kind of hands-on, real-world learning goes a long way. You don’t have to know everything going in, but being curious, open, and willing to learn every day is what really makes the difference.

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 biggest things I’ve noticed is how open younger people are to exploring music. They’ll pick up anything, different decades, different genres, even stuff a lot of us might’ve written off years ago. It’s less about “good” or “bad” and more about the experience of discovering it for themselves, which is actually really refreshing. It reminds me that every generation is hearing things for the first time. What feels overplayed or questionable to us is brand new to them, and they get to form their own connection to it.

On the flip side, I do think the industry still has challenges around pricing and accessibility. Vinyl has grown a lot, but it can be expensive, and that can be a barrier for people just getting into it.

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

Yes, I am. I think I always have been in some way. I grew up around it, my parents and older brother had vinyl, cassettes, VHS, so it was just part of my environment. When I moved out, I started taking some of those records with me, old Beatles albums, Gowan, things like that, and then slowly adding my own. With every move, I was hauling around more and more, so the collection just naturally grew over time. It never really felt like a “hobby” I picked up later, it was just something that was always there and kept building along with my life.

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

LeAnne was definitely the most influential person in my growth. She opened The Grooveyard on her own in 1990, and built it into more than just a record store, it became a space for community, music discovery, and connection.

She had a real passion not just for music, but for young people and giving them opportunities, whether that was through working in the shop or just having a place to come and feel welcome. Being around that shaped how I approach the store now, not just as a business, but as something that can create experiences and relationships. A lot of what I do today comes from what I learned from her, even years later.

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

My taste is kind of all over the place, which comes with the territory. I tend to lean toward post-punk, new wave, garage rock, Northern Soul, and hip hop.

To name a very small few....I love Gowan (obviously), The Beach Boys, Green Day, Nirvana, Queen Latifah, Run-D.M.C., Gary Numan, The Jam, The Cars, Jack White, Peter Gabriel, The Pretty Things, Small Faces, and The Phenomenauts, and yes, even New Kids on the Block. Honestly, the list is always expanding, which is part of what I love about being around music every day.