K-Solo Vintage is the next big thing in Highland Park

As new record store K-Solo Vintage prepares for its grand opening at 458 Central Ave. in Highland Park on Sunday, Nov. 3, owner Kevin Weinstein is also gearing up to part with hundreds of vinyl records from his personal collection. 

Weinstein estimates that there will be 3,000 records — new and used as well as rare originals for collectors and music enthusiasts alike — lining the store’s shelves for opening day.

“I’m a music lover, and I really put my heart into this collection,” Weinstein told The Record North Shore. “I really think this is a pretty solid, solid collection, especially our new stuff, and our used stuff is pretty out-of-sight, too.”

While he said his personal Rolling Stones collection may just “rip his heart out” to sell, there will be plenty of artists’ records up for grabs across a range of genres (both from Weinstein’s own collection and the many that he’s acquired for the store), including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Rap, in fact, is currently the largest selection slated to be available. 

Shoppers will be able to sit on vintage couches in the colorful shop and sample used records prior to purchase in a listening room with two turntables that is tucked into the corner of the store. 

The establishment of K-Solo’s brick-and-mortar space is part of a larger journey long in the making. 

A “vinyl guy” for as long as he can remember, Weinstein has fond memories of riding his bike to get Paul Simon’s hit single “You Can Call Me Al” from the album “Graceland” on a 45 rpm vinyl.

Any time his family members wanted to unload some of their vinyls, he said something inside of him beckoned, “Just take ‘em.” And take them he did, even moving cross-country with his ever-growing collection.

About a year ago, Weinstein said he realized he had all these albums and had to “stop just hoarding them,” so he opened an eBay store that generated a lot of interest. 

His wife, Taryn, who is a managing partner at a law firm, sparked the idea and encouraged him to open a brick-and-mortar store. They even came across the Highland Park space when Taryn was looking for a new office for her firm.

Taryn Fisher has helped curate the array of vintage clothing and accessories that will also be sold at the store, which Kevin Weinstein said include funky, cool dresses, shirts, and sweaters alongside timeless pieces, Levis, and college sweatshirts. 

“It’s just going to be a fun atmosphere, but not like ha-ha fun,” Weinstein explained. “It’s going to be cool stuff, cool decoration, good music, good clothes.”

The name K-Solo Vintage comes from a third-person-reference-to-self Weinstein said he subconsciously made up whenever he was going to do something by himself, saying he was “going K-Solo” as in Kevin-solo. 

For the grand opening on Nov. 3, dubbed “Beatles and Bagels,” visitors can expect a talented lineup of musicians, including Kevin’s son and his band. (The store is truly a family endeavor with the couple’s children lending a hand whenever they can.)

In addition to music (and, of course, food), K-Solo will be giving away some store swag and a record player. 

“If we do a good job and we open and we’re selling records, I don’t see what can be much better than just selling music and talking about music,” Weinstein said as he looks forward to welcoming the store’s first customers. “It’s just something that makes you feel good, and it’s a positive thing, in my opinion.”

Records at the store will range from $2.99 to $149.99, and the shop will be open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with the grand opening from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Those interested in learning more can check out the store’s website.

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