Legendary Phoenix record store in midtown is for sale

Central Phoenix record store Tracks in Wax Records surely had many people checking their bank accounts when its owner posted on Facebook on June 27 that he would like to sell the store. Many vinyl-loving folks are probably sitting around with pencils doing the math on making the dream of owning a record shop a reality.

Timmy Stamper has owned the iconic location for vinyl shopping for “about 10 years,” and is the second owner of the central Phoenix shop that has been in that location for 43 years. Initially, it was opened and owned by Dennis Chiesa and operated in large part by his brother Don Chiesa, both of whom have died. Stamper says Don’s presence at the store was “rockstar-like,” and completely synonymous with the retail joint.

Stamper loves what he does, but he’s ready for a change. “I don’t have to sell it,” he says. “It isn’t a money issue, and I’m not moving. I just want to be free from it, but I want it to keep going.”

In other words, he’ll stick it out until the right person comes along, but doing everything yourself on a daily basis can make it hard to find time for other life activities.

“I want to travel. I’ve put some things on hold. When I get home from work, I’m kind of done for the day. I don’t have the energy to do more. I want to play music and make records, and I’ve had to put those aside,” he says.

He thinks the right person is out there to take the reins. “I want it to keep going with someone with a fresh attitude and ideas. It’s such a great place. It has a certain magical energy that it has retained, and I know a lot of people feel that way about it.”

Interested parties can look at Stamper’s Facebook post for the details.