The Beachland Ballroom is the anchor of the Waterloo Arts District in Cleveland’s Collinwood area, but music lovers can also hit three great record stores in two blocks; Music Saves, This Way Out and, for this feature post, Blue Arrow Records.
Pete and Debbie Gulyas have created a welcoming space (check out the floor below) with well-organized bins, while also offering some other neat cultural artifacts and Debbie’s clothing store, which include some of her own design.
We caught up with Pete and Debbie for some Q and A:
Why did you choose the Waterloo District for your location?
We were “drafted” to the Waterloo District by Mark Leddy and Cindy Barber. After we closed our vintage clothing (Renaissance Parlour, on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights), Mark and Cindy asked us to join them in creating THIS WAY OUT VINTAGE SHOPPE in the basement of the Beachland Ballroom (and we still remain partners with them in that venture). The Blue Arrow Building was empty and we first moved into the back portion of the building using the space for storage and Debbie’s studio. The front (which was divided into two separate businesses) was available and we thought that it would be good for the street if something cool and funky was there. Nothing was forthcoming so we decided that we would step forward and create a space which people would want to shop.
We opened the Record Shop in March of 2009. By October, 2010, we expanded to the adjoining space and opened BLUE ARROW BOUTIQUE (a vintage clothing boutique). Consequently, Waterloo District has 3 separate places to purchase music (Blue Arrow Records, This Way Out and Music Saves) and 3 separate places to shop for vintage clothing (Blue Arrow Boutique, This Way Out and Star Pop). We believe that this has helped to created a unique shopping destination not only for Cleveland but for the region.
You have a great selection of records spanning the spectrum of genres, are your own tastes also this broad?
As a youth, I was exposed to a wide variety of musical genres. Consequently, I have developed an appreciation for many different musical styles. And, yes, my personal collection reflects that appreciation.
What is the first record you bought, or received as a gift?
The first album I bought was “Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay” by Sha Na Na. I was probably 9 or 10 years old.
Debbie, your clothes are great- besides Nudie, do you have any other sources of inspiration? Do you own anything by Nudie?
I am inspired by most vintage clothing designs dating from the 1970s on back to the 1900s, but I do have a soft spot for designer Betsey Johnson who was married to John Cale from the Velvet Underground in the 70s. She has such a fun spirit and is able to translate that spirit into her clothing. Ossie Clark, one of the most important designers from the 1960s, also comes to mind…his influence is still felt in today’s clothing. My true inspiration though comes from my mother, who could look at a piece of clothing in the store and then re-create it at home. I had the best wardrobe growing up. I don’t quite have mom’s skills, but I’m not afraid to tackle an idea! I do not own an original Nudie, but did a small repair on one once!
The Waco Brothers and Ron Sexsmith above wearing Debbie creations.
For the crate-diggers among us, do you have any unusual stories of a customer being blown away by what he found and at that price?
As for the crate diggers, I am proud to say that Blue Arrow Records does not allow our stock to get stale. If items don’t move, we price them down and have quarterly BLOW OUT SALE (which, during the course of the sale, ends up at 6 for a dollar type of deals). Consequently, we always have people tell us, “I can’t believe that I bought this for such a unbelievable price.”
By the way, the next clearance sale is the weekend of February 11th. All of the proceeds from the clearance sale will go to the Waterloo Alley Cat Project which Debbie started to help the number of homeless cats in the neighborhood by spaying and neutering, then providing shelter and food.
On average, how many “new” used records are you bringing in per week?
There are at least a couple hundred new pieces to the shop hitting the bins each week.
What is the one used record that leaves the store as soon as you bring it in?
Of course, there are so many artist that always fly out the door as soon as they come in. A few obvious examples would be Miles Davis, Funkadelic, The Replacements, and Gram Parsons.
Pete, the floor is a work of art. Was there any cover, however, that you thought twice about donating forever to the floor?
No, because all of the covers that I used on the floor, the vinyl was already hammered. I have been collecting covers for years at thrift stores and garage sales. Whenever I came across a cover that interested me, I would buy it, even if the vinyl was scratched beyond recognition. By the way, the Artist with the most covers on the floor is the Rolling Stones (one of my all-time favorites). Obviously, Stones fans really wore those grooves out.
You opened your store in a down economic cycle- what gave you the confidence to do so, and are you seeing business improve along with the economy?
Truthfully, I didn’t even think about the state of the economy until after it was too late to turn back. I guess that we just followed our passions. We thought “These are the things that make us want to spend our money.” Therefore. if we created an inviting space and provide a good product, other vintage and vinyl junkies will want to spend their money as well. Sure enough, we have a growing customer base that want our services.
Is there any record that, if brought to you by a customer, would make it immediately into your personal collection?
OH GOD YES. In fact, there are many. High on my list is Nolan Porter’s self-titled album.
Blue Arrow Records and Boutique is located at 16001 Waterloo Road in Cleveland
