The hip Strawberry Hill neighborhood of KCK is getting a new nonprofit record shop with its own bar, thanks to two people with a deep love for the neighborhood.
Back in the early summer, Shaun Crowley of Manor Records approached Dan Castillo, owner of The Mockingbird Lounge, about finding a building to open a new record store. Castillo knew of just the spot—an old building on 6th Street, newly remodeled by Matt Tomasic.
“I’ve been daydreaming about opening a nonprofit bar for years now,” Castillo says, and when Crowley proposed the idea of a record store, sparks went off. The concept was a nonprofit record shop and bar, and Crowley was onboard. After a lot of meetings and planning, the two settled on a mission.
Half of the profits will go to local musicians and half will be used to benefit the Strawberry Hill neighborhood. Castillo has lived in Strawberry Hill for five years now and values the community. “I see a lot of potential in the area and would hate to see it do anything other than flourish,” Castillo says. “The idea is to improve sidewalks, install municipal grade trash cans and street lights and hopefully propagate more nonprofit small businesses that the neighborhood would find valuable.”
The project is still in its early stages, but Castillo and Crowley hope to open later this year. As for the vibe, Castillo hopes to give the space a mid-century feel with retro furniture and penny or subway tile—something that looks as inviting and sharp as vinyl sounds.
