The Analog Dope Store
Although we live in the digital age, vinyl has made a resurgence among people wanting to listen to the raw sound of music and who love the nostalgia of it all. Analog Dope, a vinyl bookstore located in Downtown Las Vegas along the Art District, places high importance on delivering its visitors a genuine and nostalgic experience. As a unique shopping experience, they offer print books and vinyl records in one store.
The Making of Analog Dope
The Analog Dope Store owners are Rachelle “Analog LUST” Luster and Cierra “Charlie Muse” Luster. The name Analog Dope comes from Rachelle. Rachelle’s knowledge as a producer and audio engineer, along with her deep understanding of the fundamentals and principles of analog, inspired the creation of a brand based on those principles.
The physical manifestation of vinyl and books represents “analog,” and “dope” is the nostalgic feeling you find in those items. Rachelle explains these two things are what Analog Dope means and stands for.
“You don’t have to convince people to want an experience of a vinyl record or reading a physical book,” Rachelle explains. “It’s a yearning, a calling on the soul to want the depth of what comes with having that book or that vinyl record.”
Music and books often provide the reader or listener with a way to escape or temporarily forget the present. Vinyl records and physical books were part of the owners’ childhood. During the pandemic, they reminisced about simpler times. The journey of The Analog Dope Store helped Rachelle and Charlie reconnect with the world.
The pandemic was brutal on everyone, but Rachelle and Charlie solidified and grew their business despite it. Previously, they mainly sold apparel and a few books online only. However, amid the pandemic, they came together, realized what they valued most, and opened up a physical store.
Customers can enjoy a distinctive experience at Analog Dope. Nothing is rushed or fast-paced. Books and vinyl are about enjoying the moment and pausing. Analog Dope stays true to that old-school record store environment by offering this environment.
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Creating Their Own Space in the Community
When starting a business, finding your people is essential. Per Rachelle and Charlie’s observations, the Black community in Las Vegas isn’t as lively as in Oakland, California. There, the owners witnessed Black-owned businesses being fundamental to the community.
Rachelle and Charlie have been residents of Las Vegas for 20 years, and due to their upbringing, they knew they wanted to help strengthen the presence of Black culture in the city.
“The spectrum of our voices and perspectives are not widely accessible here,” Rachelle said. “We wanted to create a safe space committed to learning, accessibility to information, community, and growth.”
Although Las Vegas is a different environment than Rachelle and Charlie grew up in, they are happy with the home they’ve selected for Analog Dope. “Our DTLV community and the greater Las Vegas valley has been extremely inviting and inclusive,” Rachelle said. “We couldn’t be in a better location.”
We now live in a world where consumerism is available through one click. Streaming sites like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal make it easy for people to listen to music without getting up.
However, Analog Dope offers a different experience. “The difference between getting people to buy records and not listen on their phone is a matter of convenience versus experience,” Rachelle said. “Physical books and vinyl records allow connectedness outside phones and other digital devices.”
Rachelle and Charlie are ready to welcome anyone open to this memorable experience.
Get in Motion with The Analog Dope Store
With Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights and cozy Christmas tunes by Mariah Carey, The Temptations, and Charlie Brown, Charlie takes care of you in the vinyl department. This time of year is ideal for it.
Rachelle has you covered with great book recommendations such as All About Love by Bell Hooks, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Despite their personal favorites, they will make sure you leave with an item that fits your taste.
They plan to expand Analog Dope into a bigger space for creatives, local authors, and artists to hold more significant events and do more community outreach. They are currently working to accomplish these tasks for the spring of 2023.
Shop online at The Analog Dope Store’s website or visit their physical store, located at 205 East Colorado Avenue. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
To learn more and stay in touch with them, sign up for their email list and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
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