Chuck Roast, a former punk rock radio DJ and owner of Vinal Edge Records, said his record store gets more foot traffic now than it has in its last 40 years of operation.

He said the yearning for more immersive music experience is only growing stronger.

“I think [for] people who grew up just pushing buttons on their phone, when they're introduced to the tactile element of a record player—and it's this thing that spins and the diamond needle is sitting on it—it just creates an experience,” Roast said. “Now, you're not just listening to music as a background. You are actively making this thing work.”

Staying local

Established in October 1985 in the Houston Heights neighborhood, Vinal Edge sells a collection of vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, turn tables, t-shirts and stickers.Roast knew he wanted his business to be located in the Heights because of its creative aspects—including its thrift stores, junk shops and Casa Ramirez, a cultural pillar offering a selection of folk art, Mexican dresses and local artist’s work.

Respecting the craft

Over the last four decades, Roast’s palate has become much more eclectic. He serves as the head of the Indonesian Arts Foundation and performs with Gamelan of the New Moon, an instrumental ensemble celebrating music from the southeastern Asian country.Roast said he most enjoys learning from the Vinal Edge staff, who have expertise in techno, rap, rock and other genres. As a collector of records, he said his love for music grows more every day.

“If you immerse yourself in a lot of different cultures musically, you’ll learn a lot of different things,” Roast said.

• 239 W. 19th St., Houston
• www.vinaledge.com