Coachella co-founder and chief executive of Goldenvoice, Paul Tollett, will be opening a new record store in Atwater Village named Record Safari Los Angeles.

Built in 1925, the freestanding building was used as a recording studio for the past 30 years; Sonora Recording helped shape albums by Elliott Smith, Nancy Sinatra, The Backstreet Boys, and many more well known musical ventures. In line with the musical history of the property, the 1,900 square foot building will be transformed into a beautiful record store. The 10,200 square-foot lot has its own parking lot and outdoor space and will be able to host small community events like concerts and food trucks.  

While small business owners have been hurt badly by the coronavirus pandemic, Tollett is taking a bold new step by opening a record store. While most people seem to be streaming music these days, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that vinyl sales in 2020 exceeded the sales of CDs for the first time since 1986. 

“After multiple bids on this special locale in Atwater Village, we are thrilled to secure a tenant here whose future use will honor the history of the property’s recording studio roots while also shaping it to be a new placemaking destination for the music industry and local community,” said landlord representative Christine Deschaine. “As the Los Angeles retail market continues on its road to recovery, this brick-and-mortar location showcases its staying power and the consumer demand for experiential retail.”

Located at 3222 Los Feliz Blvd, Record Safari Los Angeles will serve as a sister store to Tollett’s main location, Glass House Record Store in Pomona, California.