JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Black-owned business in the Lackawanna neighborhood has been around for over 50 years.

That business is DJ’s Record Shop.

Owner Jerry West said he’s been keeping the community listening to hits for decades.

The shop has been in its current location at the corner of McDuff and Edison Avenues since 1974 but has been in existence since 1968.

“When I started I had less than $50,” West said.

West said when he started there were around 14 records shops in the area. Now, his shop is the last one standing.

“It’s just something about music I love,” West said. “Like I said I’ve been doing it ever since I was 19.”

West said although he’s been around for decades, his sales have gone through ups and downs.

But recently with the resurgence of vinyl records things have been good.

“I’m surprised at some of the people that come in now,” West said. “Like I said I had a young lady come in she was probably about 13 years old and she asked for some Beethoven and when she asked me that I was shocked.”

According to Luminate, from 2016 to 2023, vinyl album sales have increased from around 13.1 million albums to 49.6 million albums.

News4JAX also spoke with two DJs who are vinyl enthusiasts, Mr. Al Pete and NickFresh.

NickFresh also uses vinyl records while he DJs.

Mr. Al Pete said he owns about 300 vinyls’ while NickFresh said he has about 10,000.

Both men said music, vinyls, and shops like DJ’s Record Shop have provided them with so much in life.

“It shaped everything I do,” Mr. Al Pete said. “I mean any and everything I do, in regards to life, music has always been the instructor.”

“This is your history; this is our history and it’s important that we continue to share it,” NickFresh said.

West said another reason he believes records are doing so well right now is because everything in the music industry is cyclical.

“Like I say records are here to stay,” West said.

Since he said they’re here to stay, he’ll try to stay around as long as possible so people can buy them from him.