Resident Vinyl Founder Owen Ela poses in front of records available at his new store.  Customers will find a wide variety of genres, which fits into Ela’s business plan.  “I want this to be a more approachable record shop for new music buyers,” he says.

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Resident Vinyl

If your perfect afternoon includes hunting for vinyl records while sipping coffee, then Resident Vinyl is just the spot you’ve been waiting for.  Nestled inside Contra Coffee, the new record store opened in July.

Resident Vinyl Founder Owen Ela grew up in Old Towne, and got his start in the industry through music marketing.  With more than 20 years of experience, he has worked with labels like Epitaph and Revelation Records, and managed retail marketing for numerous North American record stores early in his career.

“I think in the back of my head, I’ve been telling myself that one day I’ll open a record shop,” he says.  “Fast forward to now, and here we are. It’s an awesome homecoming for me.”

At Resident Vinyl, Ela doesn’t focus on just one genre.  Instead, the store offers a wide variety of newer records, from pop, indie rock and hip hop to classic bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

“My son was one of the first customers on opening day, and he got two very different records: the rap hit ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and the heavy metal song ‘Raining Blood,’” says Dr. Alex Romero, who operates Orange Circle Optometry and is a longtime friend of Ela’s.  “It’s so cool how Owen has cultivated and handpicked this broad spectrum where all music fans of all types can go.”

Creating a space for all music fans is exactly Ela’s goal.  He hopes to develop a music network in Old Towne and inspire a new appreciation for music through his carefully curated inventory, expert recommendations and future events.

“There aren’t a lot of businesses here that cater to local bands and local musicians,” says Ela.  “I wanted to serve that clientele while bringing music back to Old Towne, whether that’s having more in-store events or anything we can do to build the local music community.”

The shop is a welcome addition to Old Towne’s bustling business scene.  Dr. Romero says he loves seeing new retail spaces flourish, which he feels brings more diversity to the Plaza.

Shoppers can also purchase record players at Resident Vinyl, introducing younger audiences to the special and distinct experience of vinyl.

Ela’s foray into vinyl records is well-timed.  While vinyl record sales plummeted from the 1990s through the early 2000s, they have since steadily climbed.  In 2005, annual sales were $14.2 million, reaching $1.2 Billion in 2022, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

“Resident Vinyl is turning a new generation of kids onto the idea of vinyl and the tangible aspects of music collection,” says Todd Calvert, who grew up with Ela.

Resident Vinyl
115 North Orange St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-788-4016