Sisters Are Bringing Back Vinyl to The Factory

On November 7, 2015 Luna Record Shop will open in The Factory at Franklin located in historic Franklin, TN. The new store describes itself as a “vinyl lifestyle” retail shop, selling new and used vinyl records along with music inspired gifts. The store is co-owned by two sisters, Calvert Gentry McMahan and Brenna Gentry. The sisters are fourth generation Franklin natives, who decided to fulfill a long time dream of opening and running a store together after collectively spending 15 plus years working in retail and having a passion for bringing their joy of music shopping to life.

Luna RecordThe new vinyl selection at Luna will focus on rare imports, limited edition pressings, and local music, including select pressings from Third Man Records. The used vinyl selection will cover many genres and eras. The store will also purchase your gently used vinyl, and the sisters are currently curating a unique selection of gifts that they feel compliment their “vinyl lifestyle” boutique. Also available will be store branded shirts, totes, vintage audio, and other music paraphernalia.

“We’re trying to bring back a record store experience that is not currently here in Franklin. Music lovers miss it and younger generations haven’t experienced it,” says Brenna. “There is something about record shopping that I think people really enjoy. In the age of the internet, music can be overwhelming. There is something about being able to see and touch what you are choosing to commit to musically,” says Calvert.
“For me, music was the only thing that my parents did not censor. They fully let me do whatever I wanted in regards to what kind of music I listened too,” says Calvert. “Our parents were very encouraging to us as young children and their records were not kept off limits,” adds Brenna.

Calvert and Brenna’s parents often brought them to local musical gatherings, which were often more quaint and impromptu gatherings with extremely talented musicians who resided in the area. “Franklin was still a secret then, and musicians could move here without getting bothered by anyone. It created a very eclectic, song writing community that my parents really embraced,” says Brenna.

Luna will focus on giving customers the opportunity to enjoy and value music the way Calvert and Brenna were raised, in an environment that is, in a sense, limitless. “There’s a mystery and appeal of taking a chance on something you haven’t heard, and I feel that vinyl can make people appreciate music in a different way. The nature of vinyl forces listeners to listen to records the way they were meant to be enjoyed – as a whole work, not just individual songs,” says Calvert.

In addition to the storefront, the sisters will continue to operate www.lunarecordshop.com, which will offer a small sampling of what can be found in the stores. Currently, the store plans on being open Tuesdays- Fridays from 11am-6pm, and on Saturdays from 9am-6pm.

Read More About What’s New & Changing at The Factory