Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly & Michael Sacco

Hi Kelly & Michael , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Owning a record store was always our dream escape on bad workdays. We had no experience or qualifications, but that didn’t stop us from imagining it—right down to the name: The Records Department. When we found out that our community’s incubator for new businesses would be housed in The Old Courthouse, we knew it was time to act. So, we took a leap, used our savings, and connected with the Small Business Development Center to turn our dream into reality.

As long-time collectors of modern music (and with one of us being female), we noticed a gap in the local record shop scene. Many stores in our area didn’t feel welcoming to younger collectors, women, or people new to vinyl. They often seemed intimidating, with complex audio setups and an atmosphere that felt more like a club for seasoned collectors. Shops were musty, records were old, and everything felt outdated and exclusive. We set out to change that.

When we opened our shop, some folks doubted us. Traditional collectors came in expecting crates of vintage records, but instead found fresh pressings of modern music. We heard plenty of, “This will never work.” But we didn’t let it discourage us. We knew there were others like us—people looking for a more inviting, fresh experience—and they found us.

In just a year, we grew from a 298-square-foot incubator space to a thriving 1,100-square-foot storefront with a loyal community and strong sales to match.

We incorporate as much community as we can into our space, turning a record store into a place where folks find creative opportunities that inspire them. We host live music: open mics & live music from both local musicians and folks on tour. We host a Poetry Open Mic, sci-fi paint nights, new music listening parties, and art exhibits. We are excited to be starting a series that features established musicians alongside of new talent from all over the region in the new year.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Balancing the record store with both of us working full-time jobs outside of it has been one of the biggest challenges. Managing the store on top of our regular jobs is a constant juggling act. It’s tough to find time for everything—handling the day-to-day operations of the shop, managing inventory, organizing events, and still keeping up with personal life all while while putting in 40 hours for the day jobs.

Work-life balance can feel strained, especially when you’re passionate about growing a business, but there are only so many hours in a day. We’ve had to get creative with time management and rely on a strong support system to keep everything moving forward. We have fused our favorite pastimes; live music and record collecting with our business so while it isn’t always easy, work here sometimes feels like play.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

What sets us apart? It’s the fact that people just like us walk into the shop and stumble upon records they never expected to find. Hearing someone gasp when they discover something special—honestly, it happens every day, and it never gets old. That’s what makes us different. We specialize in niche music that’s often overlooked, working closely with small labels to ensure everything from Midwest emo, Chicago punk, post-hardcore, black metal, indie rock, top 40, hip hop, jazz—you name it—are all here, waiting to be discovered.

But most importantly, we listen to people. We pay attention to what they’re searching for and make sure to track it down for their next visit. It might send us down a rabbit hole to find adjacent music that will excite folks. Our shop reflects everyone who shops here because of that attention to detail.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?

Our new location is a historic building built in 1892. It was originally a tavern and in the basement, there are long-ago bricked-in doorways to what is likely an old tunnel system. As many folks know, we always give a nod to the paranormal in our branding and merch.
However, we didn’t truly believe in ghosts until moving into this building. Now we greet the ghosties each day and give them a rundown on anything unusual we might have planned. Doing that seems to keep the spooky shenanigans to a minimum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.recordsdepartmentwoodstock.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_records_department/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therecordsdepartment/