CLOVERDALE — I was here to talk about records and the Paplinski brothers didn’t disappoint.
“What’s playing now?” I asked them as we sat in the back of their Urban Safari Vintage Store in downtown Cloverdale on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s a blues tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan,” replied Allan.
Nice.
And when that record finished?
Johnny Cash.
Even better.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
With an estimated 30,000 vinyl LPs, thousands of CDs, cassette tapes and even rebuilt 8-track tapes, these guys know their stuff. And it’s no surprise that brothers Dennis and Allan Paplinski would know a thing or two about records and vintage electronics.
After all, Dennis has been servicing vintage electronics for more than 30 years.
“I keep telling everyone when they come in that our tech guy has been fixing the vintage electronics before they were vintage,” Allan said with a laugh.
The brothers opened their store, which used to be called Timeless Treasures, in July. Not wanting to be a thrift store, but rather establish a focus on records and vintage electronics, they have spent the past six months restoring some of the previous store’s electronics and “weeding out” the stuff they don’t want to have in their store.
Part of this work includes countless hours cleaning old LPs and researching and pricing them. For this, young volunteers from nearby schools have been a big help (one volunteer, Schaefer Poppleton, told me the most records he has cleaned in a six-hour shift is 100).
The Paplinskis, who also own and operate Valley Copiers, said right from the start, their vintage store was designed to support a local non-profit organization close to their heart.
PICTURED: Volunteer Schaefer Poppleton carefully cleans an old LP. The most records he has cleaned in a six-hour shift is 100. (Photo: BEAU SIMPSON)
After hearing about Urban Safari Rescue Society a few years ago, they were impressed with the organization’s dedication to helping rescue and care for exotic animals and started helping right away. (In fact, the first thing they did was donate a copier.)
Now, the vintage store not only donates money off the top every month, it also works hard to promote the rescue society and educate its customers about Urban Safari. And how better to bring awareness than to name your business after it?
“We figured why not just call it the same thing,” Dennis said. “Urban Safari is a cool name anyways for a vintage store.”
Urban Safari Rescue Society owner Gary Oliver is a big fan.
“Having their help really means a lot to us,” said Oliver. “When you run a non-profit society trying to rescue animals, you don’t have money pouring in the door. Any support we get is appreciated.”
And Oliver isn’t just a friend to the Paplinskis – he’s also one of their best customers.
“I love what these guys are doing here. So much so that I spend all my money here.”
To donate your old records, electronics or vintage items (except clothing or furniture), visit Urban Safari Vintage Store at 5754 176 St.