2008 Woodie Awards
Missoula rocks record store
Rockin' Rudy's captures Ma & Pa record store appeal
Dana Johnson
Issue date: 7/30/07 Section: Intermission
"Coolest store in Missoula: it had a lot of neat stuff. It's just like the usual vibes you get from a good head shop. Head shop maybe a place where people sell pipes, but I think it applies; it's a good music store," Ryan Johnson said.
Lee and Ryan Johnson are cousins from Utah and Minnesota that visit family every year in Missoula. Each year, they make it a point to stop by Rockin' Rudy's. Both were in the store picking up some CDs and gifts for loved ones at home.
"I also noticed that their music collection is better than most you see. At your generic music stores, you don't see bands like Primus or Ween or stuff like that available.
It was right up there compared to like Down in the Valley (in Maple Grove, Minn.) and Discontent (in Moorhead, Minn.). They have the same style of stuff, it's just bigger because they expanded into clothing, jewelry and the card section and stuff like that," Johnson said.
Walking around the store, there is a lot other than merchandise for customers to look at. Rare concert posters and limited release records decorate the walls.
Hand made Rockin' Rudy's posters and promotions advertise as well. The women's bathroom is decorated with famous women from the music industry; the men's is decorated with famous men.
Many customers can be spotted walking around without buying anything just to soak in the beauty of the place.
Despite the unique qualities of the store Huffman said it still suffered through many problems throughout the years.
"Probably the biggest problem would be trying to compete with the big buck stores that have moved in. Luckily this store is unique enough that people still want to come here, but it's hard to compete with prices with places like Wal-Mart. We have a lot of local supporters that shop here and refuse to go to other places," Huffman said.
Rockin' Rudy's has loyal supporters from the community, mostly because Rockin' Rudy's supports the community it lives in.
Outside the store, flyers from local concerts decorate the parking columns; inside, multiple bulletin boards post upcoming events. Rudy's places a full-page ad on the back page of the Missoulian, their local paper, informing customers of the latest items and sales.
In addition, most of the jewelry, pottery and other unique items are hand-made by artists in the area. Some of the unique qualities can bring the prices higher then what one will find at Target or Wal-Mart, but most of the items are one of a kind.
For more information about Rockin' Rudy's or to place online orders, visit www.rockinrudys.com.
Lee and Ryan Johnson are cousins from Utah and Minnesota that visit family every year in Missoula. Each year, they make it a point to stop by Rockin' Rudy's. Both were in the store picking up some CDs and gifts for loved ones at home.
"I also noticed that their music collection is better than most you see. At your generic music stores, you don't see bands like Primus or Ween or stuff like that available.
It was right up there compared to like Down in the Valley (in Maple Grove, Minn.) and Discontent (in Moorhead, Minn.). They have the same style of stuff, it's just bigger because they expanded into clothing, jewelry and the card section and stuff like that," Johnson said.
Walking around the store, there is a lot other than merchandise for customers to look at. Rare concert posters and limited release records decorate the walls.
Hand made Rockin' Rudy's posters and promotions advertise as well. The women's bathroom is decorated with famous women from the music industry; the men's is decorated with famous men.
Many customers can be spotted walking around without buying anything just to soak in the beauty of the place.
Despite the unique qualities of the store Huffman said it still suffered through many problems throughout the years.
"Probably the biggest problem would be trying to compete with the big buck stores that have moved in. Luckily this store is unique enough that people still want to come here, but it's hard to compete with prices with places like Wal-Mart. We have a lot of local supporters that shop here and refuse to go to other places," Huffman said.
Rockin' Rudy's has loyal supporters from the community, mostly because Rockin' Rudy's supports the community it lives in.
Outside the store, flyers from local concerts decorate the parking columns; inside, multiple bulletin boards post upcoming events. Rudy's places a full-page ad on the back page of the Missoulian, their local paper, informing customers of the latest items and sales.
In addition, most of the jewelry, pottery and other unique items are hand-made by artists in the area. Some of the unique qualities can bring the prices higher then what one will find at Target or Wal-Mart, but most of the items are one of a kind.
For more information about Rockin' Rudy's or to place online orders, visit www.rockinrudys.com.