Yard Sale Records is hitting a high note, doubling in size less than two years after opening to accommodate the surging demand for vinyl and vintage media.
Howard Lovell opened Yard Sale Records in March 2024 at 880 S Business IH 35 Suite 600, and focuses on selling vinyl records, CDs, VHS tapes and other vintage items like toys and clothing. Lovell said that the shop has built a loyal following, prompting an expansion that started in October 2025 and is still ongoing.
”When I started, I was worried that the only selling genres would be Texas Country and Americana,” Lovell said. “I was really shocked at how diverse the music taste is here. I’m able to sell a little bit of everything.”
Lovell moved to New Braunfels from Houston in 2020 and spent several years traveling to markets selling vinyl records before opening his storefront. Lovell said he’s really come to love the New Braunfels community and enjoys establishing connections with his customers.
Yard Sale Records’ success since opening has created an opportunity for future plans. Lovell said he hopes to open a second Yard Sale Records location in San Marcos by 2027, knowing that music stores are timelessly popular with college students.
Regular customers like Asa Neal said the store’s growth reflects the larger trend of renewed interest in physical media, especially with younger audiences. Neal has been collecting records for nearly a decade and said that physical formats offer a way to directly support artists in an era dominated by streaming.
”“Artists used to make most of their money from records and CD sales,” Neal said. “Now with platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, they don’t get paid nearly as much.”
Neal said buying vinyl is one way fans can help sustain musicians while also creating something personal. To her, buying albums is like documenting someone’s life, and each record represents a moment or phase.
The personal connection is also drawing in younger listeners like Taylor Clark, a San Marcos resident. Clark recently visited a vinyl market at the Phoenix Saloon on March 28, where Yard Sale Records set up a booth alongside other vendors.
Clarke said she enjoys exploring record shops and was excited to see a strong turnout at the event. Her interest in record shops has grown even more following the closure of Alchemy Records in San Marcos last year.
“It was heartbreaking when [Alchemy Records] closed,” Clarke said. “There’s something so special about having a place like that, it’s not just a place to find music, but also friends.” Clarke believes physical media is making a comeback, especially with Gen Z consumers who are looking for alternatives to constant digital consumption.
Owner Howard Lovell chats with a regular customer on April 1 about the band Geese at Yard Sale Records. Photo courtesy of Charlsie Daniels
Howard Lovell has a corner of Yard Sale Records specifically dedicated to horror fans with VHS tapes of horror movies constantly being added to the collection. Photo courtesy of Charlsie Daniels
”We’re surrounded by screens all the time, so putting on a vinyl or even a CD just feels different. It feels more real and intentional,” Clarke said.
Other customers are drawn by the tangible connection to the music itself. Hayden Dane visited Yard Sale Records for the first time in search of “Bully,” a newly released album by Kanye West.
Dane said he had already streamed the album multiple times on his phone but wanted to own a physical copy.
”I’ve listened to it three times on Spotify already, but having it on vinyl is different,” Dane said. “You can actually hold it, look at the artwork and really appreciate it.”
As Yard Sale Records continues to grow, Lovell said he hopes the store remains more than just a place to shop. Yard Sale Records is positioning itself as part of a broader cultural shift with physical media finding life with a new generation of listeners according to Lovell.
