By Klyde Java

The idea of playing music on a vinyl record seems to be a concept of the past.

Discovering an old record in your basement feels like you have unearthed an ancient artifact. But if you look at worldwide statistics, record sales are booming. In 2023 alone, more than 40 million vinyl records were sold, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This vinyl revival can be seen in San Francisco as well, a city boasting almost 20 record stores scattered throughout the area.

Tunnel Records is one of these success stories. A small vinyl boutique on Taraval Street near 46th Avenue, it is the archetypal neighborhood record store. Owner 46-year-old Ben Wintroub opened the Taraval location more than seven years ago. It is named for the tunnels that once led to the beach under the Great Highway. He opened another store last year on Clement Street in the annex next to the 4 Star Theater. Wintroub has lived in the Sunset District for a decade and says he enjoys the casual yet loyal character of the neighborhood.

“I find people who live here tend to put down roots,” he said. “It’s much less transient than other parts of the City, and people really take pride in the neighborhood.”

Wintroub has been around music his entire life, being an avid vinyl collector and working in various record stores as a teenager. He is also the great nephew of jazz legend Orrin Keepnews, whom he cites as being his “west-coast grandfather.” This relationship granted him opportunities to meet world-class musicians and deepen his appreciation for music.

In the last decade, vinyl sales have dramatically increased, creating a stable industry that allows independent record stores like Tunnel to thrive. But what is appealing about an antique method of listening to music?

One can point to the tangibility of vinyl. The act of listening to an album on Spotify is an inherently different experience than listening to that same album on vinyl. Being able to view music as a physical object is a rebellious response to streaming and a way for listeners to establish a deeper connection to the art form.

Wintroub also cites the tactility of vinyl as a reason for the resurgence.

“You can touch it (the record), you can feel it,” Wintroub said. “The artwork is big and beautiful. You put a record on, and you have to physically lift the needle and put it over, so you have more control over it. It’s more alive,”

Along with the physicality of vinyl, there is also a sense of community when one ventures into a record store. Walking into Tunnel Records feels like you are visiting a friend’s house. As a business owner, Wintroub feels the impact a record store has on the neighborhood.

“One of the great aspects of retail and going into a store is that it’s communal,” Wintroub said. “I think for a few years, we lost that for a little bit, but people seem to be gravitating back toward the tangibility of goods and the community of meeting people in their space.”

In a world where everything is increasingly digitized and many people seem to be isolated from each other, the thought of returning to physical media is an attractive one. In the case of vinyl, it has the ability to start conversations and create friendships.

The bonds shared over records and other physical media is integral to its long-lasting appeal.

“Records have been around longer than anything else. It’s going to hold steady and be a part of the listening experience,” Wintroub said.

Tunnel Records has two locations: 3614A Taraval St. and 2200 Clement St. Learn more at TunnelRecordsSF.com.