Jon Teichman, an Assistant Director of Admissions at Northern Michigan University, is also the proprietor of The Emporium Record Shoppe. The store is marking five years of local business in Marquette with an anniversary celebration, featuring local musicians and DJs.
Having moved from its original location on Washington Street to its current site at 816 North Third Street, the shop operates as a nostalgic community hub centered around physical media and personal connection. Teichman says that the store attracts a broad audience, ranging from multi-generational local families and summer tourists to university students in the NMU Vinyl Record Club (of which he is an advisor).
To commemorate the half-decade milestone, Teichman organized a four-day music celebration beginning Thursday, August 20, in tandem with the local Music On Third event. The festivities kick off with an acoustic solo set by alumnus Corey Phare at 6:00 PM, followed by a 7:00 PM electric set of 1990s hits from his band, Fair 'Nuff. The schedule continues Friday evening with an eclectic DJ set from Mr. DNA, a Saturday session with multi-instrumentalist Greg Sandell sharing vintage and global selections, and a Sunday afternoon performance from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM featuring R&B, soul, and hip-hop curated by DJ Ho Na Na Na.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Teichman about the Emporium's fifth anniversary:
The event also highlights local small-business collaboration along the Third Street corridor, emphasizing mutual support among neighboring independent establishments. This neighborhood synergy coincides with expanding customer interests, as local media demand encompasses vinyl, compact discs, cassettes, VHS tapes, graphic novels, and niche styles of music like “dungeon synth." Supported by store manager Geoff Wiitala and long-time Detroit collaborator Geoff Walker, who transported thousands of newly sourced items to restock the shelves for the event, the anniversary underlines the vitality of Marquette's pedestrian-friendly retail culture.
Find out more at The Emporium's website.
