RiverView Vinyl: The Record Store Keeping Vinyl Afloat in Lynchburg

By Jacob Clavijo | Editor-in-Chief

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Steven Ramsey, co-owner of RiverView Vinyl, spends most of his time sifting through old vinyl records, inspecting each one carefully to determine its value before it gets placed on the shelf. Ramsey, a native of Amherst, has always had a deep appreciation for music, which dates back to his youth when he would listen to his sister’s records. 

Now, as RiverView Vinyl has moved to a new location on Fifth Street, Ramsey is focused on expanding the business and sharing his love for analog media with the surrounding community.

“I think that a physical music library is very important for a community to have,” said Ramsey. “Physically finding something is a totally different experience.”

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 43.6 million records were sold in 2024, a substantial increase from two decades ago, where only 1.4 million records were sold in 2004.

For Ramsey, who was previously involved in the industry first-hand when he started his own record label in Colorado, the return of vinyl has kept his business alive and brought in new clientele that was previously uninterested in physical media. Ramsey believes that digging through vinyl records can expose customers to their new favorite artist or genre.

“That’s also what this is about, the exploration of new music to your ears,” Ramsey said.

Inside the shop, customers can sift through hundreds of records across various genres, from soul to metal, as well as other physical media such as CDs and cassette tapes. If customers are intrigued by a record, they can listen to it in-store at the listening stations provided. RiverView Vinyl also has an assortment of record players, receivers, and speakers available for purchase. 

But apart from sharing his love for analog media, Ramsey is keen on morphing RiverView Vinyl into a community space where all are welcomed. 

In the months to come, Ramsey hopes to open a daytime cyber cafe within the space, where coffee, smoothies, and pastries will be served. After the store closes for the day, Ramsey plans on using the space as a speakeasy, where patrons can enjoy mixed drinks and live music.

“This has all been built out of blood, sweat, tears, and dedication; the desire to want to do that and provide the community with that,” said Ramsey about his future plans. 

To see more from RiverView Vinyl, check out their Instagram page @riverviewvinyl.