/Little Big Store in Raymond is a big step back in time

Little Big Store in Raymond is a big step back in time

This is the weekly ‘Sip of Culture story, a collaboration between Mississippi Today Magazine and The Sip Magazine. Visit The ‘Sip Magazine’s website for more stories similar to this. RAYMOND — MTV launched almost 35 years ago on the first of August with the words “Ladies, gentlemen, rock & roll” and a month later Betty Butler Strachan opened Little Big Store to provide easy access to the music that was sweeping the globe. Strachan stated that there was a renewed interest among rock and roll fans in music, clothing, and everything. “But we didn’t know what was happening here, we didn’t have access and we didn’t know what happened in other countries or countries with music until MTV. It was very different.” Strachan wanted to start her own business, and she first tried her hand at a craft store. She said that the crafts failed to sell so she started reselling records and bought more. “That just took off like mad.” The Little Big Store, located in Raymond’s historic train depot built in 1889 and still in use until the 1970s, is three and a half years later. All kinds of music paraphernalia are found in the interior, almost to the ceiling. You can find everything from vinyl records, tapes, CDs, and jewelry to posters, T-shirts and jewelry, as well as gifts like jewelry, earrings, and jewelry. She said that it takes up all of the depot’s space, so it is a lot of stuff. The Little Big Store is reminiscent a an older record shop with a vintage Coca-Cola machine at its front door and the scent of burning incense wafting through the building. The building is filled with rows upon rows of 8-tracks and 8 tracks. Stickers and posters are everywhere on the walls. Books and cassette tapes are just a few of the many other items found in the building. “It’s unusual. Strachan stated that it harkens back at the old-time music shops before everything went digital. It’s just like an old record store from the 1970s, with posters all over the walls — just as it used to be. And even though Little Big Store was founded on the heels of rock and roll, it now has a diverse collection. Strachan stated, “I started in rock & roll, then I branched into everything else.” We have everything, literally. From gospel to heavy metal, and everything in-between. We have lots of everything. Not just a few.” The customer base is just as diverse as the product selection. Strachan stated that “our customers are young, even small children, older people and locals, as well as tourists.” It’s almost everyone. He just had an aura around him so I said “You’re somebody,” and he replied, “Well, I don’t know about that but I used to play guitar with Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.” Over the years Strachan has seen many interesting customers come and go. My vinyl is making a big comeback. She said that she sells very few CDs. “It’s an enormous retro thing that has occurred, and everybody wants vinyl.” However, Strachan couldn’t have predicted the resurgence in vinyl’s popularity and love. She said, “The whole record thing surprised me — the fact people are returning to vinyl every day.” “I thought and thought about it, and I believe that digital music can deliver the same sound. It’s almost like you can see the sky and hear the music. Strachan is open seven days a semaine because of the growing passion for vinyl. She said, “We did that at beginning of year.” “Business is good, we want to make sure everyone has access.” The Little Big Store is a different place than digital download shops. It is important to have a record in your hand when you are at an old train depot. The physical appearance of the album can make it stand out just as well as its sound.