Beverly — Mallory McClaire and Chantala Kommanivanh are turning a temporary solution into a lasting fixture for the neighborhood. Their record store, Beverly Phono Mart, will officially reopen Friday at 1802 W. 103rd St., the site they have been operating as a pop‑up since a car crash destroyed their original shop on Jan. 1.
From crash to comeback
The store first opened its doors in 2021 at 1808 W. 103rd St. When a driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with the building on New Year’s Day, police said the damage forced an immediate shutdown. Undeterred, McClaire and Kommanivanh launched a pop‑up just steps away at 1802 W. 103rd St. a month later, keeping the music alive while they pursued repairs on the original space.
Why stay on 103rd Street?
“We didn’t want to move off of 103rd Street. That’s why we were trying to stick it out for so long,” Kommanivanh explained. The couple’s commitment to the street reflects their deep ties to the community and the belief that local businesses are essential gathering places, much like coffee shops.
McClaire added, “We have seen how much it means for folks who have this as a place that they can walk to. Record stores become part of a ritual for people.” Their sentiment underscores the intergenerational appeal of vinyl and the role the shop plays in fostering neighborhood connections.
Community support fuels the decision
Customer loyalty proved decisive. Longtime patrons stopped by the pop‑up, and online special orders helped boost sales throughout the year. “I don’t know how we would have made it through the year without the pop‑up,” McClaire said, highlighting the importance of community backing during the recovery period.
Renovations and new features
Since closing the original location in October for renovations, the owners have been hard at work. They tore down a wall to expand the sales floor, added fresh paint, hung new artwork, and stocked additional inventory. A beloved sofa rescued from the original shop now sits near the windows, and the popular jukebox has been returned to the new space.
“The space is a new frame, but the spirit is the same,” Kommanivanh noted, emphasizing continuity despite the physical changes.
Owners’ backgrounds and vision
McClaire works as a public‑programming and operations consultant, while Kommanivanh is a visual artist and art professor at Northeastern Illinois University. Both grew up in the Beverly area and wanted to create a venue that reflected the musical passions they shared as teenagers.
“I grew up down here. A lot of it is creating a space that I wish existed even when I was a teenager,” McClaire said. “We love that the space has customers of all ages. It becomes a very intergenerational experience, and that, to me, is really special to see.”
Grand reopening celebration
The grand reopening celebration will run Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., inviting neighbors to explore the expanded floor, browse new vinyl selections, and enjoy the familiar hum of the jukebox. For more details on store hours and upcoming events, visitors can check the Beverly Phono Mart website.
By turning a crisis into an opportunity, McClaire and Kommanivanh demonstrate the resilience of small, family‑run businesses that anchor Chicago’s neighborhoods. Their story is a reminder that when local patrons rally behind a beloved shop, the result can be a stronger, more vibrant community hub.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
