West Town welcomes a new destination for music lovers as Onion City Records opens its doors at 1812 W. Chicago Ave. The store, the second location for the Bridgeport Records team, blends house music roots with an eclectic catalog that spans punk, jazz, experimental sounds and classic rock.
Local entrepreneurs expand their footprint
Deep‑house DJ and label owner Vick Lavender partnered with former labor leader Jerry Morrison and his son Jo to launch Bridgeport Records on Halsted Street in 2024. Building on that success, the trio has taken over the former Aeslin Pup Hub space to create a storefront that reflects their shared love of vinyl and community.
“House music, while it’s an integral part of it, we have everything,” Lavender said. “If you look on the wall, we have industrial, we have new wave, we have funk, we have R&B, we have hip‑hop, we have experimental. We have classic rock.” Jo Morrison added, “We move just as much jazz as we do house.”
What shoppers can expect
Customers will find both tracks and full‑length albums from local DJs and producers, as well as a broader selection of titles that include techno, mainstream dance acts like Daft Punk, and a rotating inventory of CDs and cassette tapes. The store also offers turntables for previewing records and “open decks” where anyone can spin a set on the in‑store sound system.
Beyond music, Onion City Records will showcase art from Chicago creators, carry books, collectibles and even feature a dedicated gaming area where patrons can play video games while they browse.
Community events and future plans
The venue plans regular in‑store performances, live DJ sets and after‑hours parties. A grand opening after‑party is scheduled for Saturday at nearby Wax Vinyl. Morrison noted that multiple locations are key to financial sustainability and spreading the store’s message: “The biggest way to be able to make money on these is having multiple locations, and we’re also trying to spread the message. We have a lot of DJs and customers in West Town and on the North Side.”
Looking ahead, the owners are already contemplating a third location, potentially in another Chicago neighborhood or even in New York or London. They emphasized respect for long‑standing record shops in the area, saying, “I have mad respect for anyone or anything that’s been in business for multiple years. The more record stores you have, the more people will go record shopping, and that only helps the other record stores as well.”
Store hours and contact
Onion City Records will be open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m., with extended hours for special events. The shop’s launch adds another cultural hub to West Town’s vibrant music scene, offering residents and visitors a place to discover new sounds, support local artists and enjoy a community‑focused gathering spot.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
