This is the second of several articles highlighting the local music scene in Imperial Beach.
Why a record store? Because it was the only way to convince my wife, Deana, to let me do a radio station. Deana always wanted to live at the beach. I have spent 30-plus years in the tax and accounting industry and was looking for something fun. Fun was something I used to have when calling Friday night football games on the radio and photographing the Phoenix Suns.
Deana noticed the location where Dale’s Swim Shop was available, next door to Katie’s Café. She suggested eating breakfast at what was then Sea180 to discuss business ideas.
After 30 minutes of swatting away my ideas (which would still work), I suggested a record store. Both of us grew up during the 80s, so it seemed like a perfect idea. Only if I could have an internet radio station in the back.
Oh, the memories came rushing out. Digging your feet into the hot sand while tossing a Frisbee or a football. The local radio station cranking out your favorite hits. Lying out on a beach towel, reminding yourself to visit the local record store before heading home. The way things were.
Now it’s all changed. Every generation says that. But the world changed when vinyl was pushed out for CDs, which were pushed out for MP3s. Then streaming replaced them all.
No longer can you read the liner notes of your favorite LPs. No longer can you enjoy staring deeply into the cover art of your newest album purchase. No more carrying your record player suitcase with a bag of records to your friend’s house to share and swap. Everything these days lives on your phone, and nobody shares their phone.
Vinyl records were more than music. Vinyl records nurtured relationships. The relationship to music. Relationships with your family and friends. The relationship with yourself. But more importantly, the relationship with your local record store. Oh, the memories.
Only good things happen in a record store. However, it must be set up right. It can’t be narrow aisles. It can’t be boxes stacked upon boxes. It can’t look dark and dingy.
A record store must be organized such that the customer’s memories can latch onto an emotional event. A record store must have enough room to build new relationships with other local patrons and with the staff. A record store must leave you with the feeling of wanting to come back.
IB Records Radio was designed for these purposes. Deana and I, as well as the staff, have spent hours trying to create a feeling of emotion.
And emotions tied to a song are what solidify memories.
Joe Tames is the owner of IB Records Radio, a vintage record store and sound production company located at Seacoast and Palm in Imperial Beach. Local music and interviews from the bands can be heard on ibradio.com.
VOL. 40, NO. 27 – July 2, 2026