Tag Archives: independent business

Still Spinning: 45 years of Princeton Record Exchange

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By Michelle F.

Covered in a sporadically placed assortment of stickers, the windows of the Princeton Record Exchange sit patiently, waiting to see the reflection of its regular customers, sometimes up to twice a day. Situated in a quiet corner of downtown Princeton, the magnetic pull of the store can  be undeniably felt from blocks down Nassau street. For regulars, these welcoming walls contain a sanctuary for first dates, marriage proposals, and even wedding ceremonies. Since 1980, the store’s 3,800 square feet of over 100,000 vinyl records and CDs have been home to the widest imaginable variety of customers, stretching from locals to tourists. “People enjoy being there as an event. It’s like going bowling or getting a drink, it’s going to the record store. You put your dirty clothes on, you say hello to your favorite people. It’s real,” explains owner Jon Lambert.

Following the 2020 COVID pandemic, businesses all over the world took a hard hit, with over 700,000 establishments shutting down in the second quarter, according to the Federal Reserve. After re-opening for the first time since the pandemic, Lambert was greeted by a line of 40 masked, socially-distanced people that stretched “almost all the way down” the street,” he said. 

“Thank you so much for being here. Thank god you made it” were the first words Lambert heard after swinging ajar his stickered doors. When asked how he felt about the sight, Lambert explained he felt “relief, and happiness that maybe we could make it.” Lambert expressed that though he was still struggling financially after the closure, he held onto hope of the business recovering. But overcoming these strenuous obstacles only grew stronger connections between the customers and their safehouse. “It was nightmarish, but to watch the transition, and feel an increase in loyalty and an increase in appreciation for what we can offer to people, that’s really important. It’s really important to people, and I love that. It’s great to be able to [provide that].”

The town of Princeton is home to around 30,000 residents, with the entire population admittedly not being record collectors. Lambert explains that the exchange relies on the bigger community to keep business booming. “People that come to our place, everywhere they go, they talk about this wonderful store. One of my customers said he wouldn’t move. He needs that [record] fix. There’s people who regularly come from New York, Washington, Boston, and of course the tourists when they come to town.” On Nassau Street, the record store acts as an anchor. A place that people can trust and rely on. “It’s fun to be a part of the community. At this point, we have three generations of people shopping at [the Princeton] organizations.” elaborates Lambert.

The loyalty that customers have for Princeton Record Exchange is not one-sided. Lambert asserts he has a strong passion for customer service, reciprocating the same level of commitment by deliberately listening and responding to customer needs, a characteristic unique to the freedom that comes with owning an independent business. “I totally remodeled the store to make it more comfortable,” Lambert said. He emphasized that spending $30,000 to replace the air conditioning unit in the store wasn’t an easy decision, but it was worth it for the sake of his customers’ comfort. “When you’re independent, you can try things. You’re like, hey, let’s rearrange this section, let’s try incorporating soul and thumb. You can try things and see if they work or not, and then you can pivot. It’s fun not to be constrained.” As for the tight knit team, Lambert follows a thorough interview process, handpicking 17 employees, ensuring that the intentions of the people working for the store align with the passionate motives of Princeton Record Exchange. “You know what I care about? I care about people who can be warm and welcoming, who can look people in the eye, who want to make it an enjoyable experience for people in the store.”

The undeniable charm of Princeton Record Exchange fosters a sturdy sense of loyalty and commitment from both customers and merchants. On the quiet corner of Nassau, its stickered doors are always open. However, when visiting the establishment, it is important to follow Lambert’s strictly enforced policy. “In the store, no [playing] death metal,” he said. “We’re not here to piss people off.”

People over Profit at the Princeton Record Exchange

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By Sosena T.

Refreshing, gentle, welcoming. After leaving the uncomfortable heat of Princeton, New Jersey, and stepping into the conditioned air of the Princeton Record Exchange, you can’t help but feel all of these things. That also extends to how Jon Lambert approaches every aspect of his craft, running the famous record store — from the way he buys records to the weddings that take place in the store to the healthcare he covers for his employees. 

After sitting down with Lambert, he expressed a sense of responsibility to repair the previously broken AC unit, even though it would require $11,000. Money that could’ve been used, he wished, for buying new records — a way to increase profits. But he couldn’t let his customers or his community lose their haven from the scorching temperatures. Lambert serves the Princeton area through the passionate work he does at his store. He’ll pay any price if that means people of all backgrounds feel comfortable in the Princeton Record Exchange.

Throughout the sit-down interview, the local music enthusiast opened up gradually about his passions. When asked about his workers and work environment, he lit up with excitement, a glimpse into his motivation for continuing the work he does. 

In some ways, small businesses bear the same financial expectations as large corporations but operate on smaller capital. On top of rent, cash-flow management, and taxes, Lambert provides health insurance to all 17 of his workers, in addition to the fair wages he pays them. To him, these people aren’t just minds and hands that make his business succeed — they’re family. “Hey, you pay them fair, you treat them fair, and maybe you make a little less money, and you spread that around so that people can be human,” he says.  

Human. It’s something we all are, but sometimes the idea gets muddled in the business world. However, Lambert makes the value of human life central to his work. This isn’t a strategy to attract customers but a genuine reflection of his character. Lambert shared a personal memory from 2020, the hardest year for small businesses. The pandemic didn’t single out who it affected: Young or old, poor or rich, it impacted everyone. COVID-19 affected both large and small companies, but to different degrees. After informing us that the Princeton Record Exchange was forced to shut down, he took a deep breath before continuing. The lack of cash flow forced Lambert to lay off his entire staff. Without their workplace and amid a global crisis, especially for Lambert—whose core principles include “courtesy and respect and kindness” — this was profoundly difficult. Despite these hardships, he stayed true to his values by continuing to pay for his employees’ health care for as long as he could after they were laid off. For nearly everyone, one major concern during the pandemic was access to healthcare. While Lambert couldn’t keep the store open, he made sure no one who helped make his business special was left alone in a nightmare.

Several days after my interview with Lambert, a press conference was held with Mayor Mark Freda of Princeton City. Sitting in the makeshift briefing room, I kept in mind the noble character of the owner of 20 S Tulane St, Princeton, NJ, and decided to ask about policies that support local small businesses, such as the city’s “music fairy-godfather.” Mayor Freda responded with enthusiasm, proud to highlight major contributors to Princeton’s community and economy. He mentioned the special improvement districts (SIDs) and how they benefit the city, noting that businesses make up 20 percent of the tax base, which helps reduce the tax burden on homeowners, a critical issue in the state. This shows how diverse and supportive local businesses can be for their community.

Overall, it’s safe to say that owning an independent business has clear challenges, like the absence of corporate funding, but are those trade-offs worth it? For Lambert, the answer will always be yes.