Salutations™!!
Remember when you used to do the #FF on Twitter just a few years back? It stood for Follow Friday or Friend Friday (according to who you asked) and as far as I can tell, no one really does that any longer and whilst I’ll admit I was slack on that on Twitter, I will also say that Twitter isn’t my main social media platform and I just didn’t do it. But, I think it was a good idea and I’d like to pick that back up, except do it here on this blog.
I have a slew of friends that are interesting folks. They may have businesses, they may be musicians, they may just be eclectic as heck, whatever! I just think they need to be highlighted more because they bring awesomeness to the world and we’re lucky to have them here in WSNC.
So, what I think I’m going to do is on Friday, when I can get to it, I’ll admit upfront, there will be some missed, I’m going to highlight two local businesses or movers and shakers. Many of these may actually be sponsors of mine, be it what I do or one of the podcasts’ and don’t worry, I won’t try to benefit from their name. In following the best practices in social media and blogging, I will always clarify if a business is a sponsor or partner. You can bet at least for the first few weeks, that will be the case, but in addition to sponsors, I will also offer an “unsolicited endorsement” just because I find the place to be fantastic. Not everything I mention will be a “local business” but everything will have something very relevant to “local” outside of literally being close to us.
So, the first ones I’m going to do are kind of related.
Located in the West End of Downtown WSNC, there lies a gem that I go on about every week, several times a week, usually. One of my absolute favorite small businesses and where I spend a good amount of time is Underdog Records.
To me, Underdog Records isn’t just a record store, a music store, a place to buy back-from-extinction relics called records. Underdog Records is a way of life. Jonathan Hodges is a dear friend and he is the sole man with the record plan and I call him my “Candy Man” because records are basically the closest thing to a drug that I would do. It’s my addiction, my vice, my way of feeling good. So, yeah it’s my drug.
New records, old records, equipment, stereo receivers, turntables, EQs, cassette decks, even 8-track changers (each of those are subject to availability), accessories and much more are available at Underdog Records. You can visit 835 Burke Street Tuesday through Saturday 11a-7p. You can order new records anytime, day or night, by visiting their website. Underdog Records is the “Official Music Sponsor” of The Less Desirables and whilst Jonathan does “pay” me for sponsorship, this is definitely a place I went before and would still go if Underdog wasn’t a sponsor. Watch them on social media and check out what freshly acquired used and new records are being put out! I always post the “haul” of what we get on the weekends on Sundays on this blog.
My “Unsolicited Endorsement” is Hair Bomb Salon. I have gotten my hair cut there on and off for a few years and have a few friends that have done some follicle facilitating over that time. One of my friends from TBD Referral Group, Cynthia Pratt-Miller is a stylist there and she gave me my cut the last time it was cut. Friendly folks and was started by Susie Disher-Bennett back in 2005. They are located at 837 Burke Street and for you hawkeyed readers, you will notice that that is right beside Underdog Records.
Which brings me to a point… The two are teaming up to bring you “Vinyl Fridays.”
Vinyl Fridays is a cool way for these local businesses to work together and bring value to your run-of-the-mill Friday. So, if you book a hair appointment at Hair Bomb Salon on Friday (you don’t have to even get it cut on that day, just book it!), then you’ll get 10% off any piece of vinyl goodness at Underdog Records. Also, if you make a vinyl purchase at Underdog Records, you’ll get 10% off any booked appointment that you (again) book at Hair Bomb Salon.
I hope you’ll visit my friends soon, not just Fridays, and help local businesses and local business owners and hey, you can look good and have quality music to listen to. Thanks for reading about my friends.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
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“Let our friendly team of expert stylists help you shine!” – Hair Bomb Salon