Since 1993, the shop has been a gathering space for music lovers, DJs, national recording artists, and neighbors who come in to flip through records, talk music, and connect.

Owner Tim Wilson talked with us about his history with the space, the deep roots of music culture in the Twin Cities, and what it has meant to keep a record store going in Midway for more than 30 years. He spoke about the challenges the neighborhood has faced over time, but also the many gems that make Midway special — the small businesses, artists, and community spaces that give the neighborhood its character.

He also shared that the future of Midway will come from a mix of new development and longtime community coming together — supporting local businesses, creating spaces for people to gather, and continuing to build a neighborhood that people feel part of. In his words, that’s how we make the Midway mighty.

This business profile is part of a series from the Hamline Midway Coalition’s Snelling and University Commercial Corridor program, a comprehensive creative placemaking and corridor activation initiative along key commercial stretches of Snelling Avenue and University Avenue within the Hamline Midway neighborhood.

Learn more about HMC’s Snelling and University Commercial Corridor program here: hamlinemidway.org/projects/university-and-snelling-commercial-corridor

Learn more about what Urban Lights has to offer on their website: theurbanlightsmusic.com