Carytown Sound sells stereos, turntables and speakers for home audio systems. (Photos courtesy of Carytown Sound)
After selling his stake in the local bike shop chain he co-founded well over a decade ago, Tim Mullins is tapping into another of his passions for his next professional move.
The former Carytown Bicycle Co. owner last month opened Carytown Sound at 3101 Ellwood Ave., selling new and used stereos, turntables and speakers to outfit home audio systems.
“What I’ve tried to focus on is music reproduction in a home, in a real environment. Brands that satisfy the audiophile,” Mullins said. “But we also have gear for an old house that’s going to be forgiving and give great sound.”
Mullins said that his gusto for music drove the creation of Carytown Sound, much as his passion for bikes led him and others to open the first Carytown Bicycle location in 2007.
“It’s the same. I feel like I haven’t missed a beat,” he said.
Mullins sold his stake in Carytown Bicycle and exited the business in February as part of the local chain’s acquisition by California-based Specialized Bicycle Components last year. Mullins said he realized he wasn’t done with retail and turned to his music hobby as the basis of his new venture.
Tim Mullins
“It was really like, ‘What do I like to do each day? What gets me excited?” he said. “I love spinning vinyl and setting up turntables with the crackling and hissing.”
Carytown Sounds leases a 3,200-square-foot space that was formerly home to art seller Chasen Galleries. The store has six listening stations, three of which are iterations of the trio of sound systems Mullins had in his home, and are now available for purchase. In addition to a jazz-focused setup and a more middle-of-the-road system, a version of the setup he had in his garage and tailored to punk and rap is also present in the store.
“I have big horn speakers with massive subs. It’s like you’re in the pit, front and center at a show. It’s loud, impactful and you better have earplugs in,” he said.
Carytown Sound carries brands such as Bergmann Audio, Heretic, Lab12, Fleetwood Sound, Solid Steel and Totem, per the store’s website.
Mullins said most of the store’s consignment items are from his personal collection. The store does not sell vinyl records or CDs.
In other Carytown news, former Bon Secours executive Leigh Sewell plans to open an outpost of women’s clothing retailer Monkee’s next month at the Carytown Exchange shopping center. Anthony’s Pizza Carytown recently opened at 3129 W. Cary St.
Carytown Sound sells stereos, turntables and speakers for home audio systems. (Photos courtesy of Carytown Sound)
After selling his stake in the local bike shop chain he co-founded well over a decade ago, Tim Mullins is tapping into another of his passions for his next professional move.
The former Carytown Bicycle Co. owner last month opened Carytown Sound at 3101 Ellwood Ave., selling new and used stereos, turntables and speakers to outfit home audio systems.
“What I’ve tried to focus on is music reproduction in a home, in a real environment. Brands that satisfy the audiophile,” Mullins said. “But we also have gear for an old house that’s going to be forgiving and give great sound.”
Mullins said that his gusto for music drove the creation of Carytown Sound, much as his passion for bikes led him and others to open the first Carytown Bicycle location in 2007.
“It’s the same. I feel like I haven’t missed a beat,” he said.
Mullins sold his stake in Carytown Bicycle and exited the business in February as part of the local chain’s acquisition by California-based Specialized Bicycle Components last year. Mullins said he realized he wasn’t done with retail and turned to his music hobby as the basis of his new venture.
Tim Mullins
“It was really like, ‘What do I like to do each day? What gets me excited?” he said. “I love spinning vinyl and setting up turntables with the crackling and hissing.”
Carytown Sounds leases a 3,200-square-foot space that was formerly home to art seller Chasen Galleries. The store has six listening stations, three of which are iterations of the trio of sound systems Mullins had in his home, and are now available for purchase. In addition to a jazz-focused setup and a more middle-of-the-road system, a version of the setup he had in his garage and tailored to punk and rap is also present in the store.
“I have big horn speakers with massive subs. It’s like you’re in the pit, front and center at a show. It’s loud, impactful and you better have earplugs in,” he said.
Carytown Sound carries brands such as Bergmann Audio, Heretic, Lab12, Fleetwood Sound, Solid Steel and Totem, per the store’s website.
Mullins said most of the store’s consignment items are from his personal collection. The store does not sell vinyl records or CDs.
In other Carytown news, former Bon Secours executive Leigh Sewell plans to open an outpost of women’s clothing retailer Monkee’s next month at the Carytown Exchange shopping center. Anthony’s Pizza Carytown recently opened at 3129 W. Cary St.
What a great addition to the Richmond music and retail scenes. Good luck, Tim.