'Spanky's' keeps records spinning downtown

Spanky’s and Gus is, in some ways, a trip back in time.

The store, tucked away on Spokane Avenue next to Jersey Boys Pizzeria and the various other shops along the block, is nostalgia from the start. Upon entering, one sees a collection of old books on music and art, then the boxes upon boxes of vinyl records that line the store’s walls. The sounds of classic rock fill the room.

For some, this can cause quite a reaction, Sandra “Spanky” Guzman says. Customers have even cried.

“I’m pushing an emotional button, and people are automatically back in their childhood. They’re back in that certain time in their life,” she says. “It’s blowing me away, because I never experienced that and it’s catching me by surprise. I’m giving hugs out.”

Spanky’s and Gus opened in mid-July at its Spokane Avenue location. Previously the store was tucked away in the alley behind its current spot, and before that it operated for a time in Kalispell. The same store name also once sold western wear and cowboy tack, Guzman says.

In fact, the switch to selling records came as an accident.

“My brother had sent me a box of records, and I said, ‘It doesn’t go with what I’m doing but I’ll put them out for sale and get ride of them.’ And they sold really fast, so I said to him, ‘Can you get me more?’” she says.

The store carries all genres of music, with more coming in every week. There’s classical, dance, rock, rap, electronic, soundtracks and anything else Guzman can find.

Collecting and curating the store’s records has also turned her on to new music she likely would’ve never heard before, Guzman says.

“I love music, and this really just fits me best. I like researching the records. It keeps me busy, finding new music and musicians and stuff I never knew,” she says.

Personally, Guzman is all about rock n’ roll. She points to a number of her favorite bands — most of which she’s seen live since finding a passion for concerts at 13 years old — namely Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and others.

One band in particular stands out, she says.

“My heart is Led Zepplin. Since I was a little girl, since I heard Led Zepplin at a party at a friend’s house and said, ‘Who is that? What is that?’ I’d never heard that kind of music before. I was done,” she says.

While she doesn’t play an instrument herself, Guzman is also catering her store to musicians. In addition to LPs and clothing, she also stocks a variety of useful items for local and traveling bands, including things like drumsticks, cables, guitar strings and more. The back of the shop will even become a small, dedicated practice area for local musicians, she says.

Guzman is also aware that a record store in 2019 can be seen as a peculiarity.

In a day where billions of people around the world carry smartphones and connect through a variety of futuristic apps and technologies, listening to music etched into a large vinyl disc is pretty old-tech.

It’s not for everyone, Guzman says.

“It’s like someone going to an antique store. If you’re not into antiques, you’re not going to go in. This is creating a place [for] people who are collectors, audiophiles, just people interested in hearing some good music on a turntable,” she says. “It’s not a huge money maker, but it’s sustaining my home and taking care of my family, and that’s what’s most important to me right now.”

Spanky’s and Gus is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 730-8808.