by Amanda Pompilii

Photo credits: Amanda Pompilii, Jason Villanueva, Eva Bronzini, tortoon

I visited Danforth Avenue for the first time on a mid-November day that could only be described as grey. Grey skies, grey fog, grey cars speeding by in a blur. Imagine my pleasant surprise, then, as I approached the Press Vinyl Cafe, which had a front window awash in the warm glow of string lights. When I entered the shop, I, too, felt a newfound warmth. Vibrant, hand-painted wall murals replaced the cloudy skies outside, and the constant thrum of traffic gave way to the twang of guitars from the loudspeakers.

Every inch of the cafe encapsulates the passion that the owner, Trevor, has for the Danforth community. Throughout the store, there are rows of alphabetically sorted LPs dated from the ‘50s to the present day. Each record has a price label that shares song lyrics, fascinating facts, and personalized commentary. For instance, the label on Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American reassures, “Everything will be alright.” Meanwhile, the label on Blue Moon Rising by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds boasts of a “Gold vinyl” that “matches Noel’s opinion of himself.” Above the records are murals, carefully painted by local artists, whose designs are so intricate that you’ll find a new detail every time you look at them. Against one wall are Bob Marley, The Beatles, and David Bowie observing the store from a cartoon col- lage of iconic album covers. Against another, a coffee pot spills over into three grinning mugs, each enjoying their own music. Tying the whole experience together is the scent of freshly brewed coffee and tea in the air. Flipping through records to the sounds of gentle rock and the earthy waft of Earl Grey, it’s not difficult to read the Jimmy Eat World label—“Everything will be alright”—and truly believe that it will be.

Despite the proliferation of music streaming services these days, like Spotify and Apple Music, Canadian music lovers seem to still hold a special place in their hearts for record hunting. It’s this passion that keeps Canada’s Record Store Day going strong. As of April 12, 2025, the annual celebration of independent record shops will be entering its 18th year. Undoubtedly, shoppers will prepare for the extensive search ahead of them. It’s a process that requires patience—sifting through crates for that one album, carefully slipping it from its sleeve, and hearing the record player slowly crackle to life. Yet this painstaking tradition holds with it a certain charm. It encourages listeners to slow down and take in the emotions evoked by the music.

The same can be said about the effect that the Press Vinyl Cafe has on its patrons. With its homey and laid-back atmosphere, I could easily forget about the everyday worries of schedules and meetings, and the flurry of city life just outside the door.

The local record and coffee shop opened at 2442 Danforth Ave. In the fall of 2015. While originally called Press Books, Coffee and Vinyl, the store was rebranded to the Press Vinyl Cafe in 2020. The cafe offers thousands of vinyl records and cassettes spread across two floors, along with classic coffees and teas. Customers can choose from a menu of cappuccinos, americanos, cortados, and tea lattes. The variety provides shoppers with ample opportunities to discover new favourites, or rediscover old ones. Music lovers looking to share their collection with the Danforth community are also in luck. The cafe is looking to buy a range of records, from ‘70s mainstream to ‘80s new wave to ‘90s albums of all genres. If you’re unable to visit the cafe in person, you can also have records shipped directly to your home through Press Vinyl Cafe’s online store.

When I first arrived at Press Vinyl Cafe, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I was looking for. My mind was still on the noon rush I’d encountered boarding the GO Train, and the return trip that would be followed by even more work, even more meetings. The longer I spent at the cafe, though, the less I worried about my list of responsibilities. Instead, I sifted through drawers of 45s in the basement, wondering what gems I’d find next. Back upstairs, I ordered a London Fog and shared a laugh with the two friendly employees and a customer who regularly makes time to visit the cafe. “Americano again?” joked one of the employees. The customer happily agreed.As I left the cafe with the tea and Bill Withers’ Harlem/Ain’t No Sunshine, I wasn’t thinking about the greyness at all. Instead, I thought about settling in on the couch with a steaming cup of tea, and the record player slowly crackling to life, Bill’s soothingly raspy voice giving way to a crescendo of violins. After all, sometimes it’s better to take life slow. As the Press Vinyl Cafe’s logo states perfectly: “Have a coffee. Put a record on.”