From a display stand in the corner of a coffee shop to a brick and mortar store, record store 10,000 Hz has built community in the Auburn-Opelika area through music.
When Russell Baggett and his wife, Hannah, left North Carolina for Auburn in 2015, there were only two record stores in the area. When both went out of business in early 2017, Baggett saw an opportunity to bring new vinyl to the community.
Initially, Baggett set up pop-up events in local coffee shops to sell records. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. When a few crates of records grew to three carloads of inventory, Baggett knew his goal of opening a physical record store was imminent. In July of 2018, 10,000 Hz opened its doors.
“When we first opened, we used to book bands to play in this little lounge area,” Baggett said. “We grew so much in 2020, ‘21, ‘22, in terms of our inventory because we started selling online a lot more, that we just didn’t have room to put on shows and bands anymore.”
Although no longer able to host live bands, 10,000 Hz has still found events to bring the community together. At listening events, guests gather around the store and listen to new albums, or sometimes albums in advance of the release. To host a listening party, the record store staff have to apply on the record label’s website. Because 10,000 Hz is one of the only record stores in the area, the record labels tend to accept them. This way, the new music is reaching people in every corner of the country.
“A lot of people show up to hear the new Sabrina Carpenter album, or whatever it is, and get a free poster. It’s not always people who are regular customers; it’s a lot of people who didn’t know we were here in the first place,” said Baggett.
Regardless of what album customers are looking for, 10,000 Hz offers a wide variety of materials. Aside from vinyls, the store also sells audio accessories, posters and shirts.
“I love the vibe of this record store and love being able to look through all of the posters,” said Alayna Speed, customer and sophomore in nursing.
At events, customers are able to browse the store and shop while listening to new music. In October, 10,000 Hz hosted two events. Daniel Caesar’s newest album, "Son of Spergy," was available early to customers on Oct. 20.
“The Daniel Caesar listening party was full of all kinds of people from different backgrounds," Baggett said. "It was a very diverse group of people gathered in the shop for one thing and that was really cool to see.”
On Oct. 31, guests were invited to listen to the new Florence and the Machine album, "Everybody Scream." Provided with materials from the record label, customers were given free posters and tote bags. Customers that wore costumes were also eligible to win the costume contest and a themed fan provided by the record label. While at the event, customers could pick up a copy of the album in either vinyl or CD form.
“I just want to listen to a new album with a lot of cool people,” said guest Sydney White.
These events serve to build community through music. In the Auburn-Opelika area, where record stores are scarce, 10,000 Hz has filled this hole by uniting listeners of all backgrounds.
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Layla Hyatt, sophomore double majoring in journalism and public and professional writing, is from Mobile, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
