Record stores have made a massive comeback in recent years, with more and more folks electing to listen to their favorite singers and bands on the retro medium. Whether you listen to Bach or to rock ‘n roll, Armadillo Music — located on 207 F St. — has music for everyone in the form of vinyl, cassette tapes and CDs.

The establishment was founded in 1996, and since then, the store has sold vinyls, instruments, CDs, and even tickets to music events they have hosted or co-hosted for over a quarter of a century.

“It was a desire to have a place for folks in our community to come together and appreciate music together,” owner Josh Chapman, who is also the mayor of Davis, said to The Dirt, “in an environment and space where everyone feels comfortable.”

The store is covered in music memorabilia across a wide array of genres, including signed vinyls from popular musicians, cassettes stacked in wall-to-ceiling shelving, posters from rock bands of yesterday and today and more.

Inside the shop, there is also a wine and beer bar where customers can buy a brew to sip on as they shop, and the store uses its own space as a concert venue, showcasing local artists often.

Manager Paul Wilbur told The Dirt the store has survived for decades as it’s central hub for music people: a place to connect artists, listeners and collectors, alike.

“All those little features about our store make a community,” he says. “We’re kind of at the heart of the Davis music community.”

The California Aggie, UC Davis’ student-run newspaper, announced Armadillo Music had won the accolade of “Best Downtown Shop,” with the store receiving 44.7% of the vote.

“A record store makes people warm and fuzzy inside,” Wilbur said to the Aggie. “You get to connect to other people and connect with music.”

Music has a way of connecting people, Wilbur told the Aggie. He said his store provides a way for people in the community to connect with one another over a shared love or passion for music.

“It’s one of those businesses that’s a bit more intimate, and in an internet world, it’s hard to feel like you’re in an intimate setting,” Wilbur said. “They come in, and they know me, Josh, the owners and all [of] the other employees. The internet is this giant, massive, vast place and this gives them a small space to come hang out.”