Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Meyerring and Stephanie Covart-Meyerring.
Hi Aaron and Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Electric Fetus is a family-owned music and gift store located in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 1968. Keith Covart, along with a few friends founded the store. A few years after opening Keith became the sole owner. Keith’s daughter Stephanie Covart Meyerring along with her husband Aaron Meyerring have taken over operations.
The Electric Fetus began in June of 1968 on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota with an initial inventory of pre-recorded music that by today’s standards would be considered less than a small personal collection. There were not many alternative places to shop back then, large commercial entities were running the music scene and there wasn’t a niche for more independent music. The Fetus brought in what customers wanted and along with music, that included local artisan gift items. The Fetus brought in what customers wanted to buy. And by doing this, learned a lot from them. Customers really helped build the store to what it is today and continue to do so.
In 1970, The Fetus moved across the street to their second location. And then in 1972 The Fetus moved to its current location at 2000 4th Avenue South Mpls Mn 55404. In 1995 the store remodeled and took over the entire building in the footprint it is in today.
Throughout the Electric Fetus’ 56 plus years there have been many changes and countless stories. The Fetus is proud and fortunate to say that a number of employees have been at the store for 20, 30, and 40 plus years.
Some fun facts about The Electric Fetus
• People always comment when they walk in the doors about the wonderful smell of the store, charming creaky wood floors, the abundance of plants in the windows, and the amount of product (music and gifts) that the Fetus carries.
• 2010 – Ringo Starr wore Electric Fetus T-shirt on the red carpet and to the Grammy Awards.
• Prince’s final tweet before his passing was about The Electric Fetus.
• There have been a number of celebrity sightings/customers over the years. We try to respect their privacy and allow them to experience the store without fanfare.
• The Electric Fetus has hosted hundreds and hundreds of in-store performances and events over the years. Some include:
Patti Smith, Larry Graham, They Might Be Giants, John Hiatt, Chris Cornell, Elvis Costello, John Entwistle from The Who, Sting, Shaggy, Atmosphere, Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeros, Billy Bob Thornton’s band The Boxmasters, Soul Asylum, Dan Wilson, Chasity Brown, Neko Case, Lights, Polica, Liv Warfiled, Shelby J, Caitlyn Smith, Yungblud, Frank Turner, Teddy Swims, Gracie Abrams, Hozier, and countless more talent.
• Record Store Day, which started in 2017/18, and is now celebrated at independently owned brick-and mortar record stores around the world, is The Electric Fetus’ biggest day of the year. It is a day to celebrate record stores, offer exclusive products, and the Fetus has a lot of offerings throughout the day with live music and food trucks. People generally start lining up the day before to get the first look at the exclusives. RSD is always on a Saturday in the month of April. RSD 2025 will be on April 12th.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always going to be challenges in business, especially being around for 56 plus years, but you just must take things one day at a time and be willing and open to change.
The format in which people purchase music has always evolved. For several years now the store is seeing a resurgence of vinyl and used products (CDs, LPs, DVDs)
Some of the biggest challenges over the years for the Fetus have been circumstances beyond control. The Fetus was hit by a tornado in 2007, experienced a water main break/flooding, and a massive bridge and highway project literally outside of the doors to name a few.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Electric Fetus has been a gathering place for music heads and counter-culturists in Minnesota since 1968 — stocking a comprehensive selection of new and used CDs, DVDs and LPs, plus unique gifts and clothes. This retail blend creates an eclectic shopping pursuit that leads to out-of-the-ordinary finds and adventures among the aisles. Embedded in it all is a place that gives people a place to discover something different, and for 56 years, this experience has shaped the family-owned Fetus as a destination that welcomes patrons from around the world. The store experience is defined by an energy that draws people of all kinds. It is where the community connects and friends meet, coming together within the spirit of music.
The Electric Fetus’ goal is to provide the finest quality products and services to our customers. We want to bring our community together and provide a pleasant shopping experience.
We believe we differentiate from our competitors with our customer service and the experience we provide. We really value input from our customers. Our vast product selection also sets us apart. And the ability to provide the product to our customers even if it is not at our store. Customer service is extremely important and has been since day one. We offer buyers a friendly staff with broad expertise.
At the Fetus we want people to have an “experience” and regularly host in-store performances, listening parties, and events.
Although we are known for our vast array of music, we are also more than music. You can buy anything from clothing, hats, purses and accessories, jewelry, baby items, candles, bath and body products, and housewares. We cater to all ages and pride ourselves in being a place where the whole family can come and enjoy themselves. We sell things that are fun!
The Fetus carries both new and quality used music. Along with gift items. We buy directly from all the major labels and numerous independent/small labels. We also buy used music product, which we purchase from our customers and people who are ready to sell their collections. We buy our gift items from large vendors and small independent vendors.
Most proud/rewarding part is being able to bring our community together in a positive way and watching customers being excited about being at the store and what they are buying. Seeing generations of families come in together and also seeing someone who has never been at the store walk in for the first time. We love the support from our customers who live near and far
The Twin Cities is a thriving music community. We have many wonderful artists, music venues, along with record stores. We have numerous local artist titles. Green bin cards represent a local artist throughout the store. Having a thriving music scene and partnership with the music labels allows us to host many in-store performances and events that bring people together.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Record Store Day podcast and 89.3 The Current playlist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://electricfetus.com
- Instagram: @electricfetusmpls
- Facebook: @ElectricFetusMPLS
- Twitter: @efetusmpls
- Youtube: @electricfetusmn
- Other: The Electric Fetus 2000 4th Avenue South, Mpls MN 55404 612 870 9300
Discogs – https://www.discogs.com/seller/electricfetus/profile
Ebay – https://www.ebay.com/str/musicattheelectricfetus
YouTube – @electricfetusmn
Bluesky Social – @electricfetusmpls.bsky.social
