Today we’d like to introduce you to Dury Nelson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Todd Hanson opened a used bookstore located in Hayward, WI in 2017. He had a few crates of used records at the front counter that quickly accumulated as he bought collections and selected records from his own listening library to sell.
In 2019, he opened another location in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. These two stores weathered the early years of the pandemic and were known for their eclectic mix of music on vinyl, CDs, and cassettes along with movies, comics, and magazines. I met Todd in 2022 and worked at the Rice Lake store until we began to outgrow the retail spot in the mall. When we discussed moving the Rice Lake store to a larger town, Duluth came up. Todd grew up in the Twin Ports, and I had been wanting to move to Duluth for years. It wasn’t hard to make the call.
Todd closed his Hayward store for the season, I packed the Rice Lake inventory, and we moved everything to our location in the Lincoln Park Craft District. We opened the last weekend of October 2023 and were instantly greeted by an enthusiastic community. Over the past two years, we’ve grown into our new hub: expanding inventory, connecting with local musicians, hosting shows, and becoming a social hub for music and media lovers!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Luckily, it’s been pretty smooth sailing for us! Our largest (and most fun) ongoing challenge is keeping an interesting variety with limited space. Stocking is a balancing act between the classics versus the current, the household hits or the deep cuts. We try to keep a bit of everything available.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I, personally, have always loved the arts, especially illustration and music! Managing River City allows ample creative freedom. I’m able to read, listen, get inspired, turn around, and apply that to the space. Our walls are fully collaged with posters, art, and photos; I add to them daily. I begin each shift with an album I’ve never heard before, whether it’s a random grab from the racks or something that was recommended to me. It’s fun to connect with music others see themselves in and help them find new tracks to compliment their listening libraries!
While our store has a very high turn around with media, I pride myself in making sure everything is organized, clean, and ready to enjoy. I want the store to be easy to navigate and enjoyable.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Social media and advertising only goes so far and can end up being a distraction or bother. We’ve found the best way to connect with others is word of mouth, sharing stories/flyers/music/etc, little tidbits that are made with care that aren’t controlled by an algorithm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rivercityduluth.com
- Instagram: @RiverCityDuluth
- Facebook: @RiverCityDuluth
