Like many people Daren Compton remembers the first album that was purchased for him – when he was just 7 years old.

“The first album I got was Sgt. Peppers in the fall of 1967,” said Compton, who grew up in Kirkland. “I made sure it was in stereo. I got the mono version later. But that album was truly meaningful art. It didn’t have the typical love songs and singles.”

His mother purchased the album at a Kirkland record store that, like most record stores, does not exist anymore. But Compton’s passion for music has led him to open the only independent record store on the Eastside on Totem Lake Blvd., Vortex Music and Movies on Feb. 29.

“There are some in Seattle and Silver Platters at Crossroads is the only record store on the Eastside,” said Compton. “They have staff and a lot of overhead. This is a one-man operation.”

Compton can appreciate the skepticism linked to opening a record store. With most people utilizing digital media for their music needs, record stores have become nearly extinct.

“We are not broadcasting. We are narrowcasting to a specific group of people. Vinyl is seeing a huge resurgence. There is a lot of nostalgia,” said Compton, who has a 1963 jukebox in the store that he purchased a decade ago. “We are providing something that is not on the Eastside.”

The jukebox is like many of the items in the store – hard to find in good condition. Most of the items are from Compton’s personal collection that he has amassed during the past 40 years of collecting.

“This is a lifelong passion of mine,” said Compton, who worked for nearly four decades as a chef. “I just collected, and collected, and collected, and always wanted to open a store. I kept it all in storage for years. I am just fulfilling a dream. There are a lot of people supporting me.”

Vortex music carries used and new vinyl, CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray discs and Laser Discs, among other things.

The Laser Discs are important to some collectors.

“About every 20 years things cycle back through,” said Compton. “There is a lot of material that is not available on DVD.”

One area that Vortex specializes in is concert DVDs and Laser Discs. Compton also has some imports and rare items that are out of print.

A big advantage that Vortex has is how close it is to I-405.

“About 129,000 people see my sign every day,” said Compton about his Totem Lake location. “A lot of people see us from the freeway and come in. We get people who are visiting family at the hospital. Totem Lake needs a consortium of people to help the area.”

Despite the visibility, Compton is trying to get the word out.

“I go downtown (Kirkland) to an espresso bar and people are surprised we are here,” said Compton, who is married. “We have to educate people that we are here.”

Compton has seen good traffic in the store and online.

“My original thought was that the brick and mortar store would drive the website but I am rethinking that because I think the web drives the business,”said Compton. “We have an active audience that orders online.”

The website also has a group of bloggers who write about collecting, first experiences and other topics that have to do with popular music. Vortex has a heavy online presence on Facebook and Twitter.

Compton said that although he grew up with classic rock like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and The Who, he still enjoys contemporary bands.

He said the average customer is in the 18-23 age demographic but he gets people from all generations.

“I have brought in seniors and we play some easy listening from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” said Compton, who last worked at Merrill Gardens as a chef.

Being a chef taught him to be resourceful and stick to a budget. “I worked for Nordstrom for 22 years and I learned the need for good customer service,” said Compton.

He said that he plans to start having local artists come in and play at the store and sell more local music. He wants to touch on any need he sees in the community for music and movies.

“I plan on being here to celebrate our 50th anniversary,” said Compton.

More information

Vortex Music and Movies is located at 12525 Totem Lake Blvd. N.E., Kirkland. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. Contact the store at 425-814-4141.