Help Sustain Philadelphia's Only Black-Owned Record Shop

My name is Rashied Amon, owner and curator of SOOK Vinyl & Vintage. We are a Black culture-centered vintage boutique and Philadelphia’s only Black-owned record shop. We recently celebrated our first year in business this past December. Our first year didn’t come without its trials, but the triumphs were many, and we made it through with your succor. Since we opened our doors, the community has shown support through their patronage, engagement, and synergy.

SOOK Vinyl & Vintage evolved from an annual pop-up “Black Culture Museum” established in 2021. Our first one-day pop-up was held at Thee Imaginarium, Jae Martin and Kariem Young’s collaborative art studio in Germantown. This event was more vintage apparel-based but still Black culture-centered. So many connections were made at this event that would bolster the brand in the future.

Our second pop-up was a 2-day BHM event in collaboration with The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, the region's 2nd largest African American newspaper.

After a successful residency at Our House Cultural Center in Fall 2023 that ran for 30 days and featured several local artists and creators, we opened the doors of our first brick-and-mortar operation.

Inspired in nomenclature by my travels to Northern Africa, the SOOK became the culmination of all the sporadic pop-ups and consistent vending since the world opened after COVID. Inspired in ambition by my father’s love for music as a nightclub DJ and curator. It was finding the remainder of his collection that sparked my interest in the format and sent me on a journey to seek and rediscover Black music wherever I went. Inspired in mission to “Reclaim & Redistribute” these artifacts of diasporic African tangible culture. Not only music but also art, apparel, books, and ephemera.

Every journey is not without its pitfalls and this year in business may just be a step towards what we will become just as Black Culture Museum was... However, it is our sincere hope that with perseverance and your support we can make it through this tough season and progress to our next. As we have many plans for 2025.

Donations will help maintain the SOOK, 7169 Germantown Ave., through the slower months of 2025 as we work towards sustainability in the new year. Thank you all who have supported us thus far.

Rashied Amon