Rock Monsters Romania

Text and photos by Ionela Pleșan

If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately and haven’t heard of Bazar de Muzică, I don’t want to know what your feed looks like.

Bazar de Muzică randomly popped up on my TikTok feed ever since Constantin, the store owner, asked us for our opinion on the freshly mounted shelves and whether we thought they fit. I’ve watched this passion-driven small business grow and go viral. From influencers to the artists who have crossed its threshold, everyone seems satisfied.

Even though it’s quite a small space for the variety offered, the place has its charm. I love waiting for my turn to enter the store, particularly in the small hallway where I can browse through vinyl records priced at 10 lei (approximately 2 Euros). Sometimes, I even stumble upon treasures. When I hear the door opening, I know it’s my cue to enter the store and embark on my adventure.

I search through everything: vinyl records, CDs, and tapes. Over time, I’ve developed a habit, perhaps stemming from my anxiety, to avoid interactions by keeping my headphones on. Well, at Bazar de Muzică, I stopped them for the first time. I still had them on, but they were muted. Not to be noticed by anyone, but I still listened to people’s conversations. Teenagers marveling at Carolina Jambala, Manele, or even asking about certain artists whom you’d think only their parents know. Gradually, I started removing my headphones when I’m at Bazar de Muzică. I ask Constantin about artists, if he has a certain CD, and somehow I make myself approachable to people and don’t just give them a negative response by wearing my headphones.

Here, you can find anything. What I found really cool since I got there is that it’s not the typical hipster place in Bucharest where you only find vinyl records. To my surprise, I find CDs too, which I know probably no one listens to anymore, but hey, I still do, and I have quite a collection of albums on CD. You find variety at Bazar de Muzică, and you can listen to vinyl records, CDs, or even buy a Walkman. For the first time in my life, I saw a Walkman there.

If you have music at home that you no longer need or that you’re bored with, consider speaking with Constantin; you can make a trade. You have an excellent chance of finding something really cool in that small, but lively location.

You can find Bazar de Muzică on Lascăr Catargiu Boulevard 16, near Romană, and it’s open daily except for Mondays when it’s closed.

Because I was curious about many things related to this lively place, I talked to Constantin about where it all started, what plans he has for the future, and many other things.

How did your passion for music start?

Music was always THE space for me in which I can explore all my curiosities and my need to meet new people, and I guess this remained quite a constant in my life.

Why cassette tapes, vinyl, and CDs instead of just digital? How do you attract people to buy them?

I think there is something special about tapes, vinyl and CDs, because they offer you a whole experience. They are like tiny time machines that allow people to relive their youth, their first love, and their past experiences through music. Regarding on how I manage to sell them – I just post a lot on social media and people who come in my shop are posting as well, sharing their experience. Everything is organic.

How do you cope with online competition and other forms of music distribution?

I don’t care about my competition (marketing people, pls don’t yell at me haha). I’ve never been to another record shop in Bucharest, because I don’t want to be influenced. I just want to maintain my authenticity and vision. Regarding the online shops, I find them septic. I am doing my best to create an experience through music: people can easily find a varied range of records which they can play inside the shop. This way, they discover new music and can make educated choices.

Three things someone should know about you as a person and three things about Bazar de Muzică.

About me:

1. I don’t have any musical background.

2. I hate elitism – please don’t be pretentious when coming to my shop.

3. I’m the most curious person I know.

About Bazar:

1. Bazar has 12 square meters.

2. Bazar is a search and find record shop, we don’t list albums alphabetically, they have just the main categories differentiated.

3. You can trade your music at our Shop.

How did Bazar de Muzică begin? Why do you continue? If you had the chance to share a message with Constantin from the corporation right now, what would it be?

It began with a small collection and a record player which I got from Elena Calinoiu (Hey Elena!) not too many years ago. Then I started trading the doubles and the music I did not listen to anymore at the yard sale Bazar de Cotroceni in my neighborhood. Also, quitting corporate life was a huge incentive to start this business and I must say that it was THE BEST DECISION EVER. If I could share a message with the past me that would be: when sh*t hits the fan, just tell them they are stupid and quit.

What was the biggest obstacle with Bazar de Muzică?

My biggest challenge was the fact that my family was against this project. That came with a lot of pressure and questionable inner-talk. Only my wife was supportive and I am extremely grateful for that, it means a lot to me.

How do you handle the popularity of Gen Z through social media and influencers?

Pretty well actually, I love the attention my shop gets and people love coming here and sharing content. I recently started creating short reels on Instagram, ask guests about the music they listen to and I am super happy that these videos are getting popular.

What was the most unexpected incident with Bazar de Muzică?

A customer literally screamed at me and told me that I would get bankrupt, just because he did not like the price of a record. That was bizarre.

What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them in this industry?

The only challenge is that I cannot clone myself. I work and keep the shop open for 10 hours per day, every day of the week. Next steps will be trying to hire someone part time.

What are the most popular music genres and artists among your customers? Is this how you choose the new titles and artist or do you have other reasons?

Jazz becomes more and more popular while funk, disco, soul and lăutărească remain top choices. I don’t choose new titles, they choose me. I’m trying to be as diverse as possible and get records from multiple sources. My main source became my customers, who bring records they don’t listen to anymore and trade them for something else, or they just sell them to me.

What are your marketing strategies to sustain the success of the store?

I don’t have a strategy, I just pay attention to the needs of my customers and I keep the prices fair. I’m making small discounts when possible and provide guests with advice when needed. I hate being a salesman. This shop is about community, not about getting rich.

What feedback have you received from customers, and how have you improved their experience and how do you provide a unique and memorable experience for your customers?

98% of feedback I receive is positive, everyone loves it here, but there are some people that don’t like that the shelves don’t have a particular order or the fact that I don’t have a list of my records. If you want to buy a certain record, you can find it online, but if you want to have the ”bazar” experience, START DIGGING.

Do you have plans for events or collaborations in the future to attract more customers?

Not necessarily plans, but I’m trying to be open to any new opportunities. For instance, I started having walkmans in the shop from Cristian Urucu who is reconditioning them and I’m also having small handbags upcycled from vinyls which I got from Beatrice Pîrțac.

What other plans do you have for 2024?

I would love to hire someone who has the same vibes as I do and make the store a bit bigger.

Do you have a message for the people reading this article, those discovering you now or already loyal customers?

Thank you for your support and kindness. Without you this shop would not be what it is, a special tiny little place where people are making friends and share the same passions and experiences. See you around.

I hope this interview will convince you, and that you’ll consider giving Bazar de Muzică a chance. I will definitely go there again, and who knows what I’ll find. I have many artists “to complete,” to find all their albums, to discover new artists, and to see different and cool people gathering in one place because they have a passion, music.

See you at Bazar de Muzică!