By Chidalu Nnorukah, Matthew Studier, Sasha Wilson & Tabassum Sayeka Tarannum

This story was produced by a collaborative team of students from the Community-Engaged Digital Storytelling (CEDST) Lab at Western Michigan University. It is a joint project with the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative and its equitable community development reporting project. Still images were captured by local photographer Taylor Scamehorn.

Michael Evans, owner of Satellite Records, has a deep love of music. 

A music collector for more than a decade and a former band member in his younger years, music has been a constant presence in his life. Owning a record store, he explains, simply made sense: it allowed him to stay immersed in the culture he loved while sharing that passion with others.

Like many small businesses, Satellite Records has faced its share of challenges. One of the most difficult periods came during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the store was forced to temporarily close. Evans and his team pivoted to online sales, contact-free drop-offs, and local deliveries. 

“For us, we closed the store for like four or five months. We were doing it online only, and shipping stuff, or I would even contact people for free and drop off people’s music,” Evans recalls.

What kept the company afloat during this period was the community of loyal patrons it had built over the years. “We did a lot of e-commerce, or just selling locally to people that we had already built relationships with. Just trying to figure out how to keep the business going when the doors were not open. That was the biggest challenge and obstacle we had to overcome,” Evans says.

Over the years, Satellite Records has continued to grow in size, inventory, popularity, and customer base, a success Evans largely attributes to the Kalamazoo community. The store has been operating in Kalamazoo for more than 15 years, and Evans remains grateful for the consistent support from residents and customers. 

“We have been in Kalamazoo for over 15 years, and every year, we have steadily grown our customer base and business,” he says. “It wouldn’t be without Kalamazoo residents and customers that come in daily.” 

What surprises many first-time visitors, Evans says, is that record stores still exist and can thrive.

For older customers, stepping inside can feel like returning to a familiar ritual; for younger ones, it’s a chance to discover music beyond modern digital trends. 

“People who visit the store for the first time are always surprised by something, whether it be the feeling of being in a record store again, maybe because they are older individuals who grew up with record stores,”ays Evans. 

To Evans, record stores are important because they offer something digital listening cannot: the act of discovery and intentional music connection. 

Beyond music sales, Satellite Records offers opportunities to connect with the Kalamazoo community through programs like the open-mic, held every Thursday. “We accept really anyone brave enough to stand up in front of people and showcase some type of talent,” says Evans.

What started as a small idea has grown into a popular neighborhood event, often drawing dozens of participants and listeners. One night, it drew more than 20 people who were performing or watching. 

“Our open-mic caters to all types of artists, whether it be performing music, playing an instrument, singing, songwriting, poetry, comedy, or improv,” says Evans. “It is a safe place for people to come out and be creative or weird in their own way.” 

Satellite Records continues to serve as a mainstay for Kalamazoo music lovers — a place to discover new sounds, revisit nostalgia, unwind, and engage with music across genres. As Evans makes clear, the store’s longevity is not accidental; it’s the result of mutual support between a business and the people who believe in it.