Hey Suburbia Records
HeySuburbiaRecords.com | 108 W Main St.
Until recently, suburban record collectors between Cincinnati and Dayton didn’t have nearby independent record stores to dig for music treasures. Enter Mason’s Hey Suburbia Records, which bridged the gap between cities for record collectors starting in 2021. We spoke with Head of Operations Jason Neill.
Tell us about what your store offers. What makes your selection unique?
We offer a wide variety of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, t-shirts and other music-related items. We’re well known for having one of the largest selections of Japanese import records in the country, as well as rare vinyl copies of albums produced during the CD era of the 1990s and early 2000s. We take pride in our collector focus while also having an array of accessible rock, pop, metal, punk and jazz titles.
What is Hey Suburbia known for by your customers?
We are known for having high-quality records and knowledgeable, friendly staff. We strive to bring customers quality, rare and unique titles with no blemishes, scratches and scuffs.
What are some current staff favorites?
We post weekly staff favorites on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Our staff is heavily into bands like Black Sabbath, The Ramones, The Descendents, Big Star, Bolt Thrower and Screeching Weasel. The store is actually named after Screeching Weasel's 1988 song, "Hey Suburbia."
What do you enjoy most about operating a record shop in Mason?
Mason is the heart of the burbs! Being exactly halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton gives us a diverse clientele.
Mavericks
MavericksMason.com | 1065 Reading Rd.
Mavericks came to Mason in 2012 and serves the local gaming community, offering a large selection of trading cards and collectibles. We spoke with General Manager Luke Browning about what customers can discover at Mavericks.
Tell us about the products that your store offers.
We support a variety of trading card games, including Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, One Piece, Digimon, Flesh and Blood, Riftbound, Gundam and Lorcana. Additionally, we carry a wide selection of Warhammer 40k models, Dungeons & Dragons books, dice and miniature painting supplies.
Why do you think there's still such an interest in cards and gaming?
During the pandemic, people were stuck at home with little to do and extra cash from the stimulus. Many began revisiting their hobbies, digging through their closets and finding old trading cards. Some now had kids who were expressing interest. Pokémon also received a lot more mainstream attention, with influencers showing off their collections on camera. This interest in collectible cards spread to other card games and has continued to rise since.
What is Mavericks known for? What keeps customers coming back?
Community. We have regular customers from all walks of life. This is a great place for introverts and extroverts alike. In a world where society is increasingly divided, places like this are very important.
What is special about your gaming events?
The most special thing about our events is how welcoming they are. We offer a large variety of events and there is something for everyone.