Record store celebrates a decade of music in Tartu

Gramophonetree Records, a beloved vinyl shop located on the second floor of the Genialistide Klubi in Tartu, is marking its tenth year of operation. The store's proprietor, Rainer Sirel, also known as Rob, found a home for his burgeoning business in 2016.

Sirel's vision for the record store predates its opening. While living in the United Kingdom, he developed a passion for scouring flea markets on weekends, searching for rare vinyl records. His love for music, he says, has been with him for as long as he can remember. "I remember when I was little and my parents listened to estrada and Melodiya records in the living room, it was fun to put the records on the player myself," he recalled.

However, his deeper engagement with vinyl collecting intensified during his time in the UK, fueling the desire to open his own specialized store. The shop has since become a haven for music enthusiasts in Tartu, offering a curated selection of records and fostering a community around the shared love of music.