Music lovers expands Latitude

For more than four years, Peter Alumasa had a desire to own and operate a record store. This desire turned into a reality when on Feb. 1, he opened the doors of Latitude Records, located at 12513 Lake City Way NE.

   Says Alumasa: "I thought of a records store because I like music and I DJ as a hobby. That set me thinking: 'If I could make money out of it, then why not give it a try?'"

He adds that his idea was to open a store where DJ's could buy regular records, tapes and CDs at a reduced price. But when customers walked in looking for jazz albums and music that is not easily available, he broadened his scope to cater for the diverse clientele.

The music he sells ranges from Hip Hop, R&B, Blues, Afro-Caribbean beats and even African tunes, most of which can be heard playing in the background of the store.

"Customers not only buy the records," says Alumasa. "Latitude Records has a provision where the customers can sell and trade their used CDs as well."

Along with the sale of LPs, CDs and cassettes, he sells a wide range of accessories, from batteries to blank CDs and tapes. He adds that soon he will stock DVDs and video games "which have updates every other day."

Says Alumasa: "With everything going digital now, we are working on a digital studio at the back of the store. We are in the age where quality music recordings can be made in the computer with the aid of music editing

software."

Alumasa says that the LPs, CDs and tapes are reasonably priced so that even students can afford them.

"Gone are the days when big studios charged exorbitant prices for records and services," he says. "We will provide a facility where you can walk in, record what you want and walk out with a professionally mastered CD ready to hit the record store."

He adds that Latitude Entertainment, a branch of Latitude Records

specializes in event planning, and the prices are negotiable.

"We offer mobile DJ services," he says. "We cover wedding parties, birthday parties, everything. I once covered a divorce party," he says, chuckling.

"As for the future of Latitude Records," he says, "I hope it stays in Lake City for a long time. But reality dictates that business has to be successful for that to happen."