Electric City Repair, located at 7225 Lowell Blvd. in Historic Westminster is your local one-stop-shop for anything and everything vintage audio. We talked with owner Eric “Robot” Johnson about how he got his start, Historic Westminster “choosing him” for his location, and the coolest things in his shop.
Why did you open a vintage audio shop and record store?
EJ: As I have told several people (and my cats), I never just set out to start up a vintage audio shop and record store. It just sort of happened that way. All I ever wanted to do was fix things. Fixing awesome vintage audio equipment is just an extra bonus.
My true passion was always the things that are electrical and mechanical in nature. I understand gears, wires, electrons and physics better than most people. That is why my friends and family call me ‘Robot’ -- it is because I empathize with the very soul of the machines I work with.
How did Electric City get its start?
EJ: About ten years ago I discovered that old audio equipment had a particular sound quality to it that could not be matched by modern technology, and that it was actually repairable. At that point Electric City was born! Ten years later and we are the top vintage audio repair shop in Colorado and possibly the world -- subject to opinion of course.
Why did you choose Historic Westminster for your location?
EJ: I did not really choose Westminster, it chose me. I live in the Harris Park neighborhood and it happened that the old pawn shop on 72nd and Lowell had a sign on it that read ‘For Lease’. I called the phone number and after the building owner twisted my arm with a rental rate well below market, I said “shut up and take my money.” It turned out to be the best decision I had made all day.
What is the coolest thing you have ever restored? What is the coolest thing you sell?
EJ: It is hard to say since everything I have worked on has been pretty cool. I guess one item that stands out would be a 1932 Wurlitzer Jukebox. I have to say I will never do it again, but when I was done you could put in a nickel and it would play a 78rpm record. The coolest things in our inventory in my opinion are some of the turntables we have. They should be in some kind of audio museum, but they are not. They are for sale and you can buy them and play records on them because they are 100 percent functional.
Learn more about Electric City Repair here: https://www.electriccityrepair.com/
Image Credit:
Misty Walls Photography Co Inc.
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