Tucked away on 3rd and Elm is Foot Work Records, a shop unlike any other, specializing in house music. Its sleek, black walls give it the feel of a high-end nightclub fit for the likes of Soho.
The shop also doubles as an event space where both, aspiring DJs and those whose records can be found for sale in the bins.
For owner Dakin Auret the space is intentional and lends itself to the type of community he is looking to build within the vibrant record-collecting community that already exists within Long Beach.
“I want it to feel like a hangout spot,” Auret said. “People can come in here and learn about the different labels offering great house music. They can practice on the decks and get a feel for what it would be like to play music on high-quality speakers.”
Aside from a well-curated selection of vinyl to shop from, guests at Foot Work are often greeted with a complimentary cup of coffee from Auret who enjoys chatting with people about the music he loves.
There is also a listening booth where guests can listen to records.
“Many people who buy records don’t actually own a record player,” Auret said. “With this space, they can relax and have a listen.”
The space is a true labor of love with fixtures and built-ins crafted by Auret and his father, who works in construction.
Hailing from South Africa, Auret says that house music was an integral part of his experience, growing up.
“South Africa actually makes up the largest number of consumers of house music, “Auret said, beaming with pride. “It’s so universal (house music). There’s no cursing. No language barriers. It just is.”
An accomplished DJ in his own right, Auret’s vision for a community space came to him at the height of COVID, a time when his fast-paced life of festival and event production suddenly did not exist.
“I was just secretly hoarding records with the hopes of selling them one day,” Auret said. “Looking for a space was hard and I ran into some difficulties but I am happy that I ended up here.
Foot Work is in good company with some of Long Beach’s best record shops in close proximity, such as Fingerprints and the Record Box.
Auret says his neighbors have been welcoming and appreciate Foot Work for the niche it’s centered around. It is Long Beach’s first and only record store dedicated to dance music, exclusively.
Be it the coffee or the calming aesthetic due in part to the pockets of lush greenery peppered throughout the space, Foot Work Records is a serene place to indulge in some infectious tunes and come away with a new favorite album.
Foot Work hosts a monthly listening party where the emphasis is on community building and giving people access to world class DJs who might otherwise be too expensive to see live.
To keep tabs on Foot Work Record and hear about the next listening party, be sure to give them a follow on Instagram.
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