Speaking Volumes Changing Hands
Well folks, the rumors are true. Actually, that's not much of a surprise given that the subject of said rumors was the first to whisper them. But still. Speaking Volumes, the eclectic secondhand book and record store (and occasional live music/party hot spot) on Pine Street in Burlington, is changing hands.
Speaking by phone, outgoing shop owner Norbert Ender says it was simply time for a change.
"I've established myself rather solidly here, but I'm ready to move on," says the Austrian native who opened the store in 2007. Ender, 50, adds that in the immediate future he plans to travel, but will keep his apartment in Burlington as a home base.
As for the shop itself, new owner Alan Cosabic suggests the store's business model will remain pretty much the same for the time being.
"We're not planning to change things up too much," he says in a recent phone call.
Cosabic, a native of Bosnia who works in insurance, has been a regular customer at the store for years. He says he'd like to maintain the store's core cutomer base and look for ways to branch out once he's got a feel for the business.
"We might move more into music equipment eventually," he says, adding that he's interested in opening a recording studio aimed at local musicians. "But for now we're keeping it pretty much the same."
That includes maintaining the store's book and record collections and continuing to host parties, such as the annual Speaking Volumes July 3rd bash.
Cosabic and Ender say the tranfer should be official by early September, which, conveniently enough, is just in time for another Speaking Volumes staple: the annual SV Art Hop party. This year the blowout, which typically features a wealth of local bands and performance artists, will serve double duty as a going away party for Ender.
"Well, I certainly couldn't leave without throwing another party," he says.
