A Greencastle native and a 2017 graduate of Wabash College, Brand Selvia is passionate about history, conversation and classic cars. Nicknamed "Brando" by family and friends, Selvia loves chatting over a cup of coffee or glass of bourbon, as well as joyriding in his 1974 Volkswagen Beetle.

Gettin' my stash

Posted Friday, September 7, 2018, at 9:04 PM

Blogspot | WYA!

After what has been a rather hectic week, I am happy that I have finally been able to sit down and write this week's blog post.

It's always better late than never, especially with the Labor Day holiday and just having more stuff to do in general. In this job, you are always behind in some fashion.

So, what did I do on my day off Wednesday? It was a simple road trip, really. I got the Volkswagen out and made a trip westward to Terre Haute.

"What could be that interesting in Terre Haute?," some cynic might ask. There is one place in particular that fits the bill as a local landmark.

Headstone Friends is an old record store that sells vinyl (yes, the real stuff), as well as cassettes (more of an 80s thing), posters, trinkets and incense. It has no doubt has seen its fair share of "smelly stuff" since it opened back in 1970. In my estimation, it is about as authentic as you can get.

Unfortunately, I can't add a photo here that I snapped on my Instagram of the VW with Headstone Friends in the background, but the cover photo gives you an idea of just how colorful a place it is.

The people who own it are friendly and have been there for a very long time, and more than happy for you to get lost in perusing what the pickers have come across.

Before going, was able to meet with my grandmother for lunch at the Grand Traverse Pie Company. I actually went and got her in the Bug, which I'm sure she appreciated despite some trouble getting her feet in. I'm more happy that we survived the 90-degree heat.

I guess that the overall point here is that a place like Headstone Friends can only be found if someone is looking for it. It is sort of out of the way, and it surely has a reputation with the locals. But it is a good example of what you can discover when you don't judge a book by its cover.

For older readers, If you're willing to explore a little bit, you can be rewarded with a nostalgia trip. For you younger readers, you get an understanding of what our parents had to look forward to.

With a gift card I got last Christmas, I was able to get my stash of records: copies of Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms," Kenny Rogers' "Kenny" and a new pressing of the Beatles' "Revolver." Good things come in small packages.

If you're ever in the area, it is more than worth it just to visit Headstone Friends. It's half-novelty business and half-living history exhibit, and it is still going strong.