RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Music and book lovers rejoice!

At 2707 Cordova Lane, near KP International Market, a new record store and bookstore has recently opened to the public: Fat Elephant Records, Books, and Music.

This is the only combined record store and bookstore in the city of Rancho Cordova, offering a curated collection of affordable vinyl records, cassette tapes, books, CDs, DVDs and more.

The store’s owner and founder is Charles Lago, the executive director of the Rancho Cordova Film Office, who also helps run Black Box Theater and Old Mills Winery. Currently, he works alongside Jose Ruiz, also an employee of the film office, and Rafael Portillo, but plans to hire more store employees as business grows. 

“We came across all these records and we kept acquiring them,” Lago said. “I thought, ‘let’s just open a store.’ I have a background in bookstores, so why not just do both?” So, Lago negotiated a lease with the property owners and the rest is history.

Customers walking into Fat Elephant are greeted at first with the current, popular records, such as Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen albums. But the further into the store, the more interesting it gets.

Many Sacramento residents will remember The Beat, a former downtown record store off of J Street that closed in 2013. Lago and Ruiz acquired its sign and now it proudly lights up the back wall, paying homage to a beloved Sacramento novelty.

Customers can find records and CDs ranging from all types of genres, including classical, which is rare for record stores to carry, according to Lago. Movie soundtrack records are also available, including a rare original “Tarzan” record.

The store also boasts a large world music collection, which includes Latin, French, Italian, German, Indian, Russian and Island music in both records and CDs. Lago, from Europe, noted how someone from another country might be delighted to find an album from an artist that is popular overseas but not necessarily popular in America.

There are even comedy and poetry records for sale but it would take all day to peruse the extensive collection of records at Fat Elephant.

Though the store’s records are mostly used, excluding the new releases, Lago emphasized that all books for sale are new, featuring bestsellers, fiction, nonfiction, self-help, children’s and more.

What makes Fat Elephant special? Lago started with the obvious.

“Record stores in Sacramento rarely carry books,” he said. “We have stuff that other record stores won’t carry because it might be outdated or rare but what I’ve noticed is that people buy it.”

Lago used an example of a young male customer who Lago assumed wouldn’t find anything he liked. To his surprise, the young man bought three vintage Frank Sinatra records, proving that young people are still interested in buying classic records.

“At Fat Elephant Records, we pride ourselves on curating a wide-ranging inventory that spans genres, time periods and continents,” Lago said. “There are very few records above $40.”

Customers can also shop a collection of board games and trinkets, such as journals and coasters made to look like records.

Despite its soft opening six weeks ago, Fat Elephant Records, Books, and Music will have its grand opening celebration from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. The celebration will feature live music, complimentary wine and a 20% discount at the store.

The live music will take place inside, featuring two soloists and one band: TIP Vicious, a local Sacramento hip-hop artist; Linden Wood, a country solo artist; and Lab Rats, a locally based hip-hop band, according to Ruiz.

Two lucky raffle winners will receive a $100 and a $50 gift card, according to Lago. The Mexican restaurant next door to the store, El Puerto Restaurant, will be serving tacos and beer, as well. 

According to Lago and Ruiz, Fat Elephant is aiming to be an “events-based” venue and a “cultural hub” for the arts, and they will aim to hold one to two events per month.

Anyone interested in selling their vinyl collection and “making sure it ends up in the right hands” can contact Fat Elephant, who might buy or exchange the records, according to Lago.

Fat Elephant Records, Books, and Music is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, but after its grand opening, will be open on Wednesdays. After Thanksgiving, the store will aim to be open every day, except Mondays.

To learn more, visit www.FatElephantRecords.com. Follow the store on Instagram, @fatelephantrecordss. The store phone numbers are 310-663-4226 or 279-599-5350.