Crafted conversations
Rust & Wax
Let's dive in a little deeper and meet Rust and Wax. Let me introduce you to Melanie & Jesse Feldman, record shop owners since 2014. I am personally so thrilled to have met Jesse and Melanie and to start off Crafted Conversations with them. I can honestly say, these two have helped me stay in the game long term to create events like The Miami Flea and now Flamingo Flea. From the beginning when we first met in 2016, during the Miami Flea days, they always made The Flea a better event. They encompass the entire vibe of the flea, they are all about community, they enjoy teaching people about music, and you know from just seeing their pop up record shop they love music and they love a good dig. From starting off selling vintage home decor and records at events under a 10x10 known as Purveyors of Preservation to now, Rust and Wax has shop in West Palm Beach at Elizabeth Ave Station. You can find the newest of music, some hard to find vintage and some wild cards in the $3 bin. I am pleased to let everyone get to know Rust & Wax a little better as they are the first guest that we will be sitting down to chat with.
Flamingo Flea: Simply, what is Rust and Wax?
Rust and Wax: Rust and Wax is a record shop specializing in vinyl records, tapes, books, and other finely curated goods for the music lovers.
FF: When did you all start this current project:
Started the hustle doing pop-ups in 2014, but the record shop has been in its current location since 2017.
FF: Shop-wise, who is your inspiration?
RW: Our shop draws inspiration from a lot of other record shops, including Radio-Active Records (Fort Lauderdale), 12 Tonar (Iceland), Dusty Groove (Chicago), and Plaid Room Records (Loveland, OH). We are always trying to present a space where the record and music community can grow and flourish, so we also draw inspiration from people/groups/companies who have done such a great job at creating community like Subculture Coffee, Prism Creative Group, the team at Elizabeth Ave Station, and (of course) Flamingo Flea.
FF: What is your favorite part about living the vendor life?
RW: Meeting new music lovers, introducing people to new music, building the community.
FF: What is your typical or target client?
RW: Everybody! The best part about music is that it doesn't discriminate.
FF: We all have To Do lists, but let us know what is on your Ta Da list? What are some of your greatest accomplishments and what are you proud of? Dont be shy!
RW: Aside from figuring out how to stay in business this long, there are a few things over the years that we are proud of. When we were selling more vintage items, one piece we sold ended up on the show Master of None for a few episodes (hint, it's a sign above his counter in the kitchen scenes). More recently, I think our favorite memories have involved some of the live music events we've held at the shop, including our Two Year Anniversary Music Festival (Jacuzzi Boys, Hurricane Party, the Haunt, Kimberlys, and Sandman Sleeps) and the in-store performance from Delvon Lamar Organ Trio.
FF: We need to know, when you are working late at night and you're on a roll, what type of music do you have playing?
RW: Whatever new records we are trying to get in to the shop...because we clean and test basically any record we have in the shop.
FF:I know you both have full time jobs as do most vendors, how do you juggle your lifestyle?
RW: That's a funny question. When we finally figure out how, we'll be sure to let you know!
FF: Lastly, tell us about a lesson you've learned along the way.
RW: It's important to be flexible with your business plan/goals, and always trust your gut.
You can find more information about Rust and Wax like what is new in the shop, store hours, and what events they'll be popping up at below.