Business
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
ZT Records owner Phil Ramirez said vintage media forms produce better sound quality.
ZT Records is known for its diverse music choices including modern selections.
PHOTOS COURTESY ZT RECORDS
ZT Records o ers vintage, classical and modern music
Phil Ramirez started collecting records over 15 years ago and converted his hobby into a business with ZT Records. The record store was founded in Frisco in 2011 and expanded to The Woodlands Mall in September 2023. Ramirez said while people can stream music online, physical music media such as records, compact discs and cassettes can o er people a more personal experience with features such as album cover art and enhanced sound quality. “[Physical music media] is a rebellion against streaming services,” Ramirez said. “On streaming services your artist is available one month and then the next month is gone, but with records and CDs, once you buy it, it’s yours forever.” What’s special about it Ramirez said he sold his rst records on Craigslist and decided to start selling his collection at the Frisco Mercantile antique store in 2009, where his business began to take o . When he opened his rst brick and mortar store, Ramirez said he named the record store after his daughters Zoe and Trinity with a focus on selling records and vintage media to younger generations. He said ZT Records is known for its diverse music selection with classics from Pink Floyd to modern music with artists such as Tyler the Creator, Metallica, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, The Marias, Pierce The Veil and Tame Impala. Ramirez said customers can expect a friendly
sta to o er them assistance when needed. “I think sometimes people get intimidated going into record stores and can be afraid of not knowing enough about records to ask questions or to get help, and I want to create an environment where people can feel comfortable to ask questions,” Ramirez said. What else? Aside from records, ZT Records o ers CDs, cassettes and posters as well as record trading and buying services. Ramirez said he hopes to hold community events at ZT Records in the near future. “It’s always interesting to look at other collections because you kind of learn more about the person that you never talk to for very long, but, when you look at their music taste or how they organized it, the collection tells a story,” Ramirez said. Looking ahead, Ramirez said ZT Records new releases will be available on Nov. 29 for Black Friday. “I try to carry everything that I think people would want to listen to and then sometimes I’ll put in things that I just nd interesting and see if people might nd that interesting as well,” Ramirez said. In addition, he has plans to expand the record store with a fourth location at the First Colony Mall in Sugar Land early next year.
ZT Records o ers records and CDs from classical to modern artists.
ZT Records music selection ZT Records o ers a diverse selection of genres and artists including:
Blues and jazz: • John Mayall • Gerald Wilson • Norah Jones • Miles Davis
Rock and pop: • Taylor Swift • Pearl Jam • Loverboy • Kings of Leon Country and folk: • Willie Nelson • Johnny Cash • Carrie Underwood • Dolly Parton
R&B/soul: • Babyface • Willow • Beyonce • Morris Day
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1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands www.ztrecords.com
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION
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