Downtown Records
retail store
Lafayette, Indiana

Jeremiah Beaver and Michael Booth first came to the Greater Lafayette Small Business Development Center in July of 2004 needing help to open their retail record store, Downtown Records at 215 N. 10th St. in Lafayette, Ind.

Regional Director Susan Davis reviewed and critiqued the business plan. She used Excel templates to create financial projections and discussed what a bank would be looking for in the business plan.

While they were not able to access bank financing for this venture, they created a business plan that convinced them to move forward on opening this business using their own money.

Downtown Records opened Friday, November 5, 2004, in historic downtown Lafayette with 2 employees.

“The SBDC was helpful and gave great information. I would recommend them to anyone thinking about starting a business,” Beaver says.

2006 update: The business has earned a reputation and following for its music inventory; it also regularly hosts local musicians who give live performances.

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Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana, and our many local partners. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance by calling your local SBDC.