NEW DIGS. Abraxas Wax (try to say that five times fast!) opened its doors Sept. 30, a wicked cool new hangout and music store within.

Filled to the brim with vivid colors and funky patterns, Abraxas Wax is much more than the average vintage record store. Owner Seth Larson wants the space to be a unique hub for the community, somewhere people can not only jam out to new musical finds but also enjoy a cup of coffee and play a video game or two.

The new store, which officially opened Sept. 30, is at 320 Graham Ave., Eau Claire. Folks can peruse the extent of Larson’s wide record collection – approximately 8,000 records! – and other so-called “vintage” forms of media such as cassettes, CDs, VHS tapes, and books.

Larson has been collecting records since high school, gathering what he calls an “eclectic range” of music. He has often traveled across the Midwest to treasure hunt for records and build his impressive collection. Recently, Larson has been interested in finding music from various global genres.

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CULTURALLY, I THINK MUSIC IS NECESSARY. IT FEEDS THE SOUL.

SETH LARSON

OWNER OF ABRAXAS WAX

“I really like French Jazz, Brazilian and Latin Funk, and Argentinian and Prog music,” Larson said. “I like it all, but international (music) is kind of my thing lately.” He hopes his love for diverse music will inspire others to branch out, which is why he has a designated listening corner in the store so customers can try before they buy.

“A lot of people don’t like to take that risk because money is tight, and I get it,” Larson explained. “But I really want people to try something different. That’s my goal here.”

Growing up in Eau Claire, Larson had dreamed of starting his own business. He decided to open his own vintage record store because of his lifelong passion for music, often finding himself rummaging through crates of vinyl at Revival Records (128 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) after school. His love for music also inspired the name of the store: Abraxas is the title of a 1970 Santana album that got Larson interested in jazz and Latin music, and represents a spiritual term of a being higher than God.

“For me, music is pretty spiritual,” Larson said. “Culturally, I think music is necessary. It feeds the soul.”

Current hours for the store are Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm, and Sunday, 11am-5pm, with the store closed on Monday and Tuesday so Larson can continue traveling to collect more inventory. Larson is hoping to hold a Halloween and Grand Opening party on Saturday, Oct. 28, with the possibility of live acoustic music.

The shop is shared with his wife’s architectural design business and is equipped with an elevator in the back of the building for those who may need it to enter, so that way everyone can enjoy the store.

You can see some of Abraxas Wax’s inventory on their Instagram (@abraxaswax). Visit them at 320 Graham Ave., Eau Claire. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm, and Sunday, 11am-5pm.