Mills Record Co. is moving to 4045 Broadway this summer

Judy Mills recently celebrated the three-year anniversary of her Westport record store, Mills Record Co., just 10 days ago, and it appears that even brighter days are ahead. Mills remains open in its current location at 314 Westport Road, but in four to six weeks, it will open new doors at a much larger location just around the corner at 4045 Broadway (across the street from Riot Room).

“We’re excited that Kansas City supports locally owned businesses, especially at a time when a lot of out of town businesses are moving into our neighborhoods,” Mills says. “Because of this local support, though, we get to move around the block and double our space and better serve Kansas City. It’s a circle of love that I believe in.”

The new space and its greater square footage will provide a lot of new opportunities for the store, including a dedicated performance space for in-store shows — one away from the record bins. Currently, performances take place in the storefront windows, and show attendees often crowd the store’s doorway and spill into the aisles between record bins.

“People will actually be able to shop in the store during in-stores,” Mills says and laughs.

Mills has a number of surprises planned for the new space, but one she will indulge is that the space will include more custom artwork installed by local artists, including John Raux, who is responsible for the large wooden bird that adorns the tin ceiling in the current Mills space.

“With so much additional space it will give us room to breathe,” Mills says.

It will also give her an opportunity to make available what sounds like a massive cache of records that are currently in storage. Mills says there are multiple collections, including prized pieces that have been warehoused in anticipation of the new store’s opening. She plans a soft opening for the new store, to be followed by one, perhaps two, opening parties to celebrate the new space. Announcements are coming.

“The building we’re taking over has a 60-year history of serving Westport and Kansas City as a family-owned business,” Mills says. “We’re proud to continue the heritage of that building and turn it into a thriving spot for supporting local music.”