Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Kirschner.
Hi Andrew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I was born in Austin, Texas and moved to Cleveland when i was six. I’ve loved records and music for as long as I can remember. My father gave me his collection when I was around twelve years old and it just started from there. Some of my first jobs were working at local shops, and around eight years ago I started working at Hanson Records in Oberlin. This allowed me to really see the ins and outs of owning your own business, and sparked the idea that I could open my own shop. After owning and managing an online shop for several years I decided to open a brick and mortar location within West of Venus, a vintage boutique on the west side of Cleveland, as the Mistake By The Lake Records headquarters. We’ve been going strong since 2019. I’m also a musician and have been releasing my own music on the MBTL record label, as well as others from the city and worldwide since 2008.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road! I opened my business 3 months before Covid quarantine and we weren’t open to the public until June of the following year. If it wasn’t for mail order and our amazing landlords, we would have not been able to survive that first year. It was terrifying thinking we weren’t going to survive, but luckily we fought through and are still here.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mistake By The Lake (MBTL) launched in 2008 as a record and tape label focused on showcasing the work being put out by experimental musicians in Cleveland. It has only grown from there and I’ve been lucky enough to work with artists I look up to and respect. MBTL puts out music to this day, and specializes in experimental/noise music. The store carries music you will not be able to find in other shops in Cleveland, and a lot of times we’re the only place in the United States carrying certain titles. We’re proud to provide a voice to local artists, a place for people to check out what is happening off the beaten path, and a chance to hear something you’ve never heard before!
We also frequently host fundraisers for local organizations and causes around Cleveland that we think are important. MBTL is a place where we hope people can drop by to learn about current events and music in their city, grab great music, and feel welcome. For those who can’t make it into the shop, we offer no contact delivery in Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs and we ship worldwide.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The shop would 100% not be open or a reality if it was not for Aaron Dilloway and what he taught me about records and all that goes with it. Working under him, I learned so much about music and running your own business. I really credit most of my knowledge to the years spent working under Aaron at Hanson Records and I will forever be grateful.
My family was a big help and gave me the push I needed to start my own business. Without their support, this wouldn’t be a reality. Especially my brother Mike who helped me move collections, helped me set up the shop when we moved in and so much more.
The Mattis family that owns West of Venus, the store im attached to, also has looked out for me since day one. Besides being great landlords, they have done so much for me and yet another reason we would not be here if it wasnt for Allie, Barb, Mike, Alice and Paul.
If it weren’t for the support of my friends, family, and West of Venus, I don’t know if we’d still be here. Those early days were incredibly challenging due to being shut down for quarantine and without their continued support and love, this just couldn’t happen.
Contact Info:
- Email: Mistakebythelakeohio@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.discogs.com/seller/mistakebythelake/profile
- Instagram: @mbtlrecords
- Facebook: @mbtlrecords
- Other: Www.bandcamp.com/mistakebythelake
Image Credits
Brittany Senger
Mike Kirschner
Emma White
