GRAILS BRINGS MUSIC, CULTURE & COMMUNITY TO NEW HAVEN
JOIN CAFETERIA FOR THE GRAND OPENING.
There are not enough record stores in Connecticut. Thankfully, King Kenney has imported his New York style and musical expertise to New Haven with the grand opening of Grails. More than just a record store, Grails is a place for audiophiles, the sonically sensitive and those who are just curious about culture. With a stellar collection ranging from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to the Steven Universe: The Movie soundtrack, Grails also features multiple zones where people can come together and just hang out, whether they’re playing Connect 4 or Guitar Hero. Not to mention, there is an adorable kids’ section where children can draw their own album cover art, while parents check out lullaby renditions of Dolly Parton and Weezer.
Before the opening of Grails, King has lived many different lives, but all orbiting around music. The former record store employee, marketing professor, music journalist and DJ turned founder shares, “The most honest version of myself has always been the one connected to music. It’s the thread that runs from my grandfather beside his turntable to my father the DJ. At Grails, we’re building on that legacy. This is more than a store — it’s the culmination of a personal journey to find a center and create a home for those who, like me, find their joy in the grooves of a record and the community it inspires.”
Hope Chávez, executive director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven adds, “Grails will serve our arts ecosystem by promoting local musicians, curating high-value events and experiences, and giving back to the artists and institutions that make us the cultural capital of Connecticut.”
This legacy and commitment to community is also demonstrated by the Grails Scholars Program, which funds need-based, tuition-free music education for New Haven Public School students in partnership with the Neighborhood Music School. Customers can contribute directly through a donation round-up program, with Grails matching every gift to double the impact. “The Grails Scholars Program ensures that joy and opportunity are passed onto the next generation,” Kenney adds.
To step foot into Grails is to enter a little oasis where the warmth and passion of the founder are palatable. When third places like coffee shops have a barrier to entry - you are usually required to buy something to stay — record stores are inherently inclusive, allowing any and all to enter and explore, as long as they bring a good attitude. Grails prioritizes community over transactions, while still creating a sustainable creative ecosystem and a music-filled legacy that will stand the test of time.