Meet Lance Barresi | Owner of Permanent Records and the Permanent Records’ Roadhouse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lance Barresi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lance, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting Permanent Records was simple…I wanted to own my own record store. I had no grand plans of major success. I was 24 years old and I was stoked on vinyl records and I thought I wanted to buy and sell them for a living. I was confident that I would figure out a way to stay in business because I’m a firm believer in the “If there’s a will, there’s a way” idiom. I have a strong will and I found a way through hard work, determination, and dedication. I’ve had a lot of help along the way, but I’m the only one who’s been here since the beginning. Permanent Records started as an small independent record store in Chicago and now the Permanent Records’ Roadhouse is the first record store / bar / live music venue of it’s kind in Los Angeles. It’s been a long, strange (and FUN) trip, to say the least.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Permanent Records’ Roadhouse is different from any other place in LA because it combines three of the best things in the world…records, live music, and booze! We are the first and only live music venue / bar / record store in Los Angeles! I’m very proud of what we do and what we have to offer our community on a daily basis. Where else in LA can you dig for records during a show, all while sipping a craft beer or delicious house cocktail? If that’s not exciting, I don’t know what is!

I come from a very modest, suburban Midwestern background. I’m a self-starter. I started my business with my own funds, my own record collection, and a tiny loan from a Chicago bank which I paid off almost immediately. My path was not easy, but it has been extremely fun and interesting. It’s been tough at times, but there’s nothing more rewarding than overcoming adversity. That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned along the way…life’s all about the journey. No one actually knows where the journey ends, so it has to be that way. Just when you think you can see the finish line, the racetrack morphs. Those of us that can adapt to the changes survive and our character benefits from our adaptation.

I’ve learned many lessons along the way, but the most important one is one that I’ve known since Kindergarten. It’s the Golden Rule…treat others like you want to be treated. It’s that simple. If you follow that advice, life will become much easier and enjoyable for you and those around you. For example, when you roll up to a stop sign at the same time as someone else, let them go first. Trust me, it won’t delay your arrival time to your destination and it’ll make you and the other person feel good.

I want the world to know that the Permanent Records’ Roadhouse is owned by one person, but it doesn’t exist for me. It exists for all of us. It’s here for your enjoyment and your support is the only thing that will keep it here. Another thing I’ve learned along the way is that I like helping other people have a good time as much or more than having a good time myself. The beauty of the Roadhouse is that we all get to have fun simultaneously in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment! And we’re literally surrounded by music all day, everyday!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends and family visit LA, the first thing I do is take them to the beach! Malibu, Santa Monica, Redondo, the list goes on. LA has so many amazing beaches it’s easy to take them for granted…so don’t!

Hiking is also huge in LA. I live in Northeast LA, so I end up hiking in Ernest Debs Park most often, but there are an almost infinite amount of hills and mountains to hike in. The wildlife is beautiful, the vistas are incredible, and the weather is perfect for it…so get out there and hike!

Town Pizza and Cacao are two of my favorite NELA restaurants, but if you’re at the Permanent Records’ Roadhouse, you have to also try Salvamex! It’s a Salvadorean / Mexican joint right next door and you can bring your food next door to enjoy it with one of our tasty house cocktails!

In my opinon (and I know I’m a little biased), the most fun, interesting and exciting people hang out at the Roadhouse! You could spend every night of the week at the Roadhouse and experience something different every night! Here’s what a recent week at the Roadhouse looked like: Jazz on Wednesday. Comedy on Thursday, Punk on Friday. Electronic music on Saturday. Indie Rock on Sunday. And a Music Trivia Happy Hour before one of the shows. You can shop for records anytime we’re open as well! Who could ask for anything more?!?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to the Permanent Records’ Roadhouse staff! I love and appreciate each and every one of these fine people. They are the sweetest, most thoughtful, and hard-working crew in the universe. Anyone who’s ever been to Roadhouse knows exactly what I’m talking about!

Website: PermanentRecordsLA.com

Instagram: @permanentrecordsla

Twitter: @permanentrecordsla

Facebook: @permanentrecordsla

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/permanent-records-los-angeles-3

Other: @permanentrecordsroadhouse