Exploring Lou Curtiss’ Whimsical Collection at Folk Arts Rare Records

For those who spent quality time at Lou Curtiss’ Folk Arts Rare Records on Adams Avenue, a frequent scenario would occur. In conversation, Lou would talk about an amazing album he didn’t currently have in stock. But he would often go into his back room and come back to play his personal copy for the curious customer. It wasn’t for sale at that time, but the music was always phenomenal.

We are delighted to announce that Folk Arts has acquired the personal record collection of the late, great Lou Curtiss, and we are slowly stocking these items in our spaces to be sold to the intrigued public. We are designating these items with stickers that read “Lou Curtiss’ Whimsical Collection: The Owner of Folk Arts Rare Records for 47 Years,” made by our City Heights neighbors at Inscriptu.

Brendan Boyle, owner of Folk Arts Rare Records. Photo by Liz Abbott.

The process of stocking these unique items will likely take a year or two, along with the work on many other prominent collections we have acquired at Folk Arts Rare Records, of all musical styles and formats. This includes the vast and impressive personal CD collection of renowned music biographer/author John Szwed.

We’ve been working hard to prepare for the busy holiday shopping season at both of our locations: our flagship spot at 3610 University Ave and our evening store located inside of Part Time Lover Hi-Fi (3829 30th St.), a highly unique listening bar space, where we help to curate guest DJ selectors seven nights a week. We’ll be open for business every day for the rest of the year and will only be closed on Christmas day. Folk Arts is also a dedicated drop off spot for canned food donations to Feeding San Diego.

This is just the beginning of all of these exciting projects and then some, as we prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Folk Arts Rare Records in 2027.