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Ryland Huntley Radiolounge
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A stylish Art Deco environment
that showcased the very latest radios, hi-fi equipment, and records |
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Ruth Wilkinson photo courtesy Oak Bay Archives
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2012-001-002
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Showroom
(1948)
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Radios and hi-fi sets elegantly displayed
in a pre-television world |
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Click on image to view enlargement
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In 1947, the old blackberry pit running alongside Oak Bay Theatre succumbed to an elongated, one-storey commercial building with six retail addresses: two on Oak Bay Avenue and four on Wilmot Place.
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| In 1948, all but one of these spaces had been leased with Ryland Huntley Radiolounge occupying the premium address at 2180 Oak Bay Avenue.1 | |
Years before the advent of television. the Radiolounge presented elegant displays of radios, turntables and hi-fi sets in an Art Deco environment. The retail area was considered a lounge. |
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| Not much changed until the mid-1960s, when television became the dominant form of home entertanment. | |
| Radios, turntables and high-fi sets were quickly becoming passé and, not wanting to become just another tv store,2 the Ragiolounge placed more emphasis on record sales, particularly classical music. In addition to record sales, service extended to the rental of long-play recordings. | |
| in 1966 the name was changed to Ryland Huntley Recordlounge and classical music aficionado, Shirley Harper, was employed to assist customers with their selections. Two private listening booths helped with their decisions. | |
| In 1969 the name was changed to Ryland Huntley Record Lounge, or more informally, the Record Lounge, as a niche was established — classical music for an upscale community. | |
| Ryland Huntley Record Lounge continued until 1974, at which time Mr Huntley retired. | |
| This remarkable space was subsequently leased to the Dogwood Gift Shoppe. | |
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| 1 The space at 1503 Wilmot Place was not leased through 1950. In 1951 Ryland Huntley Radiolounge leased this space for one year to gain a side entrance. Vacant again for another three years, this space was leased in 1954 for a chiropractic office. | |
| 2 There was no such thing as "high-end" television sets as there was with radios, turntables and hi-fi sets. | |
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PHOTOGRAPHS
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Carole Wooton photo
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Oak Bay Archives 2012-001-001
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Record Department
(1948)
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Two listening booths offered private critiquing of the
latest Classical and Popular recordings |
Do you have any photos of Ryland Huntley Radiolounge?
If yes, please specify in the form below
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ARTIFACTS
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M.Sc., A.I.C
VICTOR, COLUMBIA & LONDON RECORDS Classical & Popular, In a Delightful Modern Store "Radiolounge" 2180 Oak Bay . . . G arden--5412 |
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M.Sc., A.I.C
Specializing in Long-Play Records of All Makes Classical & Popular (Also 78 and 45 R.P.M.) 2180 Oak Bay Avenue . . . . . . . . . 4-5412 |
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M.Sc., A.I.C - TAPE RECORDERS FOR RENTAL AND
SALE - RCA VICTOR, AMPRO AND CRESCENT LONG PLAY RECORDS FOR RENTAL AND SALE 2180 Oak Bay Avenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5412 |
Do you have any artifacts related to Ryland Huntley Radiolounge?
NEWSPAPER AD, SALES RECEIPT, ETC
If yes, please share them by using the form below
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RECOLLECTIONS
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Recollections may be abridged for length and/or clarity
| A block of stores was built on the old blackberry pit at the corner of Oak Bay Avenue and Wilmot in 1946, next to the Oak Bay Theatre. The main portion was occupied by Ryland Huntley's Radiolounge for many years. He sold radios and phonographs along with a large assortment of records. He had two listening booths where you could play a sample record. |
| — Richard Goodall, OBHS class of 1960 |
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| On the corner of Oak Bay Avenue and Wilmot Place in the '50s. You could listen to music in, I think, little booths in the store. |
| — Erica Fowles |
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| I started to dabble with the guitar and write a bit of music about 1960. My first experience with a tape recorder was a rental from Ryland Huntley Radiolounge. I wasn't aware of any other place in town where a seventeen-year-old kid could rent a tape recorder. It was a pretty big deal at the time. |
| I remember being a little apprehensive because I had never been to this store before, so they didn't know me. I remember going in, requesting the loan of a tape recorder, and them looking me over. They asked a few questions, but it wasn't a done deal until I brilliantly remembered that I was a server (altar boy) at St Philip's Church. That clinched the deal and I got my first taste of recording — something I continue to dabble with to this very day. |
| — Gary Wilcox, OBHS class of 1960 |
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| My mother, Shirlry Harper, was employed by Mr Huntley as a sales clerk at the Record Lounge for several years. I can't recall the exact dates but I think it was from 1966 to when Mr Huntley finally retired and closed the store, sometime around 1974. | ||||
| My mother was quite a knowledgeable fan of classical music and this helped her get the job. I recall she had a good collection of fine vinyl recordings that she acquired through the store, employees getting a discount! | ||||
| I was only a teenager at the time but I recall Mr Huntley as a kind man who used to bring my mother gifts of vegetables from his garden for years after his retirement. | ||||
| — Roger Harper, son of Record Lounge employee, Shirley Harper |
Do you have any recollections of Ryland Huntley Radiolounge?
If yes, please share them by using the form below
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SUBMISSIONS
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Do you have any
photos, artifacts or recollections of Ryland Huntley Radiolounge? |
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You can email us, with attachments if available |
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OR
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You can use the Online Submission Form, below
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Thank You!
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