Just
one year ago Red Light Books started off as one of the new stores to
open up along the Broadway Strip. Replacing a dead storefront
area of downtown that once used to be half of a antique dish store.
Ever wonder where your grandma used to get her plates that would have
that decorative blue trim? That's where. When the store
went bankrupt and left, Red Light moved on in.
--- One year
later business is good, in-store shows are frequent, and the future
for the place looks brighter than ever in that lovely shade of
red. Did I mention the yellow carpet is gone? Pretty
good for a bookstore that sells mostly alternative
literature in a conservative environment. By opening up to
the underground culture as opposed to trying to fit the
standard, Red Light has turned itself into a local cultural hub
that shows no signs of stopping. And that's just after one
year. I went in and snapped some photos and asked some
quick questions for store co-owner Tia Martinez about the store one
year later.
Tia
Martinez
http://www.myspace.com/redlightbooks
Gavin:
How does it feel hitting the one
year mark?
Tia:
I am amazed at all the support from the underground community in
SLC. I am blessed, this is hopefully one of many more years to
come.
Gavin: For those who don't know the full story,
tell us how Red Light Books came about.
Tia:
Me being stubborn and Jared unconditional support and love for
me.
Gavin: Fair enough. What kind of literature do you
normally sell?
Tia: Shit! Just kidding. Graffiti books, gay comics and limited edition
books. We also sell a lot of underground music punk, metal, noise and
folk.
Gavin: Was it difficult opening this kind of
book store in this type of conservative environment.
Tia:
I guess. When I opened the store I thought that everyone was very
much like me, a nerdy junk collector. So, I guess just the realized
that not everyone is like that and to think about how weird I might
be.
Gavin: How has the city treated you?
Tia:
The cops are awesome!
Gavin: Have you gotten any
flack from people who wouldn't normally visit your store?
Tia:
Sometimes, not really, at least not to my face. Maybe because
they know that all punch them.
Gavin: What are some of
the changes the store has gone through since the opening one year
ago.
Tia:
No Carpet! Yeah!!! No carpet!
Gavin: What's been
the reaction to being involved with Gallery Stroll?
Tia:
Dead Babies was awesome!!
Gavin: What's your
opinion on the local art scene?
Tia:
It sucks! I think that's very hard to break in to SLC art scene.
Stores or galleries think that if you show the same local artist it's
better biz, but I think that having new artist is more
applying.
Gavin: How have the concerts gone for you?
Tia:
Good, good, good, bad, good, good, bad, bad, good, and
good.
Gavin: What's your opinion on the local music
scene right now?
Tia:
I think that we have the best noise scene, I also love the punk
D.I.Y. scene too!
Gavin: Are there any plans to expand
beyond what you're doing now?
Tia:
Holy crap, no! I can barely keep myself and family sane, but by
the time I am doing really good I'll start something new that's how I
work.
Gavin: Any music or books you'd like to
recommend?
Tia:
Red Light Sound, which is our label, anything off that. Books...
anything in 3D.
Gavin: Any thoughts on the next year
ahead?
Tia:
Just trying to expand our stock.