Every first-year Dartmouth student inevitably runs late to a Molly’s dinner by discovering the records store on Main Street. Time easily flies by as they get lost in the various pop artist prints, Dr. Seuss stickers and old 90s records. The rpmNH Records and Posters store’s owner is a man who wears many hats: storyteller, geologist, artist and longtime resident of Hanover, Brian Smith.
The shop initially started off selling hundreds of DVDs weekly in the fall of 2003. By 2010, DVD and CD sales were dropping, which led Smith to expand to selling records and posters. He has designed items unique to the store, such as making the “Welcome” signs for every incoming class to display in local town shops. As a result of recent leasing changes, Smith has since moved his shop towards the back of the same building.
The store is stocked with vintage items courtesy of Dartmouth alumni. Smith said he also frequently stays at the shop late to scour for artwork imported from overseas.
“I’m looking all over the world,” Smith said.
He is staunchly committed to the caliber of his products at rpmNH. He uses the record player behind the counter to ensure the quality of each new record and has many boxes of them in the lobby for anyone to take and use.
“Retail cannot survive unless it stands behind what it sells,” Smith said.
However, providing a diverse, engaging inventory is not without its challenges, according to Smith. With the growing popularity and ease of online shopping, students don’t always go into town, he said. Plus, as importation prices rise due to tariffs, many beloved works of overseas artists become no longer available, he added.
“I had this lovely artist from New Zealand that when tariffs kicked in, she sent me an email. ‘I'm sorry, Brian, it's a 50% tariff. I can’t [continue to import],” he said. “And I said, ‘until things change, I just won’t be able to buy anything from you.”
Though Smith said he has traveled around the world, he has a special fondness for this town — his hometown — and its students.
“I knew, even as a kid, this was a special place,” he said. “I’ve now been to 92 countries, and I know I could retire anywhere. I came back here.”
In deciding to run the store, Smith refused to sit still in retirement. He said he loves getting to know visitors to the store — and frequently reminds students to build their interpersonal skills, to sit down with someone over coffee and take the time to learn about their experiences.
“One of the highlights for me is meeting the students,” he said.
Even though Smith isn’t an alum himself, many members of his family are — an essential and beloved part of his childhood and life. Through knowing many Dartmouth students over the years, he believes that whatever background you are from, students are united in their love of Dartmouth.
Smith prides himself on the uniqueness of his store’s inventory integrated with the Dartmouth themes and community. Whether it be the Dr. Seuss themed artwork or original campus event posters, he enjoys encouraging more of the human connections he finds joy in.
Despite the location change from the storefront on 53 South Main St. to the inner lobby in the same plaza, Smith believes that the store will still deliver the same experience it has always been known for, with the same inventory and the same friendly face.
