A car crashing into their record store on New Year’s Day was the last thing Mallory McClaire and Chantala Kommanivanh expected. But the husband-and-wife team was determined not to let the accident end a business they had worked hard to build in the Beverly neighborhood.
Nearly a year later, the owners of Beverly Phono Mart celebrated a new beginning with the grand opening of their permanent location at 1802 W. 103rd St. Saturday, Nov. 7.
The new shop was just three doors down from their original location at 1808 W. 103rd St., where the couple had opened Beverly Phono Mart, also known as BPM, in August 2021.
The idea for the business had come during the pandemic. McClaire and Kommanivanh often drove to record stores in other communities, only to find many of them closed. They realized there were probably other people in Beverly and Morgan Park looking for a place to shop for records, and decided to open one themselves.
Both proud Beverly residents, the couple wanted to create more than a place to buy music. They envisioned a neighborhood shop where people could stop in, browse, talk about their favorite artists and spend time with others who shared their interests.
That vision took an unexpected turn on Jan. 1, 2026, when a vehicle crashed into their building, forcing them to leave their original storefront.
Rather than walk away from the business, McClaire and Kommanivanh moved into a temporary space at 1802 W. 103rd St. The location was only three doors away, allowing them to remain in the neighborhood and continue serving the customers who had supported them since opening day.
The temporary space eventually became a permanent home. The couple decided to stay and closed the shop in October to renovate the building and expand the sales floor.
“We are excited to be back,” McClaire said. “We are back to business as usual and it feels great.”
The grand reopening celebration included music, drinks from Marz Community Brewing, vinyl shopping and the store’s signature jukebox. Customers also had an opportunity to see the expanded space and check out the renovations.
Inside, Beverly Phono Mart had developed a personality all its own. Colorful artwork, global snacks and comfortable seating gave the shop a relaxed atmosphere. It was a place where customers could spend time searching for an old favorite or discovering something new.
Hip-hop and R&B were among the store’s best-selling genres, followed by pop and rock. The shop had also attracted a loyal group of regular customers who appreciated having an independent record store in their neighborhood.
Music had always been a big part of the couple’s lives. Kommanivanh grew up listening to pop and hip-hop and later produced music for a rap group called Maintenance Crew from 2004 to 2013. McClaire grew up listening to the soul and jazz records her father enjoyed. Their shared interest in music helped inspire the business and continued to shape the store.
The grand reopening also gave the couple a chance to celebrate five years in business. Beverly Phono Mart had officially marked its anniversary in August, but the disruption caused by the accident and move had prevented them from celebrating at the time.
“We had our five year anniversary in August, but we did not have the chance to celebrate,” McClaire said. “Today marks a day we are able to celebrate both — our grand reopening and our anniversary. It really means so much to us.”
The owners were looking forward to getting back into their regular routine and preparing for the busy holiday shopping season. Record Store Day and Small Business Saturday were among the upcoming events they were especially looking forward to.
“We are really looking to Record Store Day and Small Business Saturday in the coming weeks,” McClaire said.
Beverly Phono Mart’s regular hours were Wednesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
