New Dana Point record store makes a splash on the music scene
By Victor Carno
Ian McGregor, owner of McGreatDeals Records, sifts through albums as he contemplates which one he should play next. Photo by Victor Carno
A growing hub for local music lovers, McGreatDeals Records has certainly made a name for itself in Dana Point, since opening in July.
Owner Ian McGregor—a San Clemente local—worked as a bartender at a succession of restaurants including, Fratello’s and The Roof Top.
Needless to say, McGregor is a real people person and will simultaneously talk your ear off, while he makes you feel like his old college roommate the minute you walk through his door.
We recently caught up with McGregor to find out more about his passion turned business.
McGregor started collecting records when he was 12 years old and never really saw it as a business avenue, until he noticed his house space shrinking as his collection grew.
He made a quick buck selling a large CD collection—in order to gain back some living space. This energized him to open an Ebay store account, where he started buying and selling records online as a side project while bartending at Fratello’s.
After years of conducting business online, he decided to turn his hobby into a career and set out to find a store with a front door. He set up camp in a former nail salon in Dana Point Plaza and McGreatDeals, at 34102 La Plaza, was born.
Where did that name come from, you ask? His last name is McGregor, and the rest you can probably piece together.
As for his collection, it’s a mix of a little bit of everything to suit musical tastes. No really, you can pick up a Metallica, Neil Diamond and Herb Alpert record all in the same transaction and not be judged for it.
Aside from the great selection, McGreatDeals is a fun place to shop. Being a non-genre specific store, you can run into diverse music fans and the conversation never runs dry.
