Dan Cafaro has long been obsessed with music. Like most Gen Xers, in junior high and high schools, he made mix tapes for girls. Now he’s sharing music differently with Atticus Music at 12625 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Suite 104, at Plaza Fountainside in Fountain Hills. The store complements Atticus Books at Suite 111 around the building in the same plaza.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS: The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026

WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE: The Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate for 2026

“In the last four years, I’ve been exploring the idea of expansion because of the limited size of Suite 111,” he said about the bookstore. “When I discovered Suite 104 was becoming vacant in front of the same building, Plaza Fountainside, I decided to jump on it.”

Cafaro’s tastes run wide — rock roots, deep Americana, jazz, blues, R&B and soul — and he’s determined to make the shop as eclectic as possible. He knows customers will always ask for Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, even in 2026, but he’s just as excited to stock 10 Steve Earle albums or rare Genesis broadcasts once considered bootlegs.

His young employees and customers keep him honest about what counts as “modern,” reminding him that bands he still thinks of as new — Bright Eyes, The Jayhawks and Death Cab for Cutie — are now decades old.

“I think there was a gap for me in my knowledge,” Cafaro admitted. “I’m not as up on modern music as I thought.”

The rediscovery of vinyl is part of the joy. A customer recently came in asking for Queen, and Cafaro handed him “The Game.” The customer lit up.

“This was the first album I owned,” he told him, with the customer saying he hadn’t spun a record in 30 years. Cafaro knows the feeling. He drifted from vinyl like most people, moving to CDs and streaming, until his son Shawn encouraged him to add records to the bookstore. Passion took over.

“I just said, ‘Yeah, screw it, let’s do it.’”

Tucked in the back of Atticus Music is a 35-person capacity Listening Room, featuring intimate concerts. Next up is Darlene Koldenhoven, who will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Koldenhoven is known for her work with Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart and Neil Young, along with her appearance in “Sister Act.”

“As a Grammy Award-winning artist, she was a ‘get’ for our tiny desk concert-like venue,” Cafaro said. “We thought her storytelling and piano playing would be a superb combination for the room.”

The idea for Atticus Music didn’t come from business logic. Vinyl made a comeback and began overtaking the bookstore, crowding out event space. Instead of choosing between books and records, Cafaro now runs both.

“Atticus Music helps provide visibility for Atticus Books, which is more of a destination location,” Cafaro said. “The record bins and our growing vinyl selection also were encroaching on the books. While records began as a definite sideline, the enthusiasm of our music patrons emboldened me to attempt the challenge of opening a standalone record shop and listening room in Fountain Hills.”

Cafaro digs deep for his merchandise — Fender guitars for kids, music‑themed books, graphic novels and puzzles. His latest newsletter celebrated America’s 250th by spotlighting American musical artists. He started with one volume and quickly realized he could fill 12.

“It’s so easy to just — oh, what about Louis Armstrong? What about Ella Fitzgerald? We haven’t even scratched the surface.”

While the shop is far from lacking in rock, jazz and blues standards, the ultimate curating challenge is appealing to all generations.

“Whether it’s discovering a new band or a new artist through patron recommendations or musical artists who perform here, we’re serious about expanding everyone’s musical horizons. Our goal is to be a go-to source for people seeking a unique entertainment experience in the Valley.”