A Decade of Rock & Retro: Matt’s Media Outlet Turns 10

This February, Matt's Media Outlet at 26 Trites Road is celebrating 10 years of business in Riverview, a milestone that reflects passion, perseverance, and a deep love for retro rock and roll culture.

For owner Matt McAllister, the journey began with a simple but powerful idea. “It came from wanting to be a business owner and doing something that was more fun and didn’t feel like a typical job,” Matt shares. “Even though running a buy-trade-sell business takes a lot of effort, my wife Angela and I truly enjoy what we do so it never feels like just work.”

Matt also wanted to create the kind of shop he wished existed when he was a teenager. A place where music, nostalgia, and pop culture came together under one roof.

Today, Matt’s Media Outlet is known as a vintage retro rock-and-roll pop culture shop, offering mostly used guitars, amps, stereo gear like record players and CD players, and physical media including CDs, cassettes, records, and video games. The shop also carries a wide selection of band t-shirts, a favourite among music lovers of all ages.

Over the past decade, Matt has seen the media landscape shift and circle back. “The media is stronger now than it was 10 years ago,” he says, noting the comeback of vinyl records and continued demand for physical media. The store has also expanded beyond music, now offering furniture, appliances, kids’ toys, puzzles, and board games, along with pick-up and delivery services.

Community support has been key to their success. “Six months ago, we had someone come into the store who lived in Riverview all their lives and didn’t know about us,” Matt says. “Once they know about us, they keep coming back.” As Riverview continues to grow, so does the store’s customer base. Angela notes, “Riverview is a great place to run a business. We have more people living in Riverview and we’re seeing that growth around us.”

What’s next for Matt’s Media Outlet? “We’re actually expanding… more news to come,” Matt hints. After 10 years of steady growth and adaptation, it’s clear they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

To celebrate their milestone, they will be hosting a two-day Anniversary Sale on February 21 and 22, offering 30% off almost everything in the store (excluding selected consigned guitars). Doors are open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.