Melodies and Memories’ original storefront on 12 Mile and Hayes.
Eastpointe's celebrated mom-and-pop music store opened its doors on this day in 1988
By Dave Mesrey
It was April Fools Day 1988, and Dan and Denise Zieja were about to realize their dream: a mom-and-pop record store to showcase their colossal collection of vinyl records.
Danny Z. behind the counter in the early days.
In a nondescript strip mall in the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan, this unassuming, but dynamic duo quietly opened the doors to Melodies & Memories for the first time. There on a solitary stretch of 12 Mile Road, the Ziejas soon forged a bond with their diverse clientele.
And with a newborn daughter just a few months old, everything to them was new.
“It really was a family affair,” Denise says.
Melodies & Memories quickly outgrew their space, and in 1994 the Ziejas headed east to put down their musical roots on Gratiot Avenue. They’ve been there ever since.
Today, the old-school couple and their decidedly new-school daughter, Amanda, who's been there since Day One, still sling plenty of vinyl and pop culture collectibles. But they also manage to bridge generations and musical communities throughout metro Detroit.
It’s the little mom-and-pop store that could.
“I’m endlessly inspired by the foundation my parents have laid for possibilities to honor Detroit’s rich music history,” Amanda says. “Now it’s Melodies & Memories, the remix.”
Recently inspired by longtime customer Jason Hall of RiDetroit, Amanda has harnessed the power of Instagram to help expose Melodies & Memories to a wider audience.
Last month, she and her father, affectionately known as "Danny Z," ventured out to Detroit’s Marble Bar for an event billed as Dillatroit, to support longtime customers Uncle Herm and DJ Butter of Crazy Noise Productions.
Uncle Herm, Danny Z., Amanda Zieja, and Dilla's mom, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey.
(Photo by Dan Charnas. Author of The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop.)
D.J. King David, O.C., and DJ Butter outside Marble Bar at Dillatroit.
“DJ Butter teamed up with us last year for a great in-store event,” Amanda says, “so when he dreamed up another vision, we were absolutely on board to make it happen. The love for Dilla runs deep. It unites people, inspires them.”
So this year for Record Store Day on April 13, anyone with a few Dilla beats pumping through their veins is invited to come out and celebrate his legacy at Melodies & Memories.
“Dilla walked these aisles,” Amanda says. “He used to sit here for hours and curate stacks of vinyl to feed his imagination. As a hip-hop head myself, I find that inspiring.”
Today the Ziejas find inspiration in Jaydee’s Uncle Herm, the man behind Dilla’s Delights who carries on his nephew’s legacy today. With Herm’s blessing and, of course, dozens of delicious Dilla’s donuts, Melodies & Memories is ready to pay homage to the legendary beatmaker on Record Store Day.
“Dilla had a gift meant to be shared,” Amanda says. "We’re honored to help keep his spirit alive.”
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Melodies & Memories opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 13 for Record Store Day exclusives. The Dilla celebration begins at noon, featuring a Dilla’s Delights pop-up and special guest Uncle Herm and some of Dilla’s musical family. Sounds by DJ Butter and DJ King David. Photo opportunity in front of the shop at 5 p.m. (Don’t miss it!)
Melodies & Memories
23013 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpointe, MI 48021
Instagram: @melodiesandmemoriesrecordshop
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