Shawn Cephas, the youngest of five, grew up behind the counter in a Philadelphia record store. His father, a musician, and businessman opened King James Sound Center in 1967, writes Tony Romeo for PHL 17.  

The record store was run by Cephas’ mother Mary, his father James, and his eldest sibling. In 2018, Cephas decided to continue the family legacy and get behind the counter again.

Along with his wife, Anna, Cephas opened an old school shop, Forever Changes Records, in downtown Phoenixville in 2021. His goal is to make it a very welcoming place, or as he describes it “a record store for everyone.”  

Cephas said he enjoys when people ask questions, specifically about jazz, his genre of expertise.  

“People have said that it’s a very welcoming place and it has just opened up a lot of conversations that aren’t even about music itself” he said.  

The store has pieces by local artists decorated along the walls. In addition, Forever Changes also buys records and sells collectibles.  

Read more about the Phoenixville record store at PHL 17.

A short film about Forever Changes Music & Gifts.