by Kristine Pascual | Special to the Courier

DBZ Books ‘N’ Records celebrated its grand opening last week with a ribbon cutting and free concert at the former YMCA building, recently refurbished and rebranded as The Union, at 350 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.

The event also included free drinks from Gud2Go Cafe, a skateboard giveaway from Pawnshop Skate Co., and a raffle.

Husband and wife owners of DBZ Books and Records Dilver and Karen Lizama at the June 25 grand opening of their Pomona location. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Plans for the new Pomona location came about suddenly, shortly after owner Dilver Lizama toured the architecturally significant 1922 YMCA structure.

“We thought, ‘Oh my God, this is a beautiful building,’” Lizama said. “There’s so much going on here. We could definitely bring a little bit of DBZ into Pomona. It felt like the right place, right moment.”

DBZ’s first location, in Corona, opened in 2016 as a mail order and by appointment retail business. A storefront opened in 2022.

Lizama said he’s hoping to build on DBZ’s loyal customer base in Pomona.

“A lot of my current friends I met through the bookstore register,” Lizama said. “It’s more than a transaction; we try to make friends with our customers.”

Many of those customers made the drive from Corona to the grand opening in Pomona to show support for Lizama’s new venture.

DBZ carries a variety of genres, and a large selection of alternative rock, reflecting the music Lizama grew up listening to, including artists such as No Doubt and 311. Pomona’s downtown arts district is home to goth themed events such as the Goth Mall pop up, which features spooky small businesses, artists, and creatives, and Lizama has already noticed DBZ Pomona patrons have their own distinct music tastes, with many customers searching for goth records from bands such as The Cure.

Lou Guzman, at left, looks through the inventory at DBZ books and records in Pomona on June 25. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Rather than stocking only bestselling books or chart-topping albums, DBZ’s inventory is heavily influenced by conversations with customers.

“We cater to our customer base,” Lizama said. “Every time someone comes in, we ask, ‘What is it that you like? What do you want us to bring?’ That’s how we build our selection.”

That community centered mindset extends beyond DBZ’s sales and products.

One of Lizama’s primary goals for the Pomona location’s first year is getting to know his  customers and creating a welcoming gathering space, just as he did in Corona, where DBZ regularly hosts listening parties where customers are encouraged to come together to hear new albums and connect with fellow fans.

Those events have become one of DBZ’s biggest strengths in developing customer retention, and Lizama said he hopes to establish that same positive energy in Pomona.

The Pomona location has also been approved as an official Record Store Day retailer, allowing the shop to carry exclusive RSD vinyl releases. Even as streaming services and digital apps continue to dominate, Lizama believes physical media offers something technology can never replace.

“It matters because it’s something you’re actually going to own, something you can physically touch,” he said.

(L-R) Fans Lilly Baca and Sophie Brown react as One’s Own Haven performs at the June 25 grand opening of DBZ Books and Records in Pomona. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

One’s Own Haven perform at the June 25 grand opening of DBZ Books and Records in Pomona. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

For the growing vinyl enthusiast market, that experience begins the moment a record is taken out of its sleeve.

“There’s so many emotions involved when you get to touch something versus on your phone where everything is accessible,” Lizama said. “You drop the needle and listen to the record. It’s not just a transaction; it’s a whole experience.”

DBZ Books ‘N’ Records is at 350 N. Garey Ave., Unit 203, Pomona, CA 91767. More information is at dbzbooks.com.