The owner of a small business is taking his love of music to the next step, by moving up from the back of another business to his own storefront in Downtown Tiffin.

Jacob Wheeler, a Tiffin native and graduate of Columbian High School, had been selling records in the back of Line Drive since July, but plans to soon open his own underground record store, Under the Surface, in October at 16 E. Market St. The store will specialize in independent label releases and demos.

Wheeler said his friends from high school introduced him to music, and they then in turn spent time bringing bands into Tiffin in his youth. He wants to have a way to reach youth about this genre and style of music.

“I love being in Downtown Tiffin and wanted to give people a reason to stay here and appreciate the strong sense of community in this town. I’m excited to be able to expand my offerings and have a home here in Tiffin for independent and underground music,” Wheeler said.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented, “Congratulations to Jacob Wheeler on expanding his business to a storefront in Downtown. I’m excited to see people investing in our community.”

For more information, call (567) 268-9278 or email underthesurfacerecords@gmail.com.