“We want people to feel like they’re coming into our home,” owner Chris Kraish tells me. It’s not your typical coffee and record store. The Spin, right on the Collin County border on Preston Road, catty-corner to the Shelton School, is a cozy, lived-in space where vinyl stacks and espresso shots have found a natural harmony. Kraish laughs. “It’s almost like the coffee and records just fell together here. We didn’t go in with a grand plan — it just grew organically.”

Kraish’s father, Nassif Kraish, had sold his businesses, including a hookah lounge and an antique store. “I told my dad, ‘Don’t sell the records,’” he says, recalling their initial vision of setting up shop to unload their vast, valuable collection. “We’d talked about just renting a place and setting up like a pop-up — maybe throw in a drip coffee machine, sell a few $2 cups. No big deal.” But it quickly became more. “Next thing I know, we’ve got an espresso machine and we’re learning how to make all the fancy lattes,” he laughs. “It went from casual coffee to, well, I guess we’re running a full coffee shop now.”
Kraish has been collecting records since he was 14. “Anyone who’s into records dreams of opening a record store,” he says. He started as a hobbyist, building his collection over the years and eventually merging his passion for vinyl with his dad’s sense of business. The record selection is eclectic, leaning toward popular and accessible artists. “People come in, browse for hours, sometimes leave with nothing — that’s just how record stores work,” Kraish notes.
“We wanted a place where you could grab a coffee, browse and just hang out," Kraish says.
He recalls working through stacks of records, pricing them and designing a layout that felt right. “COVID gave us time to really think through the store layout and curate our selection. We ended up doing a soft open in late 2020, then really opened in January of 2021.”
The shop quickly became a magnet for coffee drinkers and record lovers alike. “About 70 percent come for the coffee,” he says. “Of those, around 30 percent leave with a record. Some come just for the records, but they’ll grab a coffee while they browse.” Kraish explains that this combination felt natural. “I grew up going to places like Half Price Books and grabbing a coffee while I browsed. For me, a coffee and a record store just made sense.”
Beyond the usual coffee offerings, the shop boasts a quirky drink menu crafted by Kraish himself. “A lot of what we do here is weird stuff, and that’s what I love. We’ve got drinks with Topo Chico, with Coca-Cola — like our ‘cafe cola’ — and even wild flavors that give you something you can’t find at other coffee spots. It’s like treating espresso like a shot, pretending we’re bartenders. We’re definitely not about playing it safe.” Which brings us to the cereal bar: Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, Kix and more in self-serve, continental breakfast-style dispensers. “It was my dad’s idea,” he says. “It really works out for younger families with young children, for students, for me, almost every morning.”
Kraish is clear about one thing: his shop has none of the elitism associated with high-end coffee or record stores. “We don’t want people feeling like they have to take a master class to order here,” he says. “No matter what you drink or what you listen to, you’re welcome.” He laughs. “The stereotype of a record store is condescension, right? Like in the movies, where the record clerk judges your taste. That’s fun on-screen, but it’s not what we want here. We’re more of a ‘come as you are’ kind of place.”

Supporting local businesses is central to The Spin’s ethos. The shop sources its beans from Addison Coffee Roasters, its pastries from La Casita Bakeshop and its cookies from Faith’s Cookies. “If I’m paying someone, why not them instead of some big brand?” Kraish explains. “We’ve been with Addison Coffee since we started. They even made a custom blend for us — the ‘Spin blend.’ It’s a bit darker than your typical espresso bean, which they thought was crazy, but it’s perfect for us.” Kraish also notes that the shop doesn’t do a ton of advertising because “keeping that hidden gem feel is a real part of the experience for us.”
A second The Spin Coffee and Vinyl has opened in San Antonio, complete with classic records, brewed coffee, a cereal bar and a patio. “My dad just missed the social aspect, the welcome-to-my-zone vibe,” says Kraish. “When my mom started traveling for work between Dallas and San Antonio, he just saw an opportunity.” Kraish is focused on keeping things running smoothly here in North Texas.

No matter which location you stumble upon, The Spin Coffee and Vinyl is a testament to the idea that a business can be much more than just its transactions; it can be a gathering place, a shared experience and, most importantly, a home away from home for anyone who walks through the door. And The Spin absolutely takes requests.
This story originally appeared in the Jan./Feb. 2025 issue of Local Profile. To subscribe, click here.
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