MANCHESTER — Owner Richard Gesner is celebrating 25 years in business this month at The Music Connection, 1711 S. Willow St., where he offers used CDs, vinyl records and audio equipment.

The Music Connection is the successor to his original Manchester Manchester store, which was opened downtown on Manchester Street in June 1987.

He changed the name Oct. 1, 1996.

“I enjoy it very much because so many great people come in the shop,” Gesner, who is still working at age 80, said. “Of course I’m not doing the business I did in 1987 because CDs have taken over the market.”

He hopes the coming demise of CDs, which are being phased out in favor of digital downloads, will boost sales again.

Gesner carries rock, blues, jazz, country and other genres.

During June, he is holding a musical contest with first prize, $100, second prize, $50, and third prize, $25.

The Music Connection stocks about 120,000 items, including 60,000 LPs, 30,000 45 RPM records, as well as CDs, 78 RPM records and playing equipment.

Gesner says he has no plans to retire.

In fact, the former elementary school teacher said he would like to teach college business courses but first he’ll have to find a buyer for the business.