Jesse Carl Vinyl began with two components: a young girl's love for music and the memory of a great man. The owner of Jesse Carl Vinyl grew up in a family that encouraged her to dive into her passions at a very young age—for her, that passion was music. One of her earliest memories of realizing that passion involved sitting at her grandfather's house at toddler age, strumming on a guitar she had no idea how to play. Little did this man know, however, that his guitar, his influence, and her unquenchable spark would lead her to pursue a
professional career in music.

This man's name was Jesse Carl Ellerbe, and it is from him that this record store has coined its name. Mr. Ellerbe was a phenomenal man who touched the lives of not only his granddaughter, but his entire family. He served in the US Navy during World War II, and married a woman named Vivian Silver. Mr. Ellerbe was a hardworking man who dedicated his life to his wife and five children, and eventually to his five grandchildren, who all remember him as a hero and role model.

Jesse Carl Vinyl is owned by Jessi Zilka, a native of Lakeland, Florida and the youngest grandchild of the late Mr. Ellerbe. Her passion for records began from the influence of her parents and their love for the old sound that only records provide. She started collecting on her own in late high school and has been on the hunt for a great find ever since.
Some of Jessi’s favorite artists: Jack White, Pearl Jam, Prince, Chris Cornell, Talking Heads, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, and Deftones

We love you, Tommy

For almost 10 years, Jessi’s father Tommy served as her business partner and manager of Jesse Carl Vinyl. In September of 2025, he passed away after a short and difficult battle with pancreatic cancer. As Tommy’s late father inspired Jessi in the creation of this shop, Tommy will serve as inspiration for not just Jessi, but the whole Jesse Carl Vinyl team, to continue on in the preservation of physical music media. His top priority was always the happiness of his customers, and that is what we will strive to achieve as well. We miss you and love you, Dad.