Oshawa: The Press vinyl café and lounge opens in former Kops Records space downtown

A new café, record store and lounge called The Press has opened in downtown Oshawa, taking over the former Kops Records space at 34 King St. E., across from the Biltmore Theatre, Oshawa This Week reports.

Will McGuirk, who managed Kops before it closed earlier in 2026, has returned to curate the shop's music, events and atmosphere. Domenic Albis, manager of Avanti Trattoria, leases the space. The shop sells local and international records and coffee from Bowmanville roastery Silver Scooter, and displays art and posters tied to Oshawa's music history.

The space includes seating for reading and conversation, a DJ booth for local DJ performances and livestreams, and plans for vendor pop-ups, events and casual afternoon music sessions, with rotating music-themed art.

McGuirk told Oshawa This Week the project is a response to negative outside perceptions of downtown, pointing to vacant storefronts and homelessness, and said local operators investing downtown can help counter that perception.