Richard Douglas—Town Purveyor Of Music, Introspection And Nostalgia

Around 1962 in Queens, New York, Richard and Karen Douglas first met at the age of 12. They were competing at summer camp—Karen was singing “California Dreamin’” with her band and Richard was singing “Do You Love Me” with his. 

They reconnected in college and now, almost 50 years later, located in Olde Mistick Village is the thriving product of their partnership. Karen opened the store 31 years ago but now Richard is often the one seen manning the psychedelic post.

A musician and lover of all things 60s, Richard, has spent most of his life working as a clinical psychologist. He formerly worked for Montville Public Schools and retired last June working at Imagine full-time, which he said he absolutely loves.

A bold purveyor of nostalgia, Richard digs right in painting a picture of himself through some bright and defining moments of his youth.

In 1964 at age 14, Richard got his first gig at the World's Fair in New York performing with his band the Roamin’ Candles. 

“Our phone began to ring and owners of various cafes wanted to book us,” Richard said. “We played gigs twice a week for about two years at the World's Fair. It was a very cool time.”   

His love of music continued and as a teenager he played with different bands in anti-war demonstrations.

“My home was visited by law enforcement, accusing me of being involved in radical anti-warisms. It was crazy.” 

During Douglas’s last year of high school, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated which had an irrevocable impact on him.

“People were so disillusioned because all their heroes were getting exterminated,” Richard said.

Introspection and the pursuit of understanding life’s tragedies led Richard down the path of psychology and philosophy throughout college. Eventually, he received a master’s degree in psychology from University of Bridgeport.

“There was an opportunity for me to work in Montville and Karen heard about . Karen has an unbelievable gift for anticipating trends and merchandise. At the time it was 99 percent scrimshaw and we thought we’d be an oasis in the village,” he said.

Visiting Miami Beach, Karen and Richard witnessed an unforgettable sunset in a rainbow sky. Imagine by John Lennon came on the radio and they both knew that moment to be the birth of the concept of their store.

“We wanted music, clothing of the 60s, ethnic and Indian fashion and humor—a store with a sense of irony. It’s been a constant evolution. It’s not something that stands still.” 

Currently, Richard lives in Mystic and treasures the area. He can finish his work day at Imagine and go out to play local venues with musician friends and as he says if you feel like living dangerously and staying out late, New London is right over the bridge. 

Although he spends much less time counseling and more time steeped in nostalgia, he takes moments of introspection here and there. 

Douglas said, “I’m grateful mostly to Karen that she created this place and I'm grateful that she gave me the opportunity to find myself.”