Rockford, IL | Toad Hall still spinning after 50 years: Fifty years is a long time for a small business to stick around. That’s why Toad Hall Books and Records is celebrating this weekend. The Rockford record shop will have a food truck and live music Saturday to mark the occasion. “Not a lot of businesses make it to 50 years,” owner Nick Naruz said. “To have a community that supports Toad Hall for 50 years is pretty special.” Naruz bought the store almost 20 years ago. He’s watched the resurgence of vinyl in recent years bring a new energy to the store. “The rebirth of vinyl, along with other physical media, DVDs, books, comics, people want the real thing,” Naruz said. “They want to touch it. They want to feel it. They want to collect it. The community, locally, that supports that, they just love the nostalgia. They like coming in and having fun.”
Fort Meyers, FL | Stellar Records opens in Fort Myers amid resurgence of vinyl records: An avid music lover since childhood, owner Liz Cochran fulfilled a dream she’s been chasing for years by opening Stellar Records in Fort Myers. “I wanted to be able to be in the community and help people heal through music and give them a place to gather,” Cochran said. “Music is something that brings everyone together.” The woman-owned and operated record shop at 4204 Cleveland Ave. had its grand opening last weekend, which showcased the record revival trend seen over the years. Last year, vinyl sales beat out CDs for the first time since 1987, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Considering the rise in technology since the origins of vinyl records, there was a time where vinyl was kept alive in niche spaces. …“My first customer on the grand opening was 16 years old,” Cochran said. “I’ve had people in here who left their independent living facility to come visit me. It’s literally across the board.”
Ottawa, CA | September Sounds: Bring your own vinyl night at Afterlight: After a successful summer pilot, one of Ottawa’s newer music venues Afterlight has decided to kick off Bring Your Own Vinyl Night on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to midnight for the rest of September. Save your money for the bar, because there’s no cover charge! We decided to check it out for ourselves. There’s nothing quite like soaking in the sweet sounds of vinyl spinning in this legendary basement venue with a seriously impressive sound system (if you’ve experienced an event at City at Night, you know what I mean). Some of us with record collections at home often find ourselves dusting off our stacks more often than actually listening to them, so it is an absolute treat to be able to bring our own records, hand them over to the DJ, sit back, relax, order a delicious drink (or three) and enjoy some of our treasured tracks through Afterlight’s sound system.
Westchester County, NY | Shop Music New and Old at These Westchester Record Stores: These Westchester County record stores carry a range of vinyl from recent pop releases to classic and vintage albums. Records have made a massive comeback in recent years. And whether you’re a collector of vintage records or simply enjoy the look of albums on your wall, records hold a timeless, widespread appeal. After all, there’s something special about placing your record on the turntable, carefully touching the needle to the vinyl, and listening to completion. Westchester has stores stocked with crates full of new and pre-loved vintage records of all genres and time periods.
Toronto, CA | Toronto-Mississauga Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show: Ontario’s largest Record Show with 50+ Independent Vendors from across Ontario & Quebec 80 tables of vinyl LPs & 45s, plus books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs t-shirts and memorabilia! Ontario’s largest Record Show in 2023 with 50+ Independent Vendors from across Ontario & Quebec. 80 tables featuring tens of thousands vinyl LPs & 45s covering every genre, plus books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs t-shirts and memorabilia! Order copies of updated Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia, plus the release of Adventures in 12/8ths Time – a Personal Journey and reference of Progressive Rock Bands from the 60s and 70 by Ralph Quirino, author of Ani DiFranco: Righteous Babe Revisited. Sunday September 24, 2023 at the Etobicoke Olympium
Sudbury, ON | They were going on the record at the Elk’s Lodge: Who says vinyl is dead? Not a number of shoppers are the North Bay Record Show at the Elk’s Lodge on Saturday. In the high-tech world some classic old school things are alive and well. Vinyl records being one of those things. The event welcomed 14 vendors from North Bay, Callander, Sudbury, South River, Orillia, Toronto, and St. Catherines. Kristi Pearce helps to operate the Callander Bay Record Store and helped run the show at the Elk’s Lodge. Pearce acknowledged that vinyl’s comeback was a bit of surprise, but she will take it. “The sound of (vinyl) records was always the best sound and look how much album art there is,” says Pearce. “For some people it never went away, so I think that is something too.”
Salt Lake City, UT | Salt Lake City radio station uses record sale to keep the music playing: While most radio stations have moved away from vinyl records to broadcast music, one Salt Lake City radio station remains in an old school frame of mind, using vinyl, CDs and cassettes to keep the airwaves alive, although not in the way you might think. “I’m gonna say we’re the only station in Salt Lake that has turntable,” said KRCL community radio midday host, Eugenie Jaffe. Anyone who tunes into KRCL in the middle of the day will hear Jaffe on the mic. Among the tunes and telephone calls, listeners will also hear reminders about this weekend’s big event. KRCLs 909 Day Block Party and Record Sale on Saturday (9/9) will be a unique experience where vinyls used to be how the station put music on the air. They have now turned to selling vinyls to keep that same music going.
Mondo’s ‘That Thing You Do!’ Vinyl Is Absolutely ‘Wonders-ful.’ This record is more than a one-hit wonder! You’ll want to give thanks to Tom Hanks when you get your hands on the new That Thing You Do! vinyl record. Mondo and Playtone Records are releasing the 1996 movie soundtrack on vinyl for the first time ever, with additional content that fans will love. Movie lovers can listen to the combined talent of James Mattingly, Lenny Haise, T.B. Player, and Guy Patterson with this 15-track record. The album also features the musical stylings of The Norm Wooster Singers, The Heardsman, Freddy Fredrickson, The Saturn 5, Diane Dane, and more. This record has far-out colors that vibe with its groovy tunes. The vinyl has several color variations, including a Mondo-exclusive clear record with multi-color splatter. Fans can also go to Enjoy The Ride Records, which will offer limited-edition copies in opaque red, standard black, and the ‘Gold Nugget’ variant.
12 Incredible Corner Store Vinyl Storage Rack for 2023: Introducing the “12 Incredible Corner Store Vinyl Storage Rack for 2023” – an absolute game-changer for vinyl enthusiasts! If you’re a record collector searching for a stylish and efficient way to store your prized vinyl collection, look no further. This expertly curated list showcases twelve extraordinary corner store vinyl storage racks that are set to revolutionize the storage and display of your records. With the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics, these racks will not only protect your vinyl but also elevate the overall appeal of your music room. Get ready to organize and showcase your favorite records like never before with these incredible storage solutions designed specifically for vinyl lovers.
