Houston, TX | Is physical media in both a state of decline and renaissance at the same time? We discuss which physical media is still hanging on in a digital world, and why, with a Houston record store owner and an area DJ. Physical media used to reign supreme. Before today’s digital landscape, if we wanted to listen to music or watch movies on our own time, it meant collecting records, cassettes, CDs, VHS or DVDs. These days, you don’t need any of them – streaming services and digital downloads have pretty much replaced them all. The days of perusing sprawling sections of department stores dedicated to physical media are long gone. Even Target and Best Buy say they won’t carry DVDs or Blu-rays in their stores anymore. And yet: Vintage vinyl record stores have hung on. Some simply prefer the sound quality of vinyl.
Lansing, MI | Flat, Black and Circular changes ownership: Longtime manager takes the reins of beloved record shop. It’s been a banner year for Flat, Black and Circular. Not only has the downtown East Lansing record shop continued its streak of winning Best Record/CD Store in City Pulse’s Top of the Town contest, but it also saw an ownership change. After decades of working at FBC, longtime manager Jon Howard bought out owner and co-founder Dave Bernath. Bernath opened the store in 1977 alongside Dick Rosemont, who moved to New Mexico in 2010. Howard’s purchase became official on Oct. 1, 48 years after the store opened in the Campus Town Mall. At 58, Howard has been married for 28 years and has a 22-year-old daughter. Now he can add business owner to his list of responsibilities. The punk and underground music aficionado chatted with City Pulse about his new venture.
Portland, OR | Longtime Portland record store asked to vacate downtown location after 40 years: Tenants inside the Governor building in downtown Portland were asked to vacate citing a change in the property managers “retail portfolio.” A longtime Portland record store is being forced to vacate its downtown storefront after over 40 years. But it’s not just them being kicked out. A few months ago, tenants inside the Governor building on Southwest 2nd Avenue were notified they were being forced to vacate. “After 42 years of conducting business at The Governor Building, 2nd Avenue Records has been notified that we must vacate the building,” the record store said in a Facebook post Tuesday. The record store has been a staple at the Governor building and in downtown Portland. Many commented on 2nd Avenue Record’s Facebook post with support and suggestions on where the record store could move to next.
Bethlehem, PA | CD Center keeps physical media spinning: A young woman enters the Compact Disc Center on a slow, sunny afternoon. She ignores the wooden boxes filled with a mix of plastic-wrapped records and more tattered old ones. Instead, she turns to the hundreds of CDs displayed along one wall and in racks on the floor. As she goes about her search, the speakers above play a blues song by local musician “Chicago” Carl Snyder from what Mary Radakovits, one of the store’s owners, describes as a “great CD.” Despite the amount of music packed into the store, it isn’t cluttered. The CDs are alphabetized and organized by genre. If the customer was looking for it, she could easily find a pop, rap or folk album. Even polka. But the young woman’s hunt is for something specific, something she can’t seem to find. She approaches Radakovits at the register and inquires about a Moss Icon CD. “We can have it next week,” Radakovits tells the young woman, placing an order.
Frisco, TX | ZT Records offers vintage, classical and modern music in The Woodlands: Phil Ramirez started collecting records over 15 years ago and converted his hobby into a business with ZT Records. The record store was founded in Frisco in 2011 and expanded to The Woodlands Mall in September 2023. Ramirez said while people can stream music online, physical music media such as records, compact discs and cassettes can offer people a more personal experiences with features such as album cover art and enhanced sound quality. “[Physical music media] is a rebellion against streaming services,” Ramirez said. “On streaming services your artist is available one month and then the next month is gone, but with records and CDs, once you buy it, it’s yours forever.” What’s special about it: Ramirez said he sold his first records on Craigslist and decided to start selling his collection at the Frisco Mercantile antique store in 2009, where his business began to take off.
Hillsdale, MI | Checker Records named one of Michigan’s best local eats: When John Spiteri and his wife, Robin, opened Checker Records in 1987, it could never have won a food award. They sold records and CDs, not coffee and sweets. But the Hillsdale landmark earned a shoutout from Michigan news outlet MLive last month as one of “Michigan’s Best Local Eats.” “When the music industry started taking a turn for the worse, we decided we had to do something to stay alive,” John Spiteri said. “Our kids were both involved in travel sports, and we spent a lot of time on the road. We would go to coffee shops just for something to kill time.” Spiteri said they were inspired by Borders, a former bookstore-coffee-shop hybrid chain, and decided in 2003 to bring in espresso machines and baristas to complement the shop’s rows of CDs and vinyl records. “If they could deal with books, we could try it with music,” Spiteri said.
Ames, IA | Let’s set the record straight: Vinyl Cafe review: The weather is getting colder and if you are finding that you need a spot to have a warm drink, or just have time to kill, the Vinyl Cafe on Main Street is the spot for you to go. The Vinyl Cafe is a coffee shop in downtown Ames that is special because of the setting and mix of coffee and music, along with the fact that the owner puts the customer first. The thing that struck me the most when I entered the cafe was the setting. It is a very warm-feeling place, and the owner is part of that reason. Blake Delaney has made it into a very caring and warm place to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. He is very easy to talk to, and it feels like he actually cares about the customer more than your average chain coffee shop. Another thing that makes the cafe unique is the fact that it is also a record store. It is really cool to see the merging of the cafe and the records, so this unique combination is well worth checking out.
Danbury, CT | Danbury Record and CD Expo: Imagine a room full of great collectible vinyl, cd’s, and music memorabilia. Then go to the Danbury Record and CD Expo and see such a room in person! On November 23, music dealers from all over New England will converge on VFW Hall 149 in Danbury. They will have all sorts of new, used, rare, and bargain music merch. This includes records, cassettes, videos, tee shirts, and much much more. Whether you’re a seasoned record collector or new to the hobby, the Danbury Record and CD Expo is bound to have something for you. The Expo starts at 10 AM and runs till 4 PM. Regular admission during these hours is still only $4. Early birds can pay $10 from 8 AM till 9:59 AM and get some real hardcore crate digging done!
Beres Hammond’s ‘Just A Man’ to be released on green vinyl for Black Friday: Reggae legend Beres Hammond’s 1979 album Just A Man will be reissued in a limited green vinyl edition for Record Store Day Black Friday on November 29, 2024. This newly re-mastered version offers fans an opportunity to experience an early chapter of Hammond’s illustrious career, showcasing his unique blend of R&B and disco influences alongside his signature Lover’s Rock sound. Originally released on the Joe Gibbs label, Just A Man features Hammond in a different light, long before he became the revered figure of modern reggae and soul. The album includes standout tracks like the UK Soul hit “Do This World A Favour” and seven other funky, full-length songs that reveal a diverse side of the iconic artist. Fans will get to hear a more soulful, disco-inspired Beres Hammond, offering a fascinating contrast to his later, more roots-oriented style.
