New York, NY | 5 record stores near Washington Square Park for discovering new and old music: Replace doomscrolling and fall in love with physical media again by exploring these record stores near campus. With 2025 off to an unnerving start, it’s hard not to fall into an endless pit of doomscrolling. There is no time like the present to enter a time capsule — to travel back in time to when the state of the world didn’t feel like the brink of Armageddon. While we don’t yet have time capsules, a close second would be record stores, offering an escape into the universe of music. Whether you’re after chart-toppers or obscure deep cuts, these five stores near campus offer something for every listener—from vinyl and CDs to cassette tapes, each with its own unique charm and selection.
ME | Record Store Day creator Chris Brown leaving Bull Moose music chain: Brown, who helped create Record Store Day and is known for his music business insights, has been with the company for 31 years. Chris Brown, a fixture in Maine’s music scene and a founder of the national Record Store Day, is leaving the Bull Moose chain this week. Brown, 56, said Tuesday he’s leaving the Maine music and bookstore chain to start his own music marketing firm, Chris Brown 33. His last day at Bull Moose will be Friday. Though his title was vice president of finance, Brown was well-known for his insights into the music business, particularly when it came to new local music. …Brown said he’ll continue to make videos highlighting new releases—and promoting Record Store Day—on his own website. He’ll also work with musicians and record labels around the country to help promote their music.
Summit, NJ | One of N.J.’s best record stores is closing after almost 70 years: The end is approaching for one of New Jersey’s enduring record shops. Scotti’s Record Shops of Summit announced via social media Friday that it will be closing soon as the owners are headed into retirement. The record store is expected to close in the next few weeks although an exact date has yet to be announced, a store employee told NJ Advance Media. “Thank You for the many decades of friendship and support, I will miss seeing all the regulars and meeting all the new customers,” the post, signed by Gary Scotti and the entire Scotti family, read. “Special thanks to Susan and Nick and all of the previous employees.” The Union County record store is holding a retirement sale of 20% off all merchandise leading up to the closing. “Stay well and safe, keep the music playing,” the farewell post concluded.
Houston, UK | The List Cafe, Venue, And Vinyl Collective Opens In New Houston Space This Weekend: What began as a cafe has evolved into a multi-concept collective opening this weekend in Houston’s Second Ward. After closing its boutique coffee and vinyl shop in Montrose this past September, The List is on to a new chapter. This weekend, the cafe, event space, and radio show moves into its new digs: a two-story, multi-concept collective in Houston’s Second Ward with a coffee house, barbershop, record store, and more—all under one roof. …Founded by Brijan Turner, its new home at 201 Roberts St. will comprise of a barbershop, coffee shop, and vintage retail space on the first floor; with a record shop as well as the city’s first black-owned film lab on the second story. …“Ultimately, people don’t come to The List just for one thing. Whether you’re here for music, exploring literature, to dance, and discover local artists, or to just relax in a vibrant space while connecting with people—we want to offer something for everyone.”
Leeuwarden, NL | Dutch vinyl pressing plant Deepgrooves reopens after bankruptcy, fraud allegations: New owners Credible Music BV, who acquired Deepgrooves’ assets last November, told RA they hope to “promise less, deliver more.” Dutch vinyl pressing plant Deepgrooves has reopened under new ownership, a matter of months after the business faced allegations of fraud in the wake of a bankruptcy filing. Co-owners Jan ‘t Hoen and Arnoud Aalbersberg officially relaunched the plant in December 2024, assuming Deepgrooves’ assets from a bankruptcy curator through their company Credible Music BV. Still operating out of its former home in Leeuwarden, the new Deepgrooves continues to utilise recycled PVC and clean energy for production. Aarslberg, a former customer of Deepgrooves, told Resident Advisor he approached the founder about restarting the business late last year. Founded in 2017, the original Deepgrooves declared bankruptcy in October 2024.
Illawarra, AU | Kiama Record Fair ‘has a life of its own’ as music lovers lined up: Before the doors had even opened at the Kiama Record Fair on the weekend, the line outside was large. Taking place at the Kiama Masonic Lodge on February 1 and 2, the fair saw vinyl fans come and browse through stock, which included classic records and newer selections. Husband and wife duo Peter Pasqual and Erica Olsen said the “record fair has a life of its own.” “We love it … each time we hold the fair, it’s not a different vibe, but it depends on who we have as the guest sellers,” Ms Olsen said. “We see the same faces but we have a lot of tourist traffic coming through as well.” The turnout for the fair was high and gave the organisers little time to catch their breaths on Saturday before a less busy but still full Sunday. “I’d say without exaggeration, probably over 1,000 people all through,” Mr Pasqual said.
Cleveland, OH | The Cleveland Record Riot! Vinyl Record Sale! Sun March 16th at Woodside Event Center, Broadview Heights: The Cleveland Record RIot! It’s a BIG VINYL RECORD POP-UP sale at Woodside Event Center, 5025 Mill Road, Broadview Heights! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music & family fun. LPs/CDs/45s. The Cleveland Record Riot RETURNS! It’s a MAD VINYL DIGGING PARTY! Sun March 16th at the Woodside Event Center, 5025 Mill Road. Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Smashing Pumpkins Announce ‘Siamese Dream’ Vinyl Reissue: The influential record, which featured hits like ‘Today’ and ‘Disarm,’ will return to shelves in its original 1993 packaging. Smashing Pumpkins have announced a new vinyl reissue of their second album Siamese Dream. The Chicago band’s influential record will be back on shelves this April, on 180-gram black vinyl complete with original 1993 packaging. After releasing 1991 debut Gish, Smashing Pumpkins—frontman Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha, bassist D’arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin—had a lot to live up to. They were widely hyped as the next big thing in a post-Nirvana alt-rock landscape—per Corgan, he felt intense pressure to “make the next album to set the world on fire.” The record was primarily produced by Garbage drummer Butch Vig and Corgan themselves, and achieved a layered, wall of sound effect—some songs use up to 32 separate guitar tracks.
Coon Rapids, MN | Spoken love letter records from 1950s found at Twin Cities thrift store reunited with family: Last month, we brought you the story of Angelina Polumbo and the recorded love letters she discovered at a Twin Cities Goodwill. Now, WCCO was able to unite her with the owners of a love story that started more than 70 years ago. Palumbo is doing her part to save the environment. “Going to Goodwill is how I kind of, instead of buying new, I try to find things thrifted and give a new purpose to them,” Palumbo said. But on a recent trip to Goodwill, someone’s donation mistake turned the thrifter into a detective. “I was looking for jazz records and I found them, and I picked it up and pulled it out and these two little records came out with them,” Palumbo said. “I thought, oh my gosh, score, three records for one. Rock on.” Those two smaller records carried the voices of a young military man and his wife, recorded more than 70 years ago.
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