Oxford, OH | Black Plastic closes Oxford location, leaving collectors without a record store: Toward the end of the fall semester, record collectors were in for a shock when they made their way Uptown and discovered that Black Plastic, the record store in Oxford, had closed its doors. After opening in late 2022, the record store was only open for about a year before its closure. Black Plastic sold a variety of records, with new releases from artists like Taylor Swift to older, used vinyl. On top of selling records, the store also held an early listening party for Mitski’s album “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.” Emma Schaefer, a first-year speech pathology and audiology major, attended this listening party. “It was fun. They gave us posters and wristbands and stuff for her new album,” Schaefer said. “We went and they played the record over the whole store.” Despite having never purchased from Black Plastic directly, Schaefer has collected records since she was in eighth grade.
Kanawha, WV | Kanawha County record store to close after more than 50 years of business: A longtime Kanawha County record store is closing after 52 years. For more than half a century, Budget Records and Tapes operated at it’s Kanawha City location. They announced in a social media post Tuesday night that their days are numbered. “I feel great that I’ve have such wonderful business all these years, but I feel sad that we’re closing down,” said Priscilla Pope, co-owner of Budget. The store’s last day is Sunday, March 3. Ever since the announcement, hundreds of people have flooded in to grab one more vinyl or maybe a piece of merchandise. Pope said folks were ready to shop on Wednesday even before doors opened. “They were outside waiting on us when we opened at 10,” she said. A few hundred people made their way to the store Wednesday. Pope expects more larger crowds leading up to their last day.
Waco, TX | A record achievement: Vintage Mío serves nonprofits through vinyl music sales: Four years ago, Armando Cardoso began selling records online as a side gig after inheriting a large collection from his aunt. Now, he runs Vintage Mío at 108 S Sixth St., uniting people through a shared love of music while giving back to those in need. Cardoso said he knew very little about records when he first started the venture. “I knew what a record was; I just didn’t understand things like how Elvis sounded on a 78 RPM,” Cardoso said. …About two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardoso decided to leave his job of 12 years to focus on health concerns. As the impact of the pandemic began to unfold across the globe, Cardoso said he saw the great need of nonprofits in his area of Oregon. Wanting to find a way to start a business while giving back to those in need, the idea for Vintage Mío — mío meaning “mine” in Spanish — was born.
Sandy, OR | A Record Shop in Sandy connects people to music, each other: When Scott “Minty” Minton rented the storefront at 39090-B Pioneer Blvd., in Sandy, he did so with the plan of using it as an office where he would operate his design business. Over time, his vision for the space shifted and now it’s been opened up to the community as A Record Shop. A Record Shop offers exactly what the name implies: a curated selection of vinyl records, as well as CDS, cassette tapes and VHS tapes. But also a place for people to connect around music and commonalities. Minton has already hosted a few live band performances in the shop; think NPR’s tiny desk concerts but in a record shop in Sandy. “I didn’t start the shop to be a community space,” Minton explained, adding that he feels like he’s really just the catalyst, the connector, for the people who come in. “I talk to everybody who comes in. It’s definitely become something much greater than I expected it to be.”
St. Peter, MN | St. Peter record store throwing hip-hop showcase of Southern Minnesota artists: During a night on the town, it’s not hard to find live music in St. Peter — as long as you’re looking for rock, folk or country. But if it’s hip-hop the listener is seeking, venues in the area are more than sparse. But at Aesthetic Religion, Records and Texts, owner and rapper Jon Ivan Gill is hoping to change that. The record store which recently opened its doors last year will be hosting its first hip hop showcase on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the goal of promoting Southern Minnesota’s hip-hop music scene. The event was conceived by Mankato area rapper and hip-hop promoter !ntell!gent Des!gn and Gill to help expose more people to the local hip-hop scene and establish Aesthetic, Religion, Records at Texts as new venue for genre. “[!ntell!gent Des!gn]’s really, really dope on the mic and we got to build for a little bit. He came in one day and we talked about how the Mankato scene at this point needs venues. We’re trying to revitalize some stuff and bring it together and hope that it’s one of many [events to come],” said Gill.
Carlisle, UK | Inside Carlisle’s Vinyl Cafe on National Retro Day: Retro style is all about reviving the styles of the past and few things from history have undergone a revival as impressive as vinyl has. So, to commemorate National Retro Day, I visited Carlisle’s Vinyl Cafe, where aptly-named owner James Brown is feeling good about the future of the business. The shop, located on Abbey Street, sells a wonderful array of records, ranging from the Rolling Stones to Rod Stewart. Mr Brown opened the shop back in 2016 and has enjoyed seeing the surge in sales that vinyl has experienced in recent years, despite the availability of streaming services. He said: “We opened in July 2016 and now we have been here eight years. It’s been a real journey. “Since I was a kid, the love of music has run deep. I’ve loved playing guitar and writing songs since I was young, and had vinyl records handed down to me by my parents over the years. We source vinyl records from all over the world and they range from new to second-hand.”
Washington, DC | Exclusive: Bar stars to open vinyl and cocktail lounge in Dupont Circle: Miso-washed cognac cocktails. Vinyl records. “Sando-based” snacks. There’s a lot to make headlines at Press Club, an intimate record and cocktail lounge coming to Dupont Circle by early summer. Why it matters: Barmen and longtime friends Will Patton (Bresca and Jônt) and Devin Kennedy (ex-East Village destination Pouring Ribbons) both have résumés studded with Michelin-starred restaurants and Spirited Awards, so it’s exciting they’re teaming up for their own venture. The vibe: “Discotheque meets ’90s record shop,” Patton tells Axios. Though there will be vinyl and Japan-esque touches, Kennedy says, “It’s not like a tranquil Japanese listening bar where you sit and listen to records.” Kennedy, the self-appointed “vibe coordinator,” will man turntables stacked with vinyls that pay homage to his D.C. upbringing (Pusha T, No Malice) as well as funk, disco, neo-soul, new wave, post-punk, “anything with a base and beat.”
For the Record: USM Haller the ultimate vinyl storage solution: …Finding a storage unit to house such a precious collection, that also fits in with the owner’s furniture tastes and has the added flexibility to grow as further additions are acquired, can be a difficult task. USM Haller is the solution; its sleek and striking aesthetic is the perfect fit for the modern vinyl collector. USM Haller furniture celebrates its 60th birthday next year, a testament to the timeless qualities of this exceptional modular furniture system. The success of USM is due to its simple yet ingenious design. From a few basic components a beautiful and iconic piece of furniture is built, USM Haller has been designed to grow with its environment ever changing needs, no matter how much an avid vinyl collector you are. It is the Swiss precision in which the components are made that gives the furniture the strength and versatility that have made USM Haller a design classic.
Annapolis, MD | Maryland Hall to Host Naptown Vinyl Record Show on April 28, 2024: Maryland Hall in Annapolis is set to welcome vinyl record enthusiasts and collectors on April 28, 2024, for the Inaugural Naptown Vinyl Record Show. The event, scheduled to run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, promises a day filled with music, food, and the opportunity for attendees to explore a diverse array of vinyl records, CDs, and tapes. The show is designed to cater to casual music fans and serious collectors, offering a platform for participants to discover unique finds and share their passion for music. In addition to the main attractions, the event is expected to include additional surprises, enhancing the experience for all visitors. Vendors specializing in vinyl records, CDs, or tapes are encouraged to participate in the show. However, space is limited, and interested parties should register as soon as possible. Maryland Hall is also offering sponsorship opportunities for the event.
