QUESTION OF THE WEEK FROM POSTER SILAS BARABY: WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE RECORD STORE? DOES IT STILL EXIST?

I had a few Record Factory and Zig Zag Records come to mind. Both in Brooklyn NY, and I doubt either exist.

24 Responses

  1. Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ, about a mile and half from where I grew up. A legendary record store…and sometimes just a good hang. Sadly, it closed in 2021.

  2. My favorite record store was/is Lou’s Records in Encinitas, California. As an independent store, it first opened in 1980 in Encinitas. It first opened in a small location, and is now at its third location in Encinitas as the business has grown over the years. Lou’s Records has survived the ever changing ways people consume music….vinyl, cassettes, compact discs, streaming, etc….and still operates today selling primarily new/used vinyl and compact discs.

    As a kid, my friends and I would go to Lou’s Records and ask to read the latest editions of Kerrang! and Sounds magazines that were available for sale. I never bought them, just read them, and Lou was always cool about it. Those magazines introduced us to new bands that we would ask Lou to order their music for us. The more obscure the band was, the better…..

    Over the years, Lou has learned what music I prefer, and will text me when something comes in he thinks I may want. He will also order me things I want if he doesn’t have them in stock, subject to his distributors’ availability. Usually I buy/order compact discs.

    I’ve known Lou for 46 years, and will always give him my business first before ordering/buying from any other vendors. Since 1980, Lou has helped me build my vinyl collection, and helped me get rare NWOBHM singles/ albums and other independent releases. One day I may sell them all, but not yet….even though I NEVER listen to vinyl anymore. All music i have on vinyl, I mostly have on compact disc, too.

    If anybody is looking for music, I’d highly recommend giving Lou’s Records a chance. I wear my Lou’s Records t-shirt while on vacation just to help promote the business.

    Silas, thanks for suggesting this question to Dana. I enjoyed writing my post in response to it…..and it brought back alot of great memories.

  4. Great question! It has been gone for years! It switches either between a Mexican taco place or a cell phone place! The greatest memory from their was buying my Van Halen 1984 tour tickets and going with two beautiful girls! Everybody was so cool back then!

    1. Huh? If you’ve never been to a record store, then how would yours exist, and why would you hope it’s still there when you’ve never been?

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