Twin Ports, MN | Local Record Stores Talk Vinyl: From the sound quality to the artistry vinyl records have made their comeback. Large department stores often carry some of the most popular records. But more unique selections are best found at your local record store. …“A lot of younger folks I see are kind of getting into it, asking a lot of questions about players, what they need for accessories. What’s the difference between a 45 and a 33 so it’s really cool to watch the market kind of blow up and expand, especially to a younger audience, because it ensures longevity in what we’re doing here.” said Jon Fritsche, Owner of Globe News in Superior. “You don’t need to have a super elaborate, expensive setup, you can start simple, whether it’s one of the little travel turntables, or, I don’t know, an older turntable with some headphones. You don’t have to throw 1000s of dollars at a system right away. You don’t have to buy 800 records right off the bat.
Atlanta, GA | New record store Crates ATL soft launches in Downtown Atlanta: A new record store from Moods Music owner Darryl Harris is set to open in Downtown Atlanta on Easter weekend. Crates ATL hosted a soft opening on April 11, introducing Harris’ new venture to Historic Hotel Row on Mitchell Street. Community members gathered for music, snacks and drinks, and a chance to get a first look at Crates’ inventory of new and vintage records, speakers, turntables, plants, and more. Moods Music has been an Atlanta staple for 25 years, bringing vinyl and CDs spanning genres like Neo Soul, Afro-Cuban, and Acid Jazz to Little Five Points. Crates displays Harris’ established music knowledge and effortless cool with a selection of records primarily highlighting Black artists and genres like jazz, hip-hop, funk, soul, and R&B — making it the “dopest vinyl shop in the ATL.”
Littleton, CO | Records on Main in Littleton will have its soft opening on April 26: After a delayed opening due to a motorcycle accident, the vinyl shop is preparing for its first customers. In the heart of Denver’s metro area, iconic shops like Wax Trax Records and Mutiny Information Cafe have long defined the region’s vinyl culture. Soon, vinyl enthusiasts can find records in downtown Littleton at Records on Main, a family-run record store set to open at 2430 W. Main St. The story behind Records on Main is as compelling as its collection. Cassie Cherin recently found herself organizing the soft launch of her dad’s record store. Her dad, Marshall Cherin suffered a near-fatal motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized. “It’s been difficult. I moved here from Los Angeles in the last 20 days,” she said. “But it’s also exciting and (my dad) is progressing really well right now. Hopefully he will be out of the hospital and into rehab within the next week.”
New York, NY | Rough Trade Debuts a New 4,000-Square-Foot Underground Location at Rink Level: …Indie record shop Rough Trade debuted a secondary location on the Rink Level of 30 Rockefeller Plaza this week, adding a new 4,000-square-foot space dubbed Rough Trade Below to its existing 2,000-square-foot street-level shop of the same building, now rebranded as Rough Trade Above. “Rather than open another store somewhere else in the city, we felt that we shouldn’t follow convention and just go bigger where we are,” director and co-owner Stephen Godfroy tells The Center Magazine. “Even though the second store is very close in proximity, it’s a different world.” Now, the upstairs location focuses on new vinyl, arranged by genre and then alphabetically. The lower-level store also has some new releases, but they’re displayed by theme, like classic New York albums. But a major part of the new space is a used vinyl section, where shoppers can listen to tracks before purchasing, as well as sell their own records.