Berkley, IL | Marijuana is made musical at new Berkley dispensary: A new cannabis dispensary in Oakland County promises to create an experience that immerses customers in marijuana’s musical connections. Diverging from the typical cannabis dispensary model, Seven Point aims to create an approachable and active atmosphere for customers that provides education about products and advances the cannabis purchasing experience through music. The shop is intended to be a place where cannabis and music intersect, doubling as a record store with newly released vinyl albums and turntables for sale. Opening in August at 28557 Woodward Ave. in Berkley is the business’ second location. The first opened in Illinois on April 20 to coincide with 420, a traditional marijuana-related holiday. Brad Zerman, the founder and CEO of Seven Point, said the concept of putting music and cannabis together seemed to be a “natural fit” given their intertwined history.
London, UK | London Record Shop Next Door Records Has Opened A Second Branch In The City: Music and wine lovers alike can now enjoy the popular West London record store Next Door Records in a stunning new location in East London. Popular London record shop Next Door Records has officially opened a second new branch in city—Next Door Records Two (NDR2). Originally nestled at the end of Uxbridge Road in Shepherd’s Bush, Next Door Records not only doubles up as both a record store and solid hangout spot but also has an ever-evolving wine list, pizza and special live music events with DJs regularly performing at the space. Already home to the best community of music lovers and artists with NTS radio station and iconic music venue EartH in the area, it comes with no surprise that NDR is now making its way to a second location in East London. With NDR2 officially launched on May 3, the space features a bespoke DJ booth with turntables and CDJs, as well as a bar where you can order pint-size wine ‘carafes’ incase you fancy a little more than a glass and a little less than a bottle.
Beloit, WI | New heart, vintage vinyl: Jeff Livingston opened Tin Dog Records after major transplants, stroke. After surviving heart and kidney transplants, and a stroke, Jeff Livingston is living a peaceful life as owner of Tin Dog Records, a vintage-record shop. The overhead music, decorations, album range and Livingston’s enthusiasm keeps customers in the quaint store, but Livingston stays for the happiness the store brings him. “I come here, I play albums all day and figure out what they’re worth, Livingston said. “People come in for two hours and they’ll just look at (things). We’ll talk about it and it’s a lot of fun.” The former attorney attended the University of Wisconsin Law School from 1982-89. After moving to Chicago and struggling to find work, Livingston found a gig in Beloit and has been there ever since. He’s almost done it all in the court—from being a defender to writing wills—but it’s not something he misses today.
Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee’s Locally Owned Record Stores: For some of us, every day is Record Store Day. In Milwaukee we are fortunate to have several vinyl-centric shops that cater to that particular addiction. Each record store has its own personality. The honor roll of defunct shops includes Radio Doctors, Flipville, Atomic Records, Ludwig Van Ear, Earwaves, The Exclusive Company, Great Lakes, Dirty Jack’s, Spin Dizzy, Lotus Land and more. Here’s a look at what’s what today. Once again there is change in the air with Bullseye Records closing shop and Irving Place Records taking its place. Bullseye Records and Irving Place Records: Luke Lavin has been behind the counter of record stores most of his adult life. Beginning at Mainstream Music at the corner of Farwell and Brady, he moved to Second Hand Tunes. When he heard that Earwaves was going out of business he decided to open Farwell Music in 1996 next to the Oriental Theatre…