Grand Junction, CO | Physical media sees resurgence on the Western Slope: Local media stores are witnessing renewed interest in physical formats as streaming and digital consumption continue to dominate entertainment. Matthew Cesario with Triple Play Records said he has seen a notable spike over the last year. “CD sales in general have grown. Also, cassette sales have grown. They’re making cassettes again, so you can get certain things on cassette,” Cesario said. While he reports an increase in CD and cassette sales, Vinyl still reigns supreme within the physical music realm. “Vinyl’s grown for a solid 10 years,” he said. “Vinyl used to be really hard to get. Certain records you couldn’t find. It’s the opposite now. You can get about anything on vinyl and it’s really hard to get CDs. They’re not making enough for the demand.”
Hyattsville, MD | A New Addition to Hyattsville Vinyl Culture: Fireplace Records. Hyattsville has a new spot for music lovers seeking community and tunes—Fireplace Records. Founded by four DJs and lifelong vinyl collectors, the new store, located at 4344 Farragut Street, opened in November 2025 and sells records and more. The owners say their shared passion for music transformed into a storefront where seasoned collectors and newcomers can explore a rich world of media. The owners—Anthony Mims, Black Wilson, DJ 2-Tone Jones and DJ Iran—old vinyl for more than 10 years at farmers markets, and since 2021 at the monthly Crate Convention in the District’s Anacostia Arts Center. Their combined expertise and love for vinyl led them to pool resources and open Fireplace Records. “…We just concerted our efforts together and got it done,” Wilson said.
Portland, ME | Vinyl, books, and VCRs: Mainers look to disconnect from modern tech: Local record and bookstore owners say more customers are turning to physical media to escape the digital “overload” they see on their screens every day. It’s a trend happening across the country—and it’s showing up in Maine too. Vinyl album sales in the U.S. rose for the 18th straight year in 2024, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. And it’s not just records. Several local stores say they’re seeing more people looking to disconnect from digital life by turning to older, more traditional formats—like books, DVDs, and even VCRs. At Electric Buddhas in Portland, store owner Mike Breton says the shift is clear. …Breton says many of his customers are looking for something they can hold—something real.
Boonton, NJ | “Welcome to Hidden Tracks Records.” Boonton, NJ’s Main Street has become a vibrant, revitalized historic downtown. Somewhere between the coffee houses, art studios and cozy cafes, you’ll find Hidden Tracks Records, a welcoming spot for music discovery and community. Owners Shane and Michele Murphy have been able to manifest their passion for music and create a place where the love of vinyl and live music converge. Once inside, you notice the care and well curated selection of new and used records. The atmosphere has a cafe-like charm with a front lounge area nestled by a full stage for live events. Most notably, Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) recently graced the stage. New Jersey Stage had an opportunity to catch up with Shane and hear more about Hidden Tracks Records and their expansion into a record label.
Odense, DK | Record Store In Denmark Boycotts Björk: A record store in Odense, Denmark, has removed Björk’s music from its shelves, reports the Danish broadcaster TV 2. This comes days after Björk’s comments about Greenland. “From tomorrow, it will no longer be possible to buy Björk in our store or on our website,” reads the Facebook post of RecordPusher.com. “This is due to her statements about Denmark and Greenland, which in no way does anything good for the situation the Danish Realm is currently in. Her post is factually incorrect, and she creates her own reality like Trump. This post divides friends and only helps the idiot on the other side of the Atlantic… goodbye Björk.”
Coventry, UK | Waterman’s spin on demolition of his record store: The demolition of a former record store run by music producer Pete Waterman had left him shocked, he said, but with fond memories of its role in British music history. The Soul Hole in City Arcade, Coventry, was once a hangout, he said, of local band The Specials, who he had helped to promote decades ago. But the site where he started out as a fledgling DJ and music entrepreneur has now been reduced to rubble as part of a £450m redevelopment plan. Waterman, who became a household name in the 1980s after producing records by acts such as Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley, said he accepted times “had to move on”, and the project could help Coventry “become a modern and hopefully boom city.” …Waterman, who was born in the city, said Two Tone pioneers The Specials used to spend hours hanging out in the shop. “It really was a gathering point, and on a Saturday it would be packed from 10 in the morning until five at night, it was incredible,” he said.
Hackney, UK | Hackney record store owner says he’ll fight council’s noise enforcement in court: Recycle Vinyl’s Rob Smith has challenged Hackney Council for penalising him after what he claims were ‘fake’ noise complaints over daytime music events in the summer. A used record shop owner in Hackney has vowed to fight his council’s noise enforcement in court following a dispute over disturbance from music-led events. Rob Smith opened his second-hand record store, Recycle Vinyl, just off Dalston’s Kingsland High Street in late 2024. As the next few months saw a sharp drop-off in takings, he planned to host a series of day parties over the summer to attract more customers. Yet after the first dance event he hosted last June led to several noise complaints, Hackney Council blocked Rob from putting on subsequent events they had already granted him permission for.
Liverpool, UK | Empty street has a tiny treasure trove well-worth visiting: There’s one big reason to visit an otherwise empty side of the city. A tucked away music store, in one of the city’s less populated corners, is sitting on a gold mine. There are plenty of vinyl record stores across Liverpool with vast, genre-spanning selections, but Dead Air Records is a modest little venture that I’ll be returning to sooner rather than later. Located at an awkward intersection between Lydia Ann Street and Suffolk Street, a quiet area lacking anything particularly interesting, for me, there is little reason to explicitly visit that side of the city centre. …Dead Air Records does little to advertise itself other than a cute little sign on the wall to flag down visitors. I learned of its presence through word of mouth and decided to relay it back to the masses as somewhere to shout about.
Milan, IT | Milan record shop Serendeepity renovates basement, adds listening booth: The space “will provide users with an ideal environment for in-depth research,” the team shared. Serendeepity has opened its basement to the public following renovation work. The Milan record shop said the new space “will provide users with an ideal environment for in-depth research,” in a post shared to Instagram last Wednesday, January 7th. All of the records have now been moved there. “The final touch is the addition of a soundproof listening booth where, upon request, you can listen in total isolation from the outside world,” the post read. “We look forward to seeing you there to enjoy the new space.” Launched in 2009, Serendeepity is located on Corso di Porta Ticinese in the centre of the city.
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