US | Record Store Day 2025: Get To Know Its Vinyl-Buying U.S. Audience. In its 18th year of celebrating independent record stores and vinyl music, Record Store Day continued to draw enthusiastic crowds the week of April 12. Here are the U.S. sales highlights as tracked by Luminate: Total of 1.2 million albums sold (just over 1 million are vinyl), Fifth consecutive year total exceeded 1 million albums, Only 12 weeks over the past decade surpassed 1 million mark. But to fully understand the vinyl-buying audience, it’s necessary to look not just at how many people are participating in RSD but at their demographic composition as well. …Among vinyl buyers—the segment of survey respondents who indicated they’d purchased vinyl in the past 12 months—46% of all vinyl buyers between 13-17 years of age went to RSD and purchased a piece of vinyl in 2024, as did roughly 44% of all vinyl buyers between 25-44. And it was 32% of vinyl buyers overall who attended and purchased at RSD—a hefty portion that indicates just how strongly RSD resonates with its target audience.
Tacoma, WA | The List: Lantern Records’ Heather Hahn. For Heather Hahn, owner of Lantern Records in Olympia, her record store is one way she gives back to a community she credits with saving her life. Hahn remembers listening to her dad’s record collection as a child. Years after her dad’s death, she discovered his old record collection. Listening to those records brought back floods of memories and connected her to her father. “I listened to that, and it was just like him sitting there next to me, listening to that record with me,” Hahn said. “Like the memories that are held within music — and records specifically for me — there’s nothing like it. There’s nothing like holding a tangible piece of art.” Hahn lived in the Chicago area for a portion of her adult life but felt the pull of Washington calling her back. When she stepped foot back in Olympia, she finally felt at home.
PA | Up for a Vinyl Road Trip? Head to Berks County. If you’re on the hunt for vintage vinyl or looking to take a music lovers’ road trip, Hamburg, Berks County, is the destination for a new experience: Everlong Records. The new record shop will open on Saturday, May 3, at 805 State St. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon is planned. Established by entrepreneurs Adam and Nicole Kunkelman, Everlong Records has curated a selection of new and pre-owned vinyl records, Blu-rays, CDs, VHS tapes, and more. The shop also contains a café offering coffee and bites to eat while guests browse. “It feels surreal to be starting our dream business,” said the founders in a statement shared with Berks Community Television. “Our vision is to create a space where customers can indulge in their love for music, movies, and art while enjoying a cup of coffee. This idea was truly born from a love of community.” All customers will receive a 10% discount on their purchase when they buy a discounted Everlong Records shirt.
UK | Barnes & Noble is bringing back nostalgic section from the ’90s—but shoppers fume ‘get ready to pay ridiculous prices.’ Barnes & Noble is branching out with the return of a beloved section. The news comes as the retailer is experiencing a financial resurgence. Barnes & Noble, the famed bookseller, has been in the midst of a comeback in recent years. The New York-based bookstore chain recently announced that it plans to open 60 new stores in 2025. Now, the company appears to be banking on an even wider range of entertainment. A user on social media shared the news that their local Barnes & Noble had just introduced a section for physical media. The user posted a photo to a the Physical Media Collectors Facebook group. In the photo, shelves can be seen carrying DVDs, Blu-Rays, and vinyl records. A sign designates the section “Movies & Music.”
Wichita Falls, TX | Antique record store owner on mission to preserve lost music format: One antique record store owner is on a mission to bring old music back to life by restoring and preserving 78 RPM vinyl records, some dating as far back as the 1800s. As Justin Goode spun Gene Autry’s Roly Poly from 1954, he said the experience felt like he was pulling back the curtain on time. The more research he did on the history of 78 RPM records, the more fascinated he became. That curiosity is what sparked his journey into music preservation. “I started it as a passion project to preserve these old records for posterity. I think it’s important that this music history is saved and there’s a place for it. There’s not another place in the area that deals in these records,“ Goode said. Nearly half of recorded music, spanning more than 60 years, lives on 78 RPM vinyl records.
Dalton, MA | Central Berkshire Record Show Spins Back on May 4: The Central Berkshire Record Show is returning on Sunday, May 4, for its fourth consecutive year. Hours are 10 to 4 at The Stationery Factory with VIP entry beginning at 8:30. This popular event has attracted music and vinyl record enthusiasts from all over the Northeast, with previous shows drawing in large crowds of music lovers looking for records, CDs and more. Food and drink including craft beverages will be available on site from Shire Tavern. “People should think of it like a craft fair except that the vendors are all selling records, CDs, or music paraphernalia,” organizer Andrew Garcia said. Garcia, owner of Berkshirecat Records, is looking forward to this year’s event and has been pleased with the growth each year. “We’re creating a space where vinyl collectors of all ages can connect each year, share their love of music, and potentially discover new music…”
Denver, CO | Vinyl Me, Please appears to enter liquidation amid accusations of ignoring customers, unfulfilled orders: The once-successful Denver-based vinyl record subscription service appears to be going through the liquidation process, with members scrambling to get refunds on outstanding orders and fees. Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) appears to have entered liquidation as reports of the company ignoring customers and not fulfilling paid-for orders pile up. A new report by the Denver Post details several customers who’ve filed complaints against the Denver-based vinyl record subscription service for allegedly not sending out paid orders, ignoring inquires and requests for refunds. Users have noted a general silence from the company’s HQ as the business has gone through major changes such as layoffs, lawsuits and dropping its signature record-of-the-month club format, this year. One Nashville-based subscriber Stewart Eastham told the Denver Post he has been after refunds on more than $1,000 in missing pre-orders and membership fees.
Auckland, NZ | Vinyl sale during NZ Music Month: Following the highly successful record fair at Howick Village in early March, record lovers might like to consider heading across Auckland for a sister event in Mt Albert. Recognised as the biggest and brightest record fair in Auckland, the next event on May 17 coincides with New Zealand Music Month. The Mt Albert Record Fair is held at the spacious Mt Albert War Memorial Hall and entry is free. Two of the regular vinyl vendors at the East FM Vinyl Records and Music Memorabilia Fair run the Mt Albert event and say “an incredible selection of vinyl records and other music products and memorabilia” will be on offer. The Mt Albert fair kicks off bright and early, with doors open from 8.30am to 3pm. “You should allow plenty of time to dig through the vast assortment of music,” say the organisers.
Toledo, OH | Glass City Record Show returns to the Stranahan: The Glass City Record Show, a long-standing Toledo tradition, returns to its new home on Sunday with its second event of the 2025 season. “We had a great, enthusiastic, and brave crowd come out in February, but the snow and ice kept some folks away,” Bonfiglio said. “Despite the weather, people gushed over the new location, the added space, and our vendors, who continue to bring great records, tapes, CDs, and more to the show. Now that the weather is less threatening, we hope those who missed our debut at the Stranahan will come out and see it for themselves.” After several decades at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Secor Road, the popular music event moved in 2025 following the sale of the event space last year. The Glass City Record Show, now in its 45th year and second under Bonfiglio’s direction, draws music enthusiasts of all ages, whether they are getting into vinyl or have been collecting for decades.
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