San Antonio, TX | Best Record Store: Batcave Vinyl. Vinyl enthusiasts aren’t afraid to dig for gold. Give ‘em a dimly lit shop cluttered with crates full of vintage releases, and most are happy to while away the time looking for elusive additions to their collections. Tucked into the cluster of specialty shops which make up the Alley on Bitters, Batcave Vinyl is just such a digger’s paradise. Now in its ninth year, the business offers an abundance of vintage vinyl going back to the 1930s. Two nuggets that stuck out on a recent visit were a pristine copy of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Jazz Impressions of Japan and a copy of the Scorpions’ Tokyo Tapes double-signed by the whole band. In addition to all that vinyl, owner Blaine Pendergraff also stocks CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, used stereo equipment and such a dizzying array of memorabilia—from gig posters to signed drumheads—that it fills both the walls and the ceiling.
Santa Cruz, CA | Vinyl Destination: The Streetlight Records empire marks 50 years of music education. Since 1997, there has been a Streetlight Records in Santa Cruz. However, the history of the Streetlight chain goes back much further. One can tell by the profusion of 50th anniversary T-shirts now for sale—and by this weekend’s celebration, half a century after the original San Francisco shop opened in 1975. Robert Fallon started Streetlight Records in Noe Valley 50 years ago. A second San Francisco store opened on Market Street in the Castro four years later. The San Jose location emerged in 1981 and moved to a new location in 1992, followed by a Santa Cruz store in 1997. Those last two are now the only ones left. Though both San Francisco shops are long gone, veteran Streetlight folks still refer to the Noe Valley store as “The Mother Ship,” since it opened before there was any serious used vinyl industry of any sort. Thanks to San Jose and Santa Cruz, its legacy endures.
Essex, UK | Smokin’ Roses vintage shop opens in Saffron Walden: A new shop that sells vintage clothing and vinyl records has opened in Saffron Walden. Smokin’ Roses, in Rose and Crown Walk, aims to offer a completely different shopping experience for the town. An open evening was held on Friday, July 18, and was attended by more than 100 guests who enjoyed drinks and music while exploring the collection of vintage clothing and vinyl records. Smokin’ Roses is run by Jessica Harvey, who has co-founded the shop with Saffron Walden musician Elliot Porter. Jessica said: “The passion for vintage fashion is at the heart of what we do at Smokin’ Roses. “We believe that every piece tells a story, and our ethos of focusing on second-hand items is very important to us as well as embracing sustainable fashion.” …Jessica added: “There is something for everyone to find and love.”
Northwich, UK | The Doghouse vinyl record shop opening in Northwich: A new vinyl record shop is launching in Northwich and it already has a celebrity fan. The Doghouse, opening upstairs at the Salty Dog on High Street on Saturday, July 26, is the brainchild of Jason Davies, owner of Rare Vitamin Records, and a tireless promotor of locally grown musical talent. Partnering Jason in the venue is Paul Swinnerton, a Blackpool-based musician, record industry stalwart, and longtime friend of the Salty Dog’s owner, Chris Mundie. The shop will be the new headquarters of Rare Vitamin, and set above Northwich’s top music pub, there is scope to host all sorts of pop-up events and launches. To get the ball rolling, The Doghouse is throwing a launch party on Saturday, July 26, with well-known and up-and-coming local musicians at the decks.
Glenside, PA | Vinyl Chickie Named Philly Region’s Best Record Store: Philadelphia Magazine gave its “Best of Philly” award to the Glenside shop, which has been open for only a few months. Vinyl Chickie has only been open for a few months. But that didn’t stop the shop from receiving recognition as the best record store in the Philadelphia region. Philadelphia Magazine gave the Glenside shop its “Best of Philly” award for the top record store in the region. “OMG!, OMG!, OMG!,” Owner Lisa Schaffer said after hearing about the announcement. “So grateful.” Here’s what the magazine said about Vinyl Chickie: “Glenside’s Lisa Schaffer has always been a music fan: She’s professionally photographed pop stars such as Taylor Swift and worked at a Chestnut Hill record store for six years. Now she’s opened this adorable record paradise with a tightly curated collection of new and near-perfect-condition used vinyl that includes a local section, plus turntables and all sorts of fun music gifts, like Grateful Dead tarot cards and song lyric stickers.”
Petaluma, CA | Vino and vinyl make magic at new Petaluma tasting room: Montagne Russe means ‘roller coaster’ in French, a fitting description of the winery’s long, bumpy journey to its new home in downtown Petaluma. With the opening of Montagne Russe Winery’s tasting room two weeks ago, Petaluma has not only gained a brand new place to taste delicious Pinots, Chardonnays and Syrahs. Along with north Petaluma’s Rain Dog Records and downtown Petaluma’s Paradise Found Records, the town has also just welcomed its third used record store—officially making Petaluma the most record-store-friendly city in the North Bay. Montagne Russe Winery & Record Lounge—that’s the official name—officially marked its Petaluma grand opening on Saturday, July 12. For several hours, a capacity crowd amassed to sample winemaker-owner Kevin Bersofsky’s award-winning wines—and also to listen to his collection of more than 400 vinyl LPs.
Bloomsburg, PA | Bloomsburg record store owner reacts to Ozzy Osbourne’s passing: The music world, including fans in central Pennsylvania, is remembering heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath. Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, including his work with Black Sabbath and solo. At Endless Records in Bloomsburg, owner Nick McGaw is looking through his inventory of Ozzy works after hearing the news of the singer’s passing. “It’s sad, he has a great legacy though. I think that he had an end of a career that is really rare. He went out with a giant tribute concert in his hometown. You couldn’t ask for a more storybook ending to a long career,” said Nick McGaw, Endless Records co-owner. According to the Osbourne family. The 76-year-old passed away on Tuesday, surrounded by his loved ones. The so-called Prince of Darkness was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease back in 2019. McGaw says when legends like Ozzy pass away, people come in and buy their albums. He says it seems that people don’t appreciate certain works until that person is gone.
Arlington, VA | A Japanese-Inspired Record Bar With Sushi Opens in Arlington. Oasis: The Listening Bar is the latest from the owners of Sisters Thai. Vinyl bars are so in right now. The latest? Oasis: The Listening Bar, a Japanese-inspired record bar serving over-the-top sushi and sake flights in Clarendon from the owners of Sisters Thai and Floré Cafe. Owners Sumontita “Tammie” Disayawathana and Jaturon Srirote used vinyl to decorate their Thai restaurant when they opened in Mosaic District a decade ago. But at Oasis, they’re actually putting it to use. A small stage will host both live artists and vinyl DJs, who will begin spinning Friday evening sets on July 25. Expect jazz, but also a range of genres: “We’re going to bring in the DJs and try to see what suits our ambience, but be open for a lot of different kinds of music,” Disayawathana says. …“Just as an oasis provides a liberating and joyful respite amidst a desert, we envision our restaurant as a sanctuary.”
Nina Hagen’s ‘Personal Jesus’ receives first-ever vinyl release for 70th birthday: To mark Nina Hagen’s 70th birthday, Grönland Records has released her 2010 album “Personal Jesus” on vinyl for the first time. The LP is available now in a limited edition pressing on 180g white vinyl with a thick gatefold sleeve. This special edition includes the bonus track “I Am Born to Preach the Gospel”, a cover of the Washington Phillips original. Originally released digitally and on CD in 2010, “Personal Jesus” features Hagen’s distinctive interpretations of gospel, blues, and rock standards.
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