Poughkeepsie, NY | Darkside Records finds a new home in Poughkeepsie this fall: The popular area record store is currently building its new store at 32 Cannon Street. Founded in January 2011 by Justin Johnson and Roberto Hull, Darkside Records quickly became the Hudson Valley’s largest brick‑and‑mortar independent music store. Originally located on Main Street, the store relocated in January 2016 to a spacious 6,000 sq ft facility at 611 Dutchess Turnpike. …City of Poughkeepsie posted on Facebook an update on Darkside Records. They featured the restoration of 32 Cannon Street becoming Darkside Records in their Buzz newsletter, and included some photos of the construction. Darkside Records plans on opening the new spot this fall.
Hoboken, NJ | This Hoboken Record Store is Celebrating 30 Years in Business: Whether you own a turntable or not, the comeback of vinyl is undeniable. Between chart-topping artists’ participation in Record Store Day and the tumblr-era explosion of the Crosley Voyager, vinyl records have been on a steady rise. Tunes record store in Hoboken has been in business since the 90s and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. …Chip Huisler, originally from Philadelphia and a longtime New Jersey resident, first ventured into the record-spinning business in college as a DJ. He originally joined his friend in the record store business in Marleton and Ocean City, eventually splitting as business partners in 2018. Today, he is the owner of Tunes record store in Hoboken, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this December.
Cliffside Park, NJ | Bergen County record store, originally opened in 1934, emptied with for rent sign in front: A longtime record store in Cliffside Park, believed by many to be the oldest in the United States, has seemingly closed. As of Aug. 15, a “for rent” sign was posted on the front of Music Country Records. The inside of the store appeared to be cleared out. Opened in Cliffside Park in 1934 by Anthony Taliaferro and his wife Elsie, Music Country Records has stood in the same Anderson Avenue storefront for decades. Eventually, it was passed down to Taliaferro’s daughter Joan Demarest, who began working in the store around the age of 10. Music Country is the oldest record store in the New York tri-state area, according to its website, and is believed to be the oldest in the United States.
East Lansing, MI | East Lansing record store planning for Taylor Swift’s upcoming album release. East Lansing’s Flat, Black, and Circular record store is preparing for another wave of “Swifties” as Taylor Swift announced her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release on October 3rd. The record store owner says Taylor Swift’s albums consistently sell well at his shop. Swift has joined the ranks of classic artists whose records “will always sell” according to the store owner. Fans were already excited about the announcement, with one calling it “a great birthday gift.” The announcement has already generated excitement among fans in the area. “I was pretty excited,” said Jamie Turner, a Swift fan. “Yesterday was actually my birthday, so I was like, ‘What a great birthday gift.'” “Swifties are awesome,” said Jon Howard, owner of Flat Black and Circular. “I can carry five to 10 of her titles, and I know they’ll all sell.”
Bristol, UK | Shop of the Week: Plastic Wax Records, Cheltenham Road: On Cheltenham Road, just up the road from the Arches, sits a legendary record shop which has served Bristol’s musical needs for over 40 years. Its blue and white sign reads Plastic Wax Records and its carefully curated interior contrasts with its modest exterior. Tuesday is a particularly busy day as it is the second Tuesday of the month, meaning that members can get 20 per cent off. The minute the doors open it doesn’t long for seasoned regulars and visitors to pour in and rifle through the layer upon layer of records. The shop is packed floor to ceiling with vinyl and CDs, sifted and individually cleaned by owner, Dave Kellard, and his team. Dave started working in the shop in 1978 as a Sunday job, when his friends founded the business, and then went on to run it in 1982.
Joliet, IL | Close out Summer with a Route 66 boutique shopping excursion. 7 can’t-miss niche stores along The First Hundred Miles: Audiophil’s Records. The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 is dotted with cozy antique stores, artisan boutiques and many other delightfully unexpected retailers. Gather your friends and close out the Summer season with a road trip to these eclectic specialty shops and quaint downtown stores, all located along The First Hundred Miles of America’s Mother Road. …Located in downtown Joliet, near the Rialto Square Theatre, you’ll find an independent record store, built on a family’s passion for music. At Audiophil’s you’ll be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable clerks who can help you find the vinyl you’ve been hunting for, or even help you discover a few new favorite records. Flip through boxes of diligently organized LPs, 45s and cassettes and sample your purchases at the in-shop stereo before settling on your purchases.
Cardiff, UK | Saved! Much-loved record shop facing closure finds a buyer. A much-loved Welsh record shop which announced it was up for sale has been saved after a buyer came to its rescue. The store, The Record Shop in Cardiff, has been a treasure trove for music lovers in the Welsh capital for decades. But when owner Pat decided to sell the business and retire after looking after the secondhand music shop in Inverness Place in the Roath area of the city for 40 years, it faced closure if no buyer could be found. Now, as the shop was looking to sell off its stock with a half-price sale, the sale was cancelled at short notice as the shop announced it had found a buyer. The news was posted on the shop’s Facebook page much to the delight of those who have shopped there through the decades.
The Saints Are Coming: Edsel Plans Skids CD Box Set, Vinyl Compilation. The prime work of Scottish punk band Skids will be celebrated by Demon Music Group with a new CD box set and vinyl compilation, out this fall. Boy, Man & Soldier: Skids 1978-1981 will offer, on five CDs, expanded editions of the group’s Virgin Records discography: Scared to Dance (1979), two pressings/mixes of Days in Europa (1979), The Absolute Game (1980) and Joy (1981). The discs are packaged in a 7″ x 7″ box featuring original album and single art. A companion best-of, Land, Sea & Sky: Skids Singles 1978-1981, offers a dozen of the A-sides featured on the box, pressed on saltire blue vinyl. Both packages were designed by Phillip Mandrell, with photographs by Virginia Turbett on each cover.
Edinburgh, UK | St James Quarter launches pop-up vinyl lounge with Edinburgh soul club DJs on the decks: As part of its 2025 Sessions, the St James Quarter is hosting a pop-up vinyl lounge featuring favourites from some of the city’s most avid collectors. The lounge opens tonight and features Beat Generation Records for the weekend—a project created by one of the founders of popular soul club La Beat. For the closing weekend, the founders of Umbrella Vinyl will be on the decks, hailing from their second-hand record shop in Tollcross. St James Quarter Sessions is the shopping centre’s free music festival in the heart of the city, which highlights a range of performances from tonight until 24 August.
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