Cliffside Park, NJ | North Jersey residents react to closure of decades-old Cliffside Park record store: Several North Jersey residents have taken to social media following the closure of a decades-old record store in Bergen County, shortly after the owner’s passing. As of Aug. 15, Music Country Records in Cliffside Park appeared to empty inside. A “for rent” sign was posted on the front window. This came just days after the death of 85-year-old owner Joan Demarest on Aug. 12. Music Country is the oldest record store in the tri-state area, its website said, and is believed to be the oldest in the United States. In the wake of the store’s apparent closure, several North Jersey residents have taken to social media to share stories about the historic business and express their sadness to see it go. “I live nearby and that’s where I got all my 45s when I was a kid,” wrote one Instagram user.
Charlottesville, VA | Hello Goodbye adds DIY vinyl to the retail record scene: On Fourth Street, around the backside of Tavern & Grocery restaurant, a sign with large type reads “vinyl records.” A thick arrow at the bottom points to the doorway of Hello Goodbye Records, an independent record shop that offers a selection of new and used vinyl. Inside, you’ll find welcoming smiles from co-owners Daniel and Lindsay Fitzgerald. In 2023, the Fitzgeralds opened Hello Goodbye Records across town in Market Square, “an iconic little Charlottesville place that’s had recording studios and all kinds of little artsy spots,” says Daniel. With community support, the store quickly outgrew its “little Chateau,” says the owner, and moved to a larger space at 108 Fourth St., where the couple could expand their business and be closer to the heart of downtown.
New Orleans, LA | Eddie 3 Way Records was once the spot to buy music in N.O. Mark “DJ Nu-Mark” Potsic, a hip hop producer, told Fuse TV in 2013 about a trip he took to New Orleans to find vinyl records. “We took a cab there. We find the dealer. He pulls a ladder out of the back of his yard and puts it on top of his roof,” Potsic said. “We ended up going on a balcony and into an attic. It was like the gateways to heaven parted. It was just beautiful—all 45s, all New Orleans-based funk and soul.” Potsic had just entered what was left of Eddie 3 Way Record Store, owned by Senais Lazard “Eddie 3 Way” Edwards. He opened the store in the 1960s to sell records, newspapers and to offer shoe shines—that’s why it was called Eddie 3 Way. In addition to the record store, Edwards owned Blue Notes Lounge. He was a licensed barber and professional tailor. He also had a radio show and a brief local TV dance show, “The Outer Limits,” which was similar to “Soul Train.”
Muncie, IN | Drop the Needle: Record Parlor of Muncie Spins New Life Into Downtown Music Scene. Downtown Muncie has a new groove. Vinyl enthusiast Derrick McNelly has opened Record Parlor of Muncie inside the Historic Rose Court building. McNelly says he has envisioned opening a downtown record store for 10 years. A longtime fan of Dan’s Downtown Records, McNelly felt a void when it closed in 2017. The grand opening of Record Parlor of Muncie was July 26 and featured an art gallery, live music and giveaways. The store is filled with puns and hidden Easter eggs—even the shop’s name is an acronym: RPM. …“The vision was always that opening a record store was rooted in supporting and promoting local,” McNelly says. “Providing a space that celebrates art and music is essential in a community.”
Wheeling, WV | Nail City Record to host listening parties for Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, and more. Nail City Record in Wheeling, West Virginia, has a couple of busy weeks ahead of them, as they are hosting listening parties for Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, and more. The Wheeling record shop will hold its first of four record listening parties on Thursday, August 21, for the release of Private Music by Deftones. Nail City will reopen the store at 11:30pm, with the album starting right at midnight. Exclusive event posters, lanyards, door hangers, event T-shirts, and a grand prize giveaway (details coming soon) will be available while supplies last. Indie Exclusive Vinyl, Standard Vinyl, CD, and Cassette available for pre-order now. This is the first Deftones studio album in five years. The next record release listening party will be for Teyana Taylor on Friday, August 22, from 6 pm-7 pm.
Milwaukee, WI | OMEN: A Destination for All Things Alternative Media and Fashion: Visitors are immediately hit with the scent of Halloween, which is fitting for the store’s celebration of all things spooky and strange. When one walks into South Milwaukee’s OMEN, they are immediately hit with the scent of Halloween, which is fitting for the store’s celebration of all things spooky and strange. Located at 1310 Milwaukee Ave., OMEN is a destination for alternative media and fashion, whether it be clothing, jewelry, records, movies, posters, books, self-care products and more. The store is open Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. …Gajewki’s partner Joe runs the record store side of things, which features carefully curated racks ranging from punk, metal, and industrial music to dark wave, electronic and post-punk. “Music is my husband’s passion,” Gajewski says.
Nairobi, KE | How Nairobi’s rare Vinyl haven is preserving African history: In the bustling Kenyatta Market of Nairobi, Kenya, one small record shop has become a sanctuary for African music lovers and historians alike. For more than three decades, James Rugami, better known as Jimmy, has curated one of the region’s rarest vinyl collections — safeguarding sounds that might otherwise have been lost to time. Rugami opened his store in 1989 as piracy swept through the music industry. He resisted cassettes and CDs, choosing instead to remain loyal to vinyl. “See when cassettes came and manufacturers started manufacturing cassette decks with two decks so that you can dub the cassette, that is what started killing musicians,” Rugami says. “With vinyl records you are sure to be dealing with the real thing… I did not move to cassettes, I did not move to CDs and I am still doing vinyl even today.”
Taylor Swift live updates: Fans’ most hilarious theories about her ‘Shiny Bug Collection’ of vinyl: Taylor Swift fans are convinced that she named her limited-edition vinyls “The Shiny Bug Collection” based on the little critters she knows “All Too Well” after her Eras Tour. Two new versions of her forthcoming “Life of a Showgirl” album went up on the singer’s website Monday after a mysterious hours-long countdown. Both sparkly record sets in “The Shiny Bug Collection”—one in the album’s mint-green color scheme, and the other in violet—sold out in minutes. The album drops Oct. 3. Taylor Swift fans are convinced that she named her limited-edition vinyls the “Shiny Bug Collection” based on the little critters she knows “All Too Well.”
Philadelphia, PA | Philadelphia’s 48 Record Bar Hits Atlantic City with Vinyl Night Pop-Up: 48 Record Bar, the stylish cocktail and listening lounge perched above Old City’s iconic Sassafras and recently named one of Philadelphia’s Best Bars by Bon Appétit, is bringing its unique vibe down the shore for a special one-night-only pop-up event. On Wednesday, August 27, from 7 PM until midnight, the venue will host 48 Record Bar x Anchor Rock Club: Vinyl Nite! at Atlantic City’s legendary Anchor Rock Club (247 S. New York Ave), an independent live music venue located just steps from the historic boardwalk. The event will feature 48 Record Bar’s Creative Director Joey Sweeney alongside guest selector Daniel Giangrandi spinning vinyl throughout the night. Attendees can also browse and purchase fresh vinyl crates, featuring a curated mix of classic albums and handpicked selections. Walk-ins are welcome, and there is no cover charge.
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