In rotation: 9/3/26

Newton, NJ | The Vinyl Chapter to celebrate grand opening with five days of events: Newton record store The Vinyl Chapter will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 3-7 with special events, live music, author appearances and fundraisers benefiting local organizations. The Vinyl Chapter, a new record store at 221 Spring St. in Newton, will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 3-7 with five days of special events, live music, author appearances and fundraisers. The celebration will include a number of promotions and activities, including a new loyalty card program, free goodie bags while supplies last and a fundraiser for Ginnie’s House Children’s Advocacy Center. Ten percent of sales throughout the weekend will be donated to the organization.

Birkenhead, UK | Birkenhead record shop owner shares three top tips for vinyl collectors: “There is still good value and bargains to be had in the world of records.” The owner of one of Merseyside’s most legendary record shops has shared his top tips for people looking to start collecting vinyl. Ben Savage, 30, from Rock Ferry, became the shop manager of Skeleton Records when he was 22 and the owner when its founder John Weaver died in January 2022. Skeleton Records, also known as Skellies, was founded in 1972 and its musical history has cemented its status as a legendary spot to generations of record buyers. From the Sex Pistols to tricking bailiffs to save their extensive stock, Skeleton Records has survived and evolved throughout the 54 years the institution has been in existence.

Shrewsbury, UK | New chapter for Shrewsbury independent book shop and record store: An established Shrewsbury independent book shop and record store is on the move to new town centre premises. Left for Dead is relocating to newly-refurbished retail premises at 58 Wyle Cop, marketed by Towler Shaw Roberts. It represents a short move for the shop, having previously been based at nearby 14 Wyle Cop for more than 10 years. Left for Dead’s new ground floor premises, which provide versatile open plan accommodation, extend in total to 362 sq ft. Josh Hyde, who handled the letting for TSR, said: “The property occupies a sought after and prominent location on the popular Wyle Cop.”

Macon, GA | Echoes of the past: Macon marks Black Business Month with a downtown rebound: Sitting behind the counter at Old School Music Headquarters, Lafayette Haynes is surrounded by his lifelong obsession. Plastic bins are packed with thousands of vinyl LPs, with overflow albums stacked on top. Cassette tapes are piled high in wooden cubbies, while bundles of 45 singles and CDs fill other shelves. The walls are a collage of the past, papered over with vintage concert promos and photos of musical greats. Every tightly wedged corner of this Second Street shop stands as a testament to Haynes’ devotion to music. But it’s a monument to something deeper, too: his stand against injustice. Back in the 1960s, Haynes was tired of the mistreatment Black customers often faced in white-owned establishments, so he decided to start his own business.

Seattle, WA | Skrillex releases exclusive ‘SOMA’ vinyl and merch through Seattle’s Zion’s Gate Records: Skrillex has put out a Skrillex SOMA vinyl release in partnership with Seattle’s Zion’s Gate Records for a one-off in-store exclusive of the Skrillex SOMA vinyl, along with matching t-shirt and hoodie merch. …Notably, the Skrillex SOMA vinyl drop was strictly in-store only, with no online availability, and each customer was limited to one vinyl per person. Photos of Skrillex himself holding the record circulated online in the hours after the launch. Meanwhile, the Seattle shop leaned into the drop with early lineups snaking around the block, echoing the queues that once formed around Skrillex’s biggest album drops. Beyond that, the physical-first strategy tracks with a wider return to tangible merchandise across dance music, from limited vinyl to boutique zines and store-only apparel.

Brooklyn, NY | A Cult-Favorite Brooklyn Record Store Just Quietly Opened on the Upper East Side: Upper East Siders who want to spend an afternoon flipping through crates have long had to get on a train first. That’s no longer the case. A record store with a devoted following among New York collectors has opened a second location in the neighborhood. Human Head Records is open at 455 E. 83rd St., between First and York avenues, from noon to 8 p.m. daily. The store opened the space on Aug. 1 and has been running seven days a week since. The Brooklyn original opened in 2013 on Johnson Avenue, launched by Travis Klein and Steve Smith. Klein, who had been selling off his own collection online after losing a job, told Bushwick Daily at the time that the idea was to stock the classics that collectors kept striking out on.

EU | EU packaging rules raise costs for independent labels and record stores: Cross-border sellers may need an Authorized Representative in each member state. New European Union packaging rules could create substantial additional costs for independent labels, record stores, and other small businesses selling directly across EU borders. …Under the rules, an EU company selling directly to consumers in another member state must appoint an Authorised Representative in each country where it operates. The requirement also applies to non-EU businesses selling directly to consumers within the union, though business-to-business commerce is excluded. Depending on providers and scale, representation may cost hundreds or thousands per country annually, creating concerns among smaller sellers.

Las Vegas, NV | Vinyl Room in Las Vegas brings back the art of spinning records: It’s safe to say what’s old is new again. Nostalgia is on a high lately, and one of the biggest trends making a comeback is the art of spinning vinyl. Yup, putting the needle on the record is back and we’re loving it! One such place celebrating this is the new Vinyl Room. …“Vinyl Room brings music, food and nightlife together in a way that’s unique to Las Vegas,” said Kurt Melien, president of Live Nation Las Vegas. “Inspired by Japanese hi-fi listening lounges, it’s a place where music is meant to be enjoyed, not just heard. We created a destination where guests can have a great meal and appreciate incredible music and spend the evening with friends in a space designed by people who live and breathe music.”

Erie, PA | The Erie Record Riot! Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Sat, October 3rd at Perry Hi-Way Hose. A giant record store lands in Erie! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!

Follow The Vinyl District on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE, Threads HERE, Bluesky HERE, and X/Twitter HERE.