Like people record stores come in all shapes and sizes. The best one at my home base is a book store with a record section. It not super neat and it is a kind of place where you have to hunt through tightly crowded bins, rather than simply flick through them. Nor are they arranged into perfect categories with library like precision.
The sweetener is that they do have some rare records and also serve good coffee.
The store owner ‘is the real deal’, he loves music and records both are his ‘consuming passions’. He is affable and most engaging. He remembered me even though it was quite a few months since my last visit.
Customers enjoying the record store experience
Rather than just a transaction the record store experience is humanizing. To pause, to have a chat and get some recommendations on music you may not have considered. You may depart with more than lps, with some feeling of connection. Not as 'ships in the night' rather with a connected experience. That is of course if you chose to engage. Maybe if the vibe is right you might also engage with some of the other customers.
I also find the chance to play a record and check its condition and sound very valuable. Part of the charm of a record store is taking a punt on what you might get, not playing it safe with your well worn favorite. There are discoveries you might make such as finding a pressing that sounds way better than what you have heard before, such Beatles mono first press, and brilliant example of Belafonte at Carnegie Hall.
I spent a total of over 5 hours in the most disorganized ramshackle record store I have ever visited. I identified gems buried knee deep in lps really only fit for land fill. It is all about the mindset. Sure it was dirty and cramped and even an awkward exercise at times. I also sneezed a lot from the dust. Yet it was like a musical treasure hunt, the musical rewards arose from making the effort.
It was with sadness that I heard that the store Real Groovy in Wellington New Zealand shut down. Many good times were had there, and dont ask the airline how money I was charged for my excess baggage! They even had live acts playing in store and sold cool books, even doc martins etc. They were 'cool for cats' as the UK Squeeze song goes.
Some examples of the music in store follow:
Record stores may the force be with you!