Greatest record store of your youth?

Larree's post about Aron's in his newbie thread made me wonder, what is the greatest record store of your youth?  The long-gone, long defunct hole in the wall that had the best ambiance and coolest people, not mention great music.

My pick would go to Northern Lights in Saint Paul....where Husker Du hung out and where i frittered away many a day....bought my first CD here too in the 80s....they had so much great vinyl, with a heavy indie and punk focus.   Now it's a salon and rap store. 

Here's the story about Husker with photos....


What was your "greatest" record store of your youth?

There was a used record store in Cincinnati called Ozarka Records.  Loved that place and got many a prog album there.  There was also a new record/CD store right down the block from Ozarka, whose name I can't remember any longer that was also really cool and also had a fairly decent prog selection.  And to top it all off, sandwiched in between the two was the Fantasy Emporium (a comic book shop).  All my shopping needs in one city block. 

Wow Jim, great story and man that place had atmosphere! Love looking at old beat up American stores. Pure soul right there.

I remember growing up, me and a couple of friends in the know all went into the big city(Copenhagen) looking for one particular yellow sign that said GUF. This place was nirvana for folks who dig everything under the sun, even if they specialized in obscure rock from the 70s. This was of course down to the two guys running things, who had seen just about any interesting act you could ever think of. Man some of the stories they've told me.... I don't think I've ever been as jealous as one time where they told me about an open air Floyd gig they saw at the start of the 70s. Or maybe the TD gig in Hamburg trumps that, I don't know. Man those guys had stories, and a huge part of buying music back then was also about that. Talking music, spending 3 to 4 hours in there. Plus these guys smoked inside, drank beer and encouraged others (who could behave themselves of course), to do so as well. Far away from being a bar though, but the feeling of enjoying a couple of beers flipping around this labyrinth like store, with music stacked to the ceiling, that felt like freedom to me.
It's closed down now sadly, but I will never forget the good times I had inside GUF.

Let me say too, that this thread has really lifted my spirits today, if not made me a little nostalgic.  thanks Jimbo.

There's a shop called Vintage Vinyl that's pretty cool. Real nice and big selection.



I also used to go to Half Priced Books, which had used vinyl and books and other stuff for cheep. Usually had a limited selection, but cheep. Haven't gone sense I moved from Texas to St.Louis, as they don't have them here.

The best record shop of my youth was called 'Davids Records' in Bracknell, England. This was just pre CD. It was very small, but I probably bought most of metal in there, and a fair amount of prog. It also sold tee-shirts and posters. It was totally independent and tucked away in the arse end of town. It stunk of old vinyl sleeves and dope, and there was usually a small gaggle of punks sat around drinking cider and Special Brew.

The owner was a rockerbilly with a huge quiff who had a very broad knowledge of music. It was the only shop in town that had 'The Lamb lies down on Broadway' at the time. My mum ventured in there to buy it for me for Christmas. 1984 I think. It later became Cave Records, and the window display was a huge ghoul dressed in monks robes. It was a big hang out for local goths at that point.

Pittsburgh still has Jerry's

I used to visit a record store called 'Lost in Music'. It was close to Glasgow University in Ashton Lane near Byres Road. I spent many hours in it and discovered only fairly recently that the guy who owned it had sold up and moved to live in France.

I was introduced to Porcupine Tree in there - I bought 'Coma Divine' which was a signed copy (apparently) - I sold it on ebay later. Of course now I regret doing that

The bloke who worked in it knew me a little and would let me hear stuff he thought I might like e.g. Ozric Tentacles etc.

I miss that place and it held many memories for me over the years.

Anyone remember Musicland?  They used to be in strip malls all over the Midwest U.S.  I guess they also owned Sam Goody although I think those stores were more in the Northeast.  Musicland went bankrupt and FYE owns Sam Goody now.

Yep, Musicland, Record Shop, and Great American Music were typical "mall" shops in the suburbs.

To get to the gritty, cooler stores you had to venture into the city.  At least around here.  Saint Paul and Mpls had some decent ones.  A few were open late night so you could go out, party, and then hit the record store late before heading home..