A Tale of Two Record Stores

If somebody told me as a kid that record stores would be in danger of going extinct, I’d have thought they were flat-out nuts. But sadly, record stores, along with book stores, are being greatly hurt by the internet. The majority of young kids would rather download their music and listen to their iPods rather than going out and graze through records and compact discs at a store. I can’t begin to tell you the number of hours I’ve logged in at record stores throughout my life, flipping through albums, looking at covers, reading liner notes and talking to the people that work there. Record stores can be a real social experience of finding new and old music and meeting like-minded people. So it’s sad to see record stores shrinking.

In the last couple weeks there’s been news that two well-known record stores were leaving their retail spaces. On January 26th Ken Mac reported from his great photo blog, GVDP, that the word on the street was saying that iconic record store, Bleecker Bob’s was closing and that a Starbucks was moving in. Luckily, this turned out to be somewhat wrong. What is happening is Bleecker Bob’s is looking for a place in the East Village due to the crazy-ass rents in the West Village. They’re not planning on closing, but they are definitely moving out of this space that they’ve inhabited for over thirty years.

After that news, Jeremiah Moss reported four days later that East Village Rockit Scientist Records was closing it’s location on St. Marks, where they’ve been since 2002 (the shop was first opened on Carmine St. in 1996.) Their lease is ending and owner John Kioussis tried for a rent reduction, but the landlord won’t budge. So it’s closing on March 31st. John’s going to mail order for awhile and continue to look for a new spot for his fine record store.

So, hopefully these two places will live on, but I wanted to get photos and document both of them before they left the spaces they were in. And so, it’s off we go.

I thought we'd first travel over to the East Village and check out Rockit Scientist Records. I've always loved the name of that shop. The gate is open, let's go inside.

As you can see, it's a long narrow railroad space in here.

Here's the front counter, Aaron was showing long-time customer John an album.

As you can see, the store has a great selection of compact discs, one's you won't find on Amazon or at a Barnes and Noble.

And there's also a lot of albums in here, definitely something you won't find at Barnes & Noble or at a Best Buy. One of my favorite things to do in record stores is to look at album covers, let's check out a few.

A classic cover, The New York Dolls first album. I remember listening to this in Peoria when I was in high school. Never dreamed I'd be looking at it in New York City decades later.

The Immortal Otis Redding. That says it all.

I've never seen this Bo Diddley record before. That's what's so fun about going to record shops, you always see something you've never seen before. Now I'm thinking about the New York Doll's cover of "Pills."

Here's the Rolling Stones "Satanic Majesties Request" with the original 3-D cover. I had this as a kid and traded it for a bag of pot when I was around 15-years-old. This one's going for 75 bucks! I should've held on to it, as I remember it was kind of shitty weed that I got for it!

I love the hand-lettered record dividers in here!

Owner John Kioussis holds up my purchase of the Dave Clark Five to shield himself from the TMW camera! The first 45 I ever got was "Catch Us If You Can," by the Dave Clark Five and it's on this album. I never got it back when I was a kid, but I have it now. Thanks to John for letting me come in and take photos. He's a great guy and has a lot of entertaining stories about owning a record store in New York. I told him he should pitch it as a movie idea. If you want to check out and find some cool records and compact discs here, the clock is running, Rockit Scientist Records is closing on March 31st. Stop in and make a purchase while you can.

Joey sells records out in front of the store. He's a nice, soft-spoken fellow who says he's been doing this for 22 years. I asked him what he thought about what was happening to the neighborhood and he thought about it and then said with a shake of his head, "It sure is changing." Those four words pretty much sum it all up. Okay over to Bleecker Bob's.

And here we are at Bleecker Bob's on Third Street in the West Village.

Bleecker Bob opened his first record store here in New York in 1968 on Bleecker St. It's been in this location for over thirty years.

I love old cash registers and this one's a beauty.

Here's something you don't see much of these days, vintage vinyl 45's.

And here's something you pretty much only see in Bleecker Bob's, 8 track tapes!

A poster of The Ramones from the late '70's. Hard to believe that Tommy Ramone is the only one still alive.

There's a huge selection of CD's available here.

And row after row of vinyl to peruse.

Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. The Hawks later evolved into The Band.

More hand-lettered dividers in here. Hey, The Yardbirds are in the back.

I've never seen this Yardbirds compilation, so that's my purchase from Bleecker Bob's for the day. I've always loved them and I traveled to Memphis with their drummer, Jim McCarty back in the early '90's. A story I need to write up one of these days.

There's a place in Bleecker Bob's where you can leave flyers and cards...hey, looky there! If you know of a space in the East Village, feel free to call Bleecker Bob's and let them know, the phone number is below. I wish them good luck with the move and will be anxious to see the new store. For now, I'm glad the old one is still there, you should check it out while you can.

Rockit Scientist Records
33 St. Marks Place (Near Second Ave.)
212-242-0066

Bleecker Bob’s
118 W. 3rd St (Between Sixth Ave. and MacDougal St.)
212-475-9677

Further Reading: EV Grieve, Racked and Record Store Day.

High fidelity,
Can you hear me?

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

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Bonus Photo!

I saw this on my way home from Bleecker Bob's. I think I'll call it: "Irony."

Comments

[Tripping With Marty]

@Ken K. in NJ: Ha ha ha! Perfect link, thanks! And yes, TO VINYL!

[Canon With Flip Screen]

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