City Guide

If you happen to be in New Britain, CT for whatever reason, this place is a must visit!  Delicious sodas sold and bottled in house.  It’s like stepping back in time 50 years with natural cane sugar and the vintage soda signage.

This place was a pleasant surprise.  I ducked in here to check out the establishment in front (Warren’s Music) for records.  The records were all horrible by the way, but in back is a guitar repair workshop with vintage guitars strewn about and guitar parts times a million.  Lots of Gibsons and Fenders and odd-ball 60s Harmony knock-offs.  A bit smokey but you might find a gem or too.  If anything, you can drool at the restoration work he does on 60s Jazz Basses and Paul McCartney Hofners.

This was the first record store I went to in America EVER (San Francisco store). I had heard all about this spot before I arrived. I was not disappointed, however this was in 1999 and I was from Australia where hip-hop was quite hard to come by…  there are gems to be found in the stacks and stacks of records. You will find something to buy, be it a DVD, a magazine or something you’ve wanted for ages. I always pay Amoeba a visit when I’m in SF or LA, and you should too!

This was the first record store I went to in America EVER. I had heard all about this spot before I arrived. I was not disappointed, however this was in 1999 and I was from Australia where hip-hop was quite hard to come by…  there are gems to be found in the stacks and stacks of records. You will find something to buy, be it a DVD, a magazine or something you’ve wanted for ages. I always pay Amoeba a visit when I’m in SF or LA, and you should too!

This spot was pretty nice. Hit the new arrivals when you get there, lots of stuff. There were quite a few nice libraries when I went and a few sealed disco rarities on the wall. Reasonable prices compared to other shops in New York. I’m sure there’s something for everyone up in these crates. 4/5 for shops in NYC.

Used to be a lot better than it is now, somewhat dug out, but there are gems to be found there. Try get in the basement, that’s where there’s some heat…. 3/5. Hit this up after going to Big City and Good Records.

Wow, this is the spot right here. It’s not the most comfortable store to dig in, but it’s well worth the trek to the LBC to check out. The unpriced stuff gets priced on the spot with big white stickers, ending in a .99 always… you may spot Snoop or Young Einstein in the crates… there’s so much drama in the L-B-C, and it’s called Bagatelle.

Another must hit spot in LA. All genres. A solid dig, and the upstairs area has quite a selection of cheapies. Depending on when you hit it, and if lady luck is on your side, you may leave with something or nothing. Not a boutique, but with a reduction of about 80% of stock, it could be the next Good Records.

This is the spot right here! Murray is that dude!!!! + there are a LOT of records here, and it might not seem like much in terms of “instant finds”, but if you put in work, you will find something. The place just has to be seen even if you don’t buy anything. Family owned business. It might have been picked over in recent years, but the stories I’ve heard about this place are crazy! A must see spot, it’s like a boutique multiplied by the power of 10.

Might not be a 10/10 taco spot for the experts, but this spot held me down a number of times in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. A trusty stop, the burrito’s are solid, and if you eat in, you get the chips with your meal. Guzz, Einstein and I hit this up before a record fair one time. Guzzo tried tried to order his Burrito Halal, they weren’t fuckin’ with it. They put ice in the drinks, might not be clean. 7/10. Grimey and a true mexican experience for sure. The place looks like a old car yard converted into a taco spot, otherwise it might be a 6/10.

I ate here with Young Einstein (no homo). The line was very long, but he assured me it was worth it. As a tourist it was great ambiance and a true American style experience. The photos on the wall made it enjoyable. However, if I wanted a real weiner, I would have just posted a advertisment on the verygoodplus forums.

Prices at this spot are pretty regulated, but there are bargains and oddities to be found from time-to-time. The first time I went the wall was full of great records, the next time I went the wall was full of average records. It’s definitely worth a look. Solid rock and jazz section. Worth the trip out. 3/5 rating. Definitely not a Boutique.

Hands down my favorite store in California. Cool Chris always has something on the shelf and then something else behind the counter (no homo) to tickle your fancies. A dedicated stop every trip to California… If you’ve never been to GM, you need to add this to your list of places to visit at least once in your life. They’re also nice on the trade tip too, always fair trade values given.

Amazing store… Jared is that dude, lots of hip-hop, soul, funk, disco, grails and other niceness… good prices, good vibes.

Owned and operated by SS native Johnny Paycheck, this store has become the new mecca for Soul Strut heads.  If you are in town, you MUST hit this shop up.  It reminds me of The Sound Library in its hey day without the snooty employees.  Great records, tons of grails, and FAIR prices.  A+.

A must hit if you are near Reading or Limerick (god help if you are).  You never know what you will come across here.  Like all fleas, it has seen its glory days (grumpy old man rant), but you can come-up!

Storefront in Lansdale, PA that refurbishes Jukeboxes.  They have tons of 45s…. most are garbage but you might find a gem or two.  Open only on Saturdays for a couple of hours.

This is a new addition to the Lansdale main street drag moving into the old Impact Thrift spot.  This place is a junk shop / thrift store / antique shop with extremely affordable prices.  Usually mobbed with people who know what’s up so you must get lucky or persistent.

This was part of my circuit for many years.  Indoor fun in the cold months and outdoor fun in the summer months.  It’s a known pedophilia hang out so leave the seeds at home.  GET THERE EARLY!

One of the last few good record stores in PA if you ask me located in dicey Allentown, PA.  Like most places that have survived the recession, they are a bit on the ball with what they have in stock using the old Popsike cross check.  I liked it better when it was across the street with random piles of LPs and 12s everywhere.  Regardless, a must. Worth the road trip from NYC, NJ, etc.

Collection of Mennonite thrift stores in Souderton (Philly burbs no-man’s land).  I was killing it at this place in the early 00’s finding lots of Christian Psych records and weird high school productions.  They have been “eBay” friendly as of the past few years—so good stuff is few and far between.  Worth a peep if you are in the area, though.

Great historic restaurant in the heart of Sellersville adjacent to the fabled Sellersville Theater.  They have a killer antique bar with a huge selection of micro-brews and imports as well as yummy gourmet food.