Review: Logan Records on Fullerton Ave.

Records Stores seem to be dwindling in quantity, or are they? So, the chain records stores are gone like Rose Records, Tower, & Virgin Records just to name a few. However, we still have some active open independent record stores in the Chicago area. This past Saturday, I went visit Logan Records located at 2532 W Fullerton in Logan Square. If you want to know what happened to several other record stores across the country, please locate the documentary “I Want That Record!” online and watch it! 

Often independent record stores are a little grungy, boxes of vinyl everywhere, dusty, somewhat disorganized, however that is not what I found when I walked into Logan Records. It was quite clean, organized, signs in place, nice hardwood floors, fun 50ish looking overhead lamps. There was a bin of cds in the front of the store so I picked through them and found a few 1.99 cds that looked somewhat interesting (Beatnik Filmstars & The Panoply Academy). Below the cd section, were a bunch of children’s dvds that my nine year old son fished through. There was also a large selection of 45’s with no sleeves placed on numerous shelves for picking through. They were priced at 25 cents each or 10 cents 10 plus 45s.  

The back of the store was dedicated to all sorts of vinyl. Most looked like they were in good condition, with plastic sleeves on them and sealed as well. I did not spend that much time going through all the vinyl as there was lots of different genres to flip thru like country, punk, blues, jazz, indie rock and more. Between the front and back of the store, there were shelves filled with fun toy memorabilia you can purchase as well. I saw 2 games called ‘Sharky’s Diner’ and “The Game Of Life’. Lots of superhero trading cards, some Pee Wee’s Playhouse fun paks, Pop Rocks, and those crank toddler radio’s that play London Bridges. Lots of square buttons featuring all sorts of rock bands. I did find a DVD called ‘The Legend of Cool Disco Dan’ narrated by Henry Rollins that I regret not purchasing.  

After we made a small purchase, our receipt was stamped with a ‘secret code’ which allowed us to enter the secret free Arcade in the back of the store. You may not even notice it is there, because there is a wall and a door that shuts it off from the rest of the records store. We popped in the ‘secret code’ and entered a small very dark room that featured about 30 vintage arcade games. The only light in the room came from the light of the arcade machines. Here are some of the games they had in this small room: Frogger, Elevator Action, Paperboyz, Pac Man, Burgertime, Bump N Jump, Bubbles, Magic Sword, and 3 pinball machines. Well, I should say 4 pinball machines; the Dolly Parton pinball machine was not working.  The other pinball machines were Pinbot, No Fear, and my favorite The Who’s Pinball Wizard.  

Since you made your store purchase, this entitles you to all the free arcades in that small room. I found myself attached to the The Who’s Pinball Wizard, loved it!! I did play some of the other games in the room with my son, but I kept going back to the pinball machine. There is a small bathroom in the arcade room and a couple of folding chairs to sit on, but that’s it. It kinda got stuffy in that room as I did not see any windows in that space.  Browsing for vinyl and playing vintage arcade games made for a fun afternoon.  

I am glad we checked out Logan Records store and will gladly return for a visit. The store is open Monday thru Friday noon to 9pm and Sunday’s noon to 7pm. There is only street parking available. Go to their Facebook page for more information. 

Don’t forget to tune into WXAV (88.3fm or @ www.wxav.com) every Wednesday night from 7pm to 9pm for Alternative Sounds For Your Head with host radioruta. Alternative, indie, new wave, punk, electronic music and more!!  Also, Music While U Work Thursday mornings 9am to 11am.