Record Stores: What's The Appeal?

Prior to opening Record Reserve, a new record shop in East Northport, I needed some reassurance to be certain my expedition into the independent record store was valid. I often read the Quotes section on RecordStoreDay.com for inspiration. Here are a few of my favorite statements:

"There’s nothing as glamorous to me as a record store. When I recently played Amoeba in LA, I realised what fantastic memories such a collection of music brings back when you see it all in one place. This is why I’m more than happy to support Record Store Day and I hope that these kinds of stores will be there for us all for many years to come. Cheers!" - Paul McCartney

"Record stores keep the human social contact alive it brings people together. Without the independent record stores the community breaks down with everyone sitting in front of their computers" - Ziggy Marley

“I have watched independent record stores evaporate all over America and Europe. That's why I go into as many as I can and buy records whenever possible. If we lose the independent record store, we lose big. Every time you buy your records at one of these places, it's a blow to the empire.” - Henry Rollins

Not only are record collectors still searching out vintage and rare pressings, new vinyl sales increased by 39 percent, according to Nielsen Soundscan, from 2.8 million units in 2010 to 3.9 million units in 2011 in the US. Results for 2012 show another increase to about 4.6 million units sold, a further 27.8% increase from the swell of 2011.

With the increased popularity of music streaming, diminishing CD production, and falling mp3 sales, vinyl records seem to be the remaining choice for physical media - and for good reason - records are fun, and sound awesome!