Record Stop Relocates to Shirley

After nearly four dynamic decades of introducing Sachemites to rarefied music that would, undoubtedly, leave an indelible imprint on them, and forever weave itself into the tapestry of their lives, Lake Ronkonkoma's has sold its final White Stripes CD or Beatles vinyl.

However, Record Stop is well on its way to embarking on a second incarnation as a wholesale warehouse located at 45 Ramsey Road,  Unit No. 8 in Shirley.  In addition, the company will continue to expand its online music distribution business that is run by Record Stop owner Bruce Berg's son, Jeffery, 30.  For the past eight years he has helped bring this music mecca to a whole new generation by selling merchandise from the store's extensive inventory over the internet on CD Giveaways.

Now, both Berg's warehouse, and his son's online store are housed under one roof; along with Berg's son-in-law's contribution to the family business.  Mike Gomez is married to Berg's daughter, Janelle, who also works in her father's store. 

He previously worked in the record industry as a production manager and label manager for the past 15 years. His new MonoStereo wholesale distribution and record label management company will be working to bring bands and artists on board who haven't been signed by major labels, in order to do physical and digital distribution. 

"We'll be working hand-in-hand to help guide them, and get them the coverage they need if they can't get distribution through a major label," said Gomez.

This will be a new avenue for Record Stop in which to navigate the rapidly evolving music industry. MonoStereo is currently accepting demos from bands and artists via email.

"As it continues to grow, the word will spread, and people can come down and get whatever their flavor is," Gomez said.

The warehouse currently holds over 150,000 pieces of vinyl and 200,000 to 300,000 CDs, which sell for $9.98 or less. Many are sold for as little as $2.

On Saturday, Oct. 23 a grand opening and surprise costume party was given for Berg by his wife of 35 years, Janet, at the new location.  About 75 friends, family members and past employees attended.

"It's a new beginning after 37 years," Janet said. "Even with all the downloading there are still fans that want to feel the music; have that connection ... otherwise they feel like it's disposable."

Berg's daughter, Janelle spoke about her father's deep connection to Record Stop. 

"I feel like for my dad, it would have been too hard to cut it off; it's his baby.  He loves it.  The store is his third child," she said.

Berg, 62, began his career by selling 8-tracks on the side of the road in the early '70s, and opened Record Stop with $60, a dream and a hunch it would work.

"It was a special store for many years," he said. "It was the right time, and the right place.  The world is not the same anymore. ... I had the greatest job, the greatest people, the music and I made a living:  What more could I ask for?"

"We're trying to get the word out that we're not done, and it's just changing — probably for the better," said Jeff Berg.

For many of the older generation this transition has been a lot harder to take. 

"It's the end of an era," said a man at the grand opening, who asked to be known only as Jimmy, "That little kid over there," he said, pointing to a toddler dressed up as Elvis, complete with stick on sideburns, "He will never know what a record store is."

One thing just about everyone can agree on is what partygoer Nancy Kennedy said, "Record Stop was an institution for anyone who went to Sachem."