Locally Owned Albany Record Stores

Saturday April 21st is Record Store Day, it's purpose is to celebrate the art of music. The day brings together over 700 independently owned record stores in the United States. Many stores are celebrating with special appearances, performances, vinyl releases and CD releases. There are just a few locally owned record stores around the Capital Region, find out where they are.

In searching the internet and yellow pages for Capital Region record stores, one thing comes to mind. There aren't many in fact I could only find just over ten stores and that includes the big box stores. Go back 20 years and do that search again you would have found 3 times as many record stores around Albany.

The Last Vestige Music Shop.

Located at 173 Quail Street in Albany near the cross streets of Washington and Western.  According to the stores website, they have been in the record store business for 25 years and specialize in vinyl.   Find every type of genre imaginable with a very knowledgeable staff. The store is open Monday-Saturday 11a-7p and Sunday noon-5p.

 

 

 

 

Blue Note Record Shop

 

 

This little shop has been in the Capital Region for over 60 years. Located at 156 Central Avenue, the store is run by the original owners son and carry over 100,000 titles.  If there is a record you need to find, Blue Note should be your first stop. They carry every hit since 1940's to the present, sell 45's and lps plus CD's. The store prides itself that it carries nothing used and never have.  Open Tuesday - Saturday 10a-6p, closed Sunday and Mondays.   www.bluenoterecordshop.com.

 

 

 

 

DISC GO ROUND

Located in the 20 mall in Guilderland, Disc Go Round has a good selection of used CD's cassettes, records, DVD's VHS, Posters and other small items.   The store mostly specializes in Used, but there is a limited section for new music.  Disc Go Round offers listening stations throughout the store to listen before you purchase.  If you shop the store often they offer a frequent customer card, where you purchase 15 cd's and get one free. Hours are Monday-Friday 10a-9p,  Saturday 10a-8p, Sunday 12p-5p.   518-452-0338.

Today the local record store is rare.  Even F.Y.E. whose parent company Transworld was founded and located in Albany NY have less stores now nationwide.  Stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy & K-mart still carry CD's but no more cassettes or vinyl.  iTunes and the internet are now the new way consumers get their music. If you still want knowledgeable staff and find interesting or unique music then these local shops are still your best bet to find it.

I remember the days of saving my change from chores and riding my bike to the nearest record store to find the new stuff that came out. I remember talking with the hippie guy behind the counter where he would enlighten me with all kinds of new music.

Thank you to these local record stores for keeping the art of music alive here in the Capital Region. If there is a local shop that I may have missed please comment below and let's us know so they can get the credit they deserve.