Is The Vinyl Records Store Dead?
The vinyl records store that was the main attraction along college streets or the Saturday hangout at the mall is down but not out! The CD nearly killed the vinyl record, then digital downloads from sites like iTunes tried to deliver the knock-out punch, but the vinyl format just will not go away. There is something about holding a physical object that makes music in your hands, however, and vinyl discs are just downright sexier than CDs! The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported 2008 record sales increased over 100 percent over 2007 year-end sales, shipping 2.9 million LPs and EPs compared to 1.3 million records the year before! Though more numerous in larger metro areas than small towns, stores that stock and trade vinyl records are fighting back. You can find them in strip malls across America, usually set back from the street, but they are there. I have a couple that I visit often. I love the feeling when I step in the door; it is like stepping back in time. The
