RIP 2019

At some point I think this blog will just become a time capsule as every single place I have ever visited and documented will be gone.  I heard about one of the below closings earlier this week and got to thinking I ought to sit down and see what other shops I once enjoyed (or at least visited) are no more.

I've had only a few experiences like the one I had at Funk Trunk, the kind where you are one on one with the clerk or even the owner (as in this case).  And you can actually chat in a relaxed way, and peruse the vinyl and hopefully come up with something.  I had a great night in Rogers Park, had an awesome meal and got fairly drunk.  Not enough stores like Funk Trunk out there and they all seemed destined not to survive....too pure, too real.

This one hurts.  Some of the early days of this blog were based around my visits to Logan Hardware.  Simple but very important records in my collection were copped there and many an arcade game were played in the back room.  I remember just feeling like I owned the place, it was never that crowded on a cold Sunday afternoon, and it was easy to get to via public transportation.  I'm just glad I'm not sitting here saying 'I wish I had gone more'.  I took advantage, thank god.  I was in Logan Square this week and I wanted to get a drink but it was pretty early.  I thought that Logan Hardware would be a great way to kill sometime but found out they were gone.  Ended up sitting in the library which was fun in it's own way, but today I mourn the passing of a great one.

Another one that was fairly easy to get to, a fun bike ride through Portage Park on a warm weekend.  Distinctly remember going there on Record Store Day one year and definitely pulled some important vinyl out of there.  This post was inspired by finding out about the closing of Logan Hardware just a couple days ago, but this place as well.  I woke up, still in bed on this fine Saturday morning and thought maybe I'd have another ride out there.  Again, stymied by time, now lost, and you just can never get it back.  The article you see about outlined the new store in Park Ridge which is interesting because when I went to Google Maps (why? Because part of me knew it had been a while and I expected the worst, apparently rightfully so) the new shop TechNoir kept coming up which I didn't understand.  I am still considering biking over there today or maybe taking the bus.  At any rate, Raffe's was grimy in the best way possible and I played and went to a few shows at Memories next door (which has changed names many times).

The most recent of all.  Can't say I will miss Val's...I went once long ago and never had any inkling to return.  Yeah, Val was there and yeah, she was rude.  If someone thought that stuff was cute or ironic they are a better man than me.  I paid way too much for what I bought that day but it was so long ago I didn't know better.  Oak Park Records is still kicking and certainly I'd recommend them if you are in the area, even if Val's was still open.

Very recent news here.  It does look like Old School survived but I had no idea they moved.  Interestingly, I went down to Madison St right around the date above because I went to the Army Surplus across the street.  I didn't notice or think about Old School, but I don't know why I didn't.  Glad to see (I think/hope) they are doing OK because I had a good visit there and remember it well.

RIP 2018

In nearly 5 years of writing this blog I have visited many, many thrift stores and record stores looking at vinyl.  Unfortunately I've seen many great shops close for various reasons.  Time to give respect to some legends and remember their awesome tenure selling vinyl.  There are many more honorable mentions but here are the biggest in my experience and memories.

Marklund Resale

Can't count how many times I've visited Marklund over the years.  Looks like the last time I blogged about a visit was back in 2015 (wow, time flies) but I'm sure I was there at least a handful of times since then.  Unfortunately they shut the doors back in the summer of 2016.  Great shop that supported a good cause.  The funny thing is that now after reviewing all these old posts, it doesn't look like I ever bought anything there! Still, it was a nice relaxing Sunday jaunt for a long time.  They will be missed. (note: my girlfriend did once buy some cutting boards there (they were new).  One of them cracked and fell apart after a year or so, the other one is still doing well and just last night I coated it with mineral oil).

Knick Knack Paddy Wack

I checked out this store a few times in the early days.  Really cool shop run by a couple that were always swell to chill with and have a chat.  They even used to call me when they would get new vinyl in.  They expanded even at one point and scooped up the shop next to them but then a year or so later they were gone from both.  I found this video above on the website of a local news station and have uploaded it here.

Savers, Franklin Park

It was really cool having a legit thrift store with vinyl (sort of) in my neighborhood.  Stopped by many times and grabbed an array of nice vinyl.  They shut down last year and the site is now a Salvation Army.  They will definitely be missed.

Fantastic Andy's

I always had an awesome time in Andy's, grabbed vinyl and just had such a nice relaxing shopping trip every time I stopped in.  My time there is filled with nothing but good memories of riding my bike around Kewanee, pounding beers and BBQing and looking at dusty vinyl in a dusty old shop.  I consider it an honor that I got to prowl around in the place after it was long closed, thanks to some local vandals that shattered one of the windows.

Affordable Thrift

Only paid a single visit to this place, the only time I've looked at vinyl in a pawn shop.  You even had to get buzzed in.  This was right down the street from my place of work, and I clearly remember the day I stopped in on my bike ride from work to my girlfriend's house and grabbed a Jeff Beck classic.  I took this photo just yesterday while eating at the deli across the street.  Nothing sadder than seeing a place full of colorful signs and later just boarded up with white paper.  What a shame.

Blast From The Past

Had a legitimately odd visit to this place back in 2014.  For some reason I did not take a photo of the place then, the one above was taken yesterday 2 minutes after the photo of Affordable Thrift (they are literally one block apart).  It used to say 'Blast From the Past' on the upper portion of that wall, and I don't know if it was painted black either.  There was a real estate sign out front, I think it's been there a while and probably will continue to be for some time.  Funny because even during our visit the proprietor probably would have taken an offer for all the goods in the store, and maybe the building itself.

Kstarke Records

I visited this place twice, both times around my birthday, in 2014 and 2015.  It was during my first visit that I had my order rung by Mr. Starke himself.  He gave me a vinyl for free because I was a 'new customer', and I still enjoy that album regularly (just put it on yesterday).  I should have gotten back into there more but I'm glad I visited what I think many people consider to be a Chicago vinyl landmark.

Bel-Aire Enterprises

I saved this one for last because it is the most special.  I first visited almost exactly two years ago after wanting to check it out for a while.  It was a really special experience.  I grabbed a bunch of stuff and couldn't wait to get back.  I did get back at least once (maybe twice?) but never blogged about it.  I got the bad news around the end of last year from Beverly Records who snatched up a bunch of their inventory for probably pennies on the dollar.  I was in the area a couple months ago and figured I'd cruise by.  The parking lot was so filled with snow that I could barely get it and out.  The store was papered up and the sign...well, you can see it's sad refrain above.  It has been the wallpaper on my phone's lock screen since I took it and will remain there for a while.  I am very, very fortunate that I got in there to check the place out because now all we have are the memories.