Candlelight Antiques [Elkmont AL]

 

As I sped across the border into Tennessee, I spotted Candlelight on the way out.  I know an antique mall when I see one and couldn't believe my luck.  Besides checking a new state off the list, I'd be able to hit another spot on the way back.

Not surprised to see that just about every other booth had some records.  Here is the first booth I checked out, just inside the front door.

Scary that I can ID that LP in the back without getting close, or even seeing the front jacket (5th Dimension, Live album, and it is in my collection!)

I visited Alabama once, many years ago. but I was in a bit of a rush and only hit up a couple thrift stores as I sped out of town (I drove from Mobile all the way back to Chicago).  Things feel a bit more official now!

Generations Antique Mall [Tulsa OK]

 

Nothing like a solid breakfast to service your hangover followed by perusing the junk at an antique mall next door! I have visited Oklahoma before but only in the capacity to check it off the list without enjoying it much. I had a plan to hit up a Starship Records but I got it pretty well out of my system in this wondrous place.  This is my first blog post in around a year, not surprising.  Of course I will offer the same excuse as the rest of the millions out there.  First COVID made visiting such places impossible (they were closed), then I was too nervous to visit when they reopened.  But now I am vaccinated so all bets are off! Lets do this!

I haven't bought a new record (even on the internet) in the past year I don't think and I didn't buy anything here either.  But that is no complaint, as a I had a blast.  

Found this Mike Bloomfield classic just inside the front door and yes, I have some regrets on passing it up now.  Oddly, this booth only had these two records and none others.

Hidden away in a nook, I did actually consider this one for the inclusion of these two songs listed on the cover.

Worth every penny! The censored version was $8 but who needs that?

I did however spend a whopping $12 on something VERY cool.  A booth had 4 of these sealed cases plus at least one other case open so you could buy individual packs for $2 each.  I thought this was cool because its amazing to think about the heritage and culture in Branson around live music and entertainment.  I'm sure it is much changed since 1992 but to think that once upon a time there was a market for such an item (no matter how small) is pretty amazing.  I can't find as much info on these as I thought I would be able to besides this link.   Apparently there was only one series (the box shows 'Series One') but there is a blue box/pack and a red one which I have.  The main difference I can see if that my case shows 'Special Collector's Edition, A Numbered Autographed Card in Every Pack' and it doesn't look like the blue ones had that.  The link above also isn't clear if these are real of copied autographs.  Well of course I had to open them all up.

It was a hell of a process to get these all organized.  It was also a lot of fun! Doesn't seem like a ton of information on these so hopefully this is of some help to the 0.1% of the population that needs it!

Big Horn Antiques [Greybull WY]

Coming out west, it was exciting to know that I'd check two states off my map that I might never get the opportunity to again.  Montana was easy - flying into Billings I found a few places and was able to check it off my list within about 20 minutes of my plane touching down.

Wyoming was nowhere near as easy.  What few places I could find in the Cody area I'd be working in were closed on Sundays.  A record store was out of the question, the only ones I could find where in the opposite ends of the state.  Which was also out of the question; I had some free time but that would be hours of driving.  I couldn't believe I was going to spend at least 24 hours in the state and not be able to check out some vinyl, and know that I might never be back again.

I landed in Billings on a Saturday afternoon and did my thing out there until the next morning, when I drove to Cody through the Big Horn mountains.  That was a great experience, even with hours behind the wheel I was plenty entertained.  As I finally came down the other side of the mountains and headed toward Cody it was still killing me knowing that there was just nowhere to go to see any records.  I had scoured Google Maps and the internet in general and it looked like everyone was closed on the 'day of rest'.  Then at the last minute I found an antique store in Greybull which claimed to be open.  It was directly on the way so I checked it out.  The place was called 'Dissanddatt'.  I spent about 20 minutes in here even though I knew almost right away there wasn't a single record to be found, as the obviously lonely proprietor cornered me (in a friendly way, I guess, if there is such a thing) chatting about, well, 'diss and datt'.  I finally got out of there, and he followed me outside to tell me that in Cody there was a place that might have vinyl (Bargain Box Furniture Store).  I'm sure they did but at that point I had no idea how much free time I would have as I still hadn't determined the scope of my work and I was prepared to be stuck in the plant for 12 hours (turned out to be a piece of cake).  So I thanked him and drove on.

But as you can see from the title of this post, I did find a place afterall.  I drove about 3 or 4 blocks and had just taken a bite out of an apple when I drove by Big Horn Antiques.  It was huge, there was an OPEN sign illuminated and a few cars in the parking lot.  I literally slammed on the brakes and ripped my rental car down a side street to turn around and go back.  My fingers were crossed but I had a good feeling.

Well it doesn't get any better than finding some records in the foyer before I even entered the actual store!

This place was crammed with junk and I found more and more vinyl behind every corner and in every room.  Not sure if this place was an antique mall or not, if the goods were on consignment or all owned by the couple that seemed to be the owners.

This happens all the time.  You find a motherlode of vinyl, but it is all crap.
Then you find one legit record and it is damaged in one way or another beyond repair

In a back room I found a huge dump of vinyl, 4 or 5 boxes stuffed tight plus a ton of 45s.  I dug every single box and came up with nothing, but I was glad knowing I was walking out of there with some photos for my records and the ability to check the state off of the map!

State #31 is completed! I don't see how I will ever be out this way again, it was a real gift.  I had a great time in the region, the work ended up being easy and there is a possibility I might somehow return to this site one more time.  We shall see.

Oakton Street Antique Centre, Arlington Heights

It's the places in your backyard that you miss the most easily sometimes.  I was headed out to Niles and took a different route than usual, and went right by this place.  I immediately checked the clock and quickly calculated what time I thought I might be headed back then checked if I could make it in.  Eureka! It was definitely feasible.  So I got it done in Niles and headed back west for a nice dig.

Man, I love antique malls.  They are probably the best record digging spots in my opinion.  I also do collect some old Pyrex, and I like to look at books and other stuff sometimes as well.  I guess I just like 'old' things, maybe that's part of the reason I love records so much.  This place is a solid antique mall, very clean and organized and quite large.  Many cubicles to dig through.  As far as records, I started out slow but eventually found more and more and of course found one or two booths that sort of specialized in vinyl and had multiple bins, alphabetized, etc.  I didn't end up buying anything so I'll just have to let the pictures do the talking.

I don't often photo album covers, but I also don't often find
ones this outrageous.

2430 E Oakton St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

 (847) 437-2514