Goodwill [Huntersville NC]

My company is headquartered in North Carolina and I've been down there a handful of times over the years.  This time, I was actually visiting a customer in nearby Mount Holly and had some spare time so I stopped by the HQ to powwow with some of my contacts there.  I was walking out of my hotel one day and I spied with my little eye...a Goodwill just across the street! What luck!

Well my luck was actually not so good.  Nothing worthy of note here and definitely nothing worth buying.  I did however organize the records because I am a nice guy and I have a low level case of OCD.  Looks much better now.

Lunchbox Records [Charlotte NC]

A while back I got stuck in Charlotte on a lay over when my flight was canceled.  I hit a trio of thrift stores in short order and got back to business.  This time, my destination was in fact Charlotte - I had four days in town but was overwhelmed with work.  Luckily, I made time on the first day to head over to Lunchbox Records.  (I also slammed on the brakes at an S.A. just a few blocks away).  I'm glad I did as the rest of the week gave me no time except to try and regain my strength in a lonely hotel room, preparing for the next day's onslaught.

Lunchbox sits in a busy and seemingly trendy neighborhood where parking is at an absolute premium.  Traffic was bad even at close to 7pm on a Tuesday and I struggled to find anywhere to park with my remaining hour or business dwindling.  I eventually found a free lot and had to squeeze myself out of the way until a spot opened, then quickly back into it before it was stolen by another unlucky soul.

I got back over to the store and got to work.  I spent a few moments getting the layout of the store's categories straight and finally found the jazz section in the rear of the shop.  Not wanting to impinge upon another browser, I dug into the new arrivals section where I found another trombone masterpiece (or so I gambled).  Being so happy with finally getting my own copy of 'Rainy Day' after coveting my girlfriend's copy (which I bought her, no less) I knew it would be safe to roll the dice on any Verve offering from 'K'.  I have not been disappointed after getting it home and spinning it a few times.  Herbie Hancock's funky and soulful influence have infiltrated the record making it quite different from 'Rainy Day' but just as enjoyable.  Reminds me very much of the 'generic' soul-jazz on another much wanted compilation (I've had the digital tracks for over a decade -- I'd love to have a physical copy but that remains unlikely due to the cost).

I was happy to score some stickers from the place which have since been applied to my locking record box I grabbed out of the garbage a few months ago.  Lunchbox Records is a small but world class (compared to other larger cities) shop that is worth a stop.

Salvation Army [Charlotte NC]

You knaw the selection is bad when a Johnny Mathis album provides a kind of relief. Something familiar amongst many, many religious recordings, only in the worst shape imaginable. 

Charlotte Thrift Store Assault

I was scheduled to lay over in Charlotte on my way to Mobile Alabama. Plans were derailed by horrid Chicago snow which delayed my departure and caused me to miss my connection.

Without a moments hesitation I left the airport in search of vinyl. With over four hours to spare I knew I had time to do some serious diggin'. 

A glance at the map revealed three stores in less than a half mile radius. Took me about 20 minutes to tear through them all. The first two were adjacent to one another in a large strip mall. 

VALUE VILLAGE

I hate this style of rack so much...clearly designed for magazines, it forces you to bend the vinyls to see what is in the back. Didn't buy anything but found the three up front which I own....these are NOT normal thrift store finds and gave me great confidence and zeal for my remaining hunt. 

GOODWILL

Located directly next door, this was a big place and full of volunteers rooting through giant bins of used clothing, sorting like mad. But while I immediately found the CDs and books (the usual neighbors of vinyl in every thrift store), there was no vinyl to speak of!

I eventually did find the bin way in the back...and it was loaded with funds!  I don't generally look at used 45s unless they are well organized but there was a nice stash of jacketed 7 inches mixed in with the usual scuffed stacks. I grabbed two, largely because they were in their original label sleeves. One by the other not named Diamond, and a second by Dan/John. 

But the Engelbert rarities continued and culminated with the early 80s double disc, never before seen in a record or thrift store. Original inner sleeves and generally excellent condition to boot! I also found Roger's third in stereo (mint!) but alas I already own it. Catch and release!

COMMUNITY THRIFT

Taking its name from one of my all time favorite stores (a little closer to home), I did not buy anything here but contemplated one and marveled at another (as seen below).  Just had to manually add the comp which causes me further regret for having left behind.  Ouch.

They had an air tight policy on bringing bags into the store. I have no problem with this and have often offered my bag without being asked.  While they didn't use clothes pins, they fully padlocked my bag in a cabinet and gave me a ticket to prove its mine!

I'll be in Mobile in a few hours and hopefully can pull off the rare feat of vinyl hunting in two noncontiguous states in one day. Stay tuned....