Underneathica's Guide to Atlanta Record Stores, part 1
Like any metropolitan area, Atlanta has its chain stores that sell cd's, and its thrift stores that sell old vinyl. This guide for those music buyers who aren't mall shoppers or crate diggers. It is arranged geographically, so that you can hit the stores in closest proximity to each other if your shopping time is limited. Please don't hold me responsible if hours of operation change since I checked them. This first installment will feature the Emory/Decatur area.Let's start with A Book Nook, because it opens earliest. Book Nook is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. As the name suggests, Book Nook is primarily a used bookstore which also trades in CD's, LP's, DVD's, VHS and cassettes. Book Nook first opened in 1973. Four years ago, the main store moved down Clairmont Road from Buford Highway to the intersection of North Druid Hills Road (just downhill from the BP station). David T. Lindsay works there, and he oversees the substantial collection of new and used comic books, and a nice section of rock-related literature. Most of the used vinyl LP's are priced at $5. Book Nook has a couple of suburban locations in Marietta and Lilburn. The main store is at 3073 North Druid Hills Road (404-633-1343). Hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 10:30pm, Sundays 10am to 10:30pm.
From the Book Nook, go west on North Druid Hills. Less than a quarter mile on the left, you'll see the Toco Hills Shopping Center. Ella Guru is located there, and sells new and used CD's. It's a friendly place, with in-store listening stations. Ella Guru is the first of Atlanta's two record stores named after Captain Beefheart songs. 2993 North Druid Hills Road (404-325-1350). Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 9pm, Sundays 12noon to 6pm.
Turn back toward Book Nook, then make a right on Clairmont Road and go a mile and a half south (past the VA hospital) to the corner of North Decatur Road. Wuxtry Records is in a strip mall on the left (along with Rainbow Foods, where you may run into an Indigo Girl). Wuxtry has a sister store in Athens, where Peter Buck first met Michael Stipe. Atlanta's Wuxtry is notable for its jazz selection, and it has lots of rock (new and used CD's, vinyl, and cassettes). You can search their vinyl inventory on their website. 2096 North Decatur Road (404-329-0020). Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 8pm, Sundays 12noon to 6pm.
Continue south on Clairmont Road a little over a mile, and turn right on Ponce de Leon Avenue. Go about three blocks and look for a sky blue single story building on the left. It's Decatur CD! Listening stations and in-store performances (with free beer!) from both local and touring musicians add to the selection of new and used CD's. Decatur CD has its own blog, and Austin works there. 356 West Ponce de Leon Avenue (404-371-9090). Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 11pm, Sundays 12noon to 5pm.
The vinyl hound will want to track back east on Ponce. It's about five miles (across I-285 and through Scottdale) to the town of Clarkston, home of Records Galore. There's a mixed bag here, a lot of 12" rap singles and country LP's, and loads of pre-rock vinyl, but I've found some good stuff here, and the prices are low. 4148 East Ponce de Leon Avenue (404-294-5271). Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 6pm, closed Sundays.
Labels: ATL record stores
6 Comments:
So what's the other store named after a Captain Beefheart song? A lot of his song titles would seem to make good names for record stores...Hobo Chang Ba, Sheriff of Hong Kong...
What is a "record"?
Also, "Sheriff of Hong Kong" is my Nerve.com headline, and so far no one has gotten it, nor the Game Theory reference in my profile. I guess my dream date would get both.
You out-of-towners will just have to wait breathlessly for the next installment! Flavor Bud Living would make a nice name for a store too, maybe a head shop.
Your dreamdate would also presumably need to know what a "Nerve.com headline" even is. (And presumably, be single and therefore more likely to have a clue thereof...)
UPDATE: A new store called Rock (or Rock Star?) opened in East Atlanta at 495 Flat Shoals Avenue (404-806-7517). They buy and sell records, magazines, tshirts, posters, and other memorabilia. Hours: Tues-Thurs 10am to 6pm, Fri 10am to 8pm, Sat 12noon to 8pm, Sun 12noon to 6pm.
UPDATE: Ella Guru moved to 280 Elizabeth Street, Suite B101. Their new number is 404-223-0095. Hours are now Mon-Sat 11-7 and Sundays 12-6. The correct name of the store listed in the comment above is "Rock Star Gold".
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