St. Mark’s Sounds

I don’t think they have changed the sign in 30 years.

When I first started making the trip downtown to St. Mark’s Place all those years ago, this was usually the reason why: the best independent and used record store in the city. Bleecker Bob’s (which was never on Bleecker) was famous and living off its name even back then, with random selections and high prices. Rocks In Your Head on Prince Street was extremely cool, but couldn’t match Sounds for inventory. There also was a place actually on Bleecker whose name I forget and that was worth browsing through every now and then.

But Sounds was the best place to both buy and sell used records at fair prices. The staff was reasonably friendly for all of its indy record vibe. If you brought in records to sell, the guy behind the counter would quote you his offer, and when you asked how much if you took it in store credit, he would always snarl but offer a few more bucks.

I’ve no idea what the place is like now. I checked it out on Yelp and it’s funny to read reviews that are mostly written by people who talk about buying used CDs here back in the day, acting  old school because CDs are antiquated, when the place was built on vinyl.

I’ve got to think they must own the building because I can’t imagine they could afford the rent anymore selling physical music these days. The land is probably worth more than the business as a going concern, but I’m glad it’s still there even if I haven’t been there in years and might not ever visit again (it was closed on this very early Sunday morning when I took this shot).

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This Post Has 6 Comments

  2. Tobias George

    15 Dec 2011

    The processing in this image adds to the history feel. It’s perfect. Nicely done! I live very close to here, and walk past this store every day. The bar shown below in this shot, “Grassroots”, is my favourite in the East Village.

  4. Len Saltiel

    15 Dec 2011

    I concur with Toad, Mark the processing is spot on.
    Len Saltiel recently posted..O, CanadaMy Profile

  5. Jim Denham

    15 Dec 2011

    What an interesting place Mark, and I like how you’ve given it the vintage processing treatment, not that it needs too much of it! Miss places like these, but times do change. Glad it’s still around to service those peeps who go all the way back to the CD!
    Jim Denham recently posted..December RainMy Profile

  6. John J.P. Paddick

    11 Mar 2013

    Nice!

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