I've been heading over to Exile on Main for my music since it opened. It's one of the few remaining…read moretrue "record stores" (actually CD/record/DVD) in the state, surviving through the pressure exerted by iTunes-type music buyers who purchase only the hits in mp3 format. Here's what you're missing if you're only buying mp3 singles or buying at the big box retailers. Selection - Exile offers thousands of titles and artists. The selection may look similar to what's offered by the big boxes, but is in fact much larger. Exile maintains a small stock of each title so you won't see 200 copies of a new release filling the shelves. There's also tons of concert DVD's - remember, you don't know an artist until you see them live. And, if you truly like an artist, you're missing out by not buying their full album to check out the "deeper tracks". Keep in mind that the large retailers are paid to stock certain CD's, so it doesn't pay for them to stock the titles that don't move very quickly. Remember that the country's largest brick and mortar music retailer, Wal Mart, requires censorship of the music they sell. If you think that "bad words" in music will poison your mind or your child's mind, I think you need to step back and look at the world we live in. Cost - I don't want to disagree with my fellow reviewers, but... Exile's prices are consistently lower than the larger retailers. Lower overhead may be the reason. The only time this may not be true is when the big stores are offering new releases at low prices to drive impulse buyers to buy. Have you ever checked the prices for CD's at Best Buy and FYE. If you're lucky you may find a used copy of what you want and save some $. Recommendations/Service - If you're buying a gift or looking for something new for yourself at one of the big retailers who do you ask for a recommendation? When I stared going to Exile I liked the usual popular rock and progressive artists. I knew there were tons of other artists but didn't know where to start. Through Paula's and Al's recommendations I've "discovered" artists hat I never knew existed. How else would I ever have known that Boris, a Japanese experimental/progressive group, existed? But you do need to ask - they won't chase you around while you're browsing asking what you're looking for. If they don't have what you want, special orders arrive in 1-2 days. And, I recommend getting onto their mailing list to help you keep up-to-date on new releases. mp3 - If you really like mp3's - they are easy to put onto your player and you can buy just what you want... check out exileonmain.com. The prices are lower than iTunes - closer to Amazon, and it's really easy to use. Nutshell - If you're a big music fan or casual listener do yourself a solid and check out Exile on Main St. It's all about selection, price and customer service.

Small shop, with a decent variety. Seemed to have far more CDs than vinyl which surprised me. Most…read moreof the vinyl seemed like it was added in where ever it could fit, most of the bins were so tightly packed you could hardly flip through. I think a bit of organization would go a long way to make an easier shopping experience. Glad I finally stopped in and certainly could have left with more than I did.

The Archive is a physical media retail store that opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in June 2017…read more It was founded by friends and business partners Brandon Upson, James Neurath, Ryan Emerson and Ralph Stevens. The shop is the brick & mortar division of Vinegar Syndrome: a film restoration and distribution company that specializes in protecting and preserving genre films (mainly produced between the 1960s and 1980s). The company was founded in 2012 by Emerson and business partner Joe Rubin and named for the acidic smell of deteriorating film. It is considered a boutique Blu-ray label and to date has released well over 800 titles on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. The Archive is dedicated to selling movies and music in a wide variety of physical media formats. Consumers will find all sorts of new and used titles available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Betamax, Laserdisc, Vinyl, CD, and Cassette tape. A second location opened in Aurora (CO) in October 2022 and a third (named 'Vinegar Syndrome') opened in Toronto (ON) in October 2023. I've been doing business with the Archive for a number of years now. I'm a huge fan of collecting physical media. Although streaming media seems to be the way to go now, streaming services are only as good as your internet connection, the quality is too compressed and titles are disappearing all the time. I like having an actual vinyl record or 4K disc in my hands. Physical formats are also usually loaded with all sorts of liner notes, posters and bonus features that you won't get with streaming services. I try to stop at the shop every few months or so. While I sometimes leave empty handed, other times I leave with some great finds. They often carry great film releases from labels like Arrow Video, Blue Underground, The Criterion Collection, Severin Films, Shout! Factory, and of course Vinegar Syndrome. At times, the shop will even get a limited amount of new releases weeks before they are available on Amazon. If you're a fan of physical media then you need to get to the Archive right away!

Massive selection and great service. I got some anime and picked out a few of my favorite movies…read more Great place!

Agree with the first review. Lovely, brand new location that crams a lot of great books into the…read morelocation as it is not the biggest location I have been to. The Glastonbury and Milford locations kind of the size that seems to be standard. The staff who work here have some fantastic tastes though! Their buy one get one half off tables were overflowing with all of my horror book needs! Despite telling myself I was only getting a few, I walked out with 8. Oops. Can't pass up a great deal, right?! Finding my niche tastes here is what pushes it to 5 stars for me!

the new store was absolutely gorgeous inside and so organized. it smelled so clean and the…read moreselection was amazing! my new favorite Barnes and Noble!

I had been to this record store several years ago, but decided to go back and check it out…read more Unfortunately, their hours are limited. Even during the holiday they're open Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM to 3 PM. Friday and Saturday only till 5 PM. I got there just around 4:25 PM on a Saturday night. Merle was there with another staff member. The owner Merle was very friendly. They have a very nice large section of compact discs in the middle of the store. Lots of records as well there's a section for used cassette VHS tapes 8 track tapes. As well as real to real tapes. It's very impressive their section of used audio equipment. I saw amplifiers cassette tape decks. A few open reel decks as well. Some nice tube table radios of course several turntables even a couple of 8 track players They do repairs on audio equipment. I asked Merle if they would work on a boom box as I'm looking at one from 1983 from the original owner, that looks in great shape. But after 41 years, I'm sure I will need belts. Merle told me that there's a $40 diagnostic fee just to make sure it is the belt and not something else as well Some people have complained about the prices here. I went to the used cassettes which are usually in other record stores somewhere between $.99 and $3.99. Here they used tapes were $5.99. Just a couple dollars more than Other stores I've been to. The sealed cassettes are $8.99. Which is pretty reasonable these days as it's hard to find cassettes that are sealed. I went to the couple of bins where there were $3.99 and $4.99 Records. I got a nice Cheech and Chong record with a cool fold out cover I was pleased to see a few Judy Collins records. Even though I own a bunch of them. I forgot to take one from when I left home and didn't want to drive 60 minutes back as I'm going to see Judy Collins in Connecticut on Sunday night and want to see if she will sign it. I Purchased, a Dolly Parton, cassette, and a cassette from the band Saxon as well as threeRecords Merle has been in business for 62 years. I chatted with him briefly. Things were a lot different back when he opened 45 RPMs were very popular and actual LPs didn't sell as well as 45 rpm Records. There were no cassettes back then. No. 8 track tapes either. no open real tapes until about 1963 or 1964. Cassette tapes came around in 1966. I didn't have as much of a chance to look through everything as it was closing time pretty soon after I got there. They were a lot more things I wanted to look through. Next time in the area, I'll get there earlier. Definitely wanna bring that boom box back if the belts need replacement which I'm sure they will I hope they had longer hours though. Merle said it was a staffing problem. I hope they could get enough help so they could be open till at least 6 PM or 7 PM on a Friday or Saturday. But I definitely recommend checking this place out. Especially if you wanna get some used audio equipment he has the biggest selection of used audio equipment. I've seen in a record store. So I definitely recommend coming here.

If you go to the store, look up the prices he gives you before you purchase! This another store…read morewhere nothing is priced. The owner will price everything at the counter. I looked up each record i wanted to buy on discogs. Records he was quoting me as $80 were selling on Discogs and Ebay for $20. Ones that were selling on Discogs and Ebay for 10 bucks he was quoting me at $75. The guy is a crook avoid this place at all costs. Do not waste your time or your money here. There are far better stores within the area. Redscroll, Gerosa, Retro Shop, the Archive, etc.

I collect a lot of vinyl and this is one of the best places around to get near- mint-condition used…read morevinyl for great prices. I'm into a lot of 80s New Wave, so I came out with a few albums in that category (some for under $10 each), one from Springsteen that was $10, and then even a couple of classical composers for $4 each. And guess what? Not a scratch on any of them! (Here's the catch: A couple records skipped in more than one place in the same song, though I realize skips are par for the course with used records. Not that I don't trust the grades given to the records on the price tags, but there should be a way to test out the records before you pay for them.) The owner is very kind and helpful. It's a small store packed with a lot of records that are alphabetized (which helps if you're looking for something specific) in their respective categories. The place can seem a little claustrophobic and could use a clearing out of the boxes and crates of records on the floor that can make maneuvering difficult and browsing a bit uncomfortable. Yes, the owner generously cleared one area so I could have a better look at a particular genre, but he shouldn't have to do that. The boxes and crates on the floor plus the skipping on some of the albums are the only reasons I'm giving four stars instead of five. Overall, Replay offers better quality and prices than some other used vinyl shops I've visited in both New Haven and Fairfield Counties. It's worth conquering your claustrophobia, I promise, and you're bound to find something you're searching for as well as something you didn't even know existed.

I got into record collecting around 2011, shortly before Cutler's in New Haven closed. Options were…read morelooking pretty scarce, until I came upon Replay Records and I have to say a good portion of my collection is now from there. Even after an 8 year excursion to NYC, I'd still prefer to go to Replay, as it's small but unpretentious. Pairs quite nicely with a trip to Glennwood for a burger and a dog.

Usually come here for a quick stop to see what they have for games…read more They have a lot of games, consoles and other gaming items for almost every console that has been out. There are some higher price games locked away in a cabinet such as retro PS games like silent hill.

My 20 something's love this store full of nicely organized vintage and used games on top condition…read more Good selection and super helpful nice employees a nerd gamer hub that beckons you in.

I'd like to leave a review to praise Uncle Joe's Records for their excellent service…read more The team was incredibly helpful, responsive, and professional from start to finish. Communication was quick and clear, they handled everything with care, and the whole experience was smooth and reliable. It's rare to find a shop this attentive and committed to customer satisfaction.

Great place, plenty of records, wide variety, nice employees and owner. Good pricing.read more

It's the kind of used bookstore you can get lost in. If I were a local, it would be part of my…read moredaily routine. The shelves are thoughtfully labeled, and the place has an energy that feels. You can tell when an owner genuinely loves the books and records they carry. The Bruised Apple is one of those stores. Worth stopping in if you want to get lost for a few hours.

What a lovely bookstore! We came across this hidden gem that has been here for more than 30 years…read more We parked our car right outside and saw the inviting window and warm lights of this cozy bookstore. The instrumental music was playing, the owner was very kind and welcoming. The customers were browsing and it was the most relaxing environment with so many wonderful resources. We will certainly be back! Thank you and Happy New Year!