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.

A great store. They have a ton of Music on Vinyl imports and is very well curated. They have a…read moregreat selection of out of print and new/old stock on CD. Lots of Japanese imports. Very good for the collector looking for hard to find items. Natalie who was working the counter was very friendly. Glad I stopped by.

Just browsed today, seems like a cool spot. They had a very nice selection, all different genres,…read morevinyl as well as CDs. Also a small selection of turntables and different brand merch and retro patches. It's an interesting store, give them a look.

Great record store with one MAJOR fault. Sticker pricing…read morethe record with extra sticky price stickers on the actual cover or back corner. I bought $90 worth of records and three of them were ruined even after I blew dried them to help warm up the glue. I guess the eXtra sticky sticker makes it a nightmare for thieves to switch prices, but a worse nightmare for the person paying for it. Maybe if they don't use such sticky stickers when pricing it it might be gentler? Otherwise. Great selection, above average condition, helpful staff. Super amazing store. Best in CT!

Staff were helpful and friendly. Owner not so much and we left rather than feeling like our…read morebusiness wasn't wanted.

I first discovered this store about 10 years ago on a trip to Bethel to go to the Sycamore Drive in…read morerestaurant. The owner is very friendly and helpful with anything you might be looking for. They have an extensive selection of compact disc's all at very reasonable prices. Some record stores have cut down on their stock of compact Disc's They also have a very big selection of records. Some are up top where it's easy to flip through them. Others are underneath the displays for the compact disc's. In boxes. So it makes it a little difficult to look through them. Great selection of all genres wonderful jazz selections blues as well. I always find a nice selection of CDs records and yes cassettes to take home their plenty of cassettes. I picked up a Frank Sinatra cassette and one from Phoebe Snow that came out in 1989. I also got the K-tel, Sha Na Na Record of silly songs that I had been looking for Definitely come and check out this record store. You're absolutely find something you were looking for or something you didn't know existed and you'll enjoy it on your stereo system at home car stereo Walkman One of the best record stores in Connecticut

Cool little mom and pop record store. I was trying to avoid a shipping fee and tried to find a…read morespecific Chicago house music cd that they unfortunately did not have, even less carried such a genre. Its more of gen x, boomer and general weird music nerd space than the ones I remember like strawberries in new haven. The guy was friendly and offered to order the cd for me but it was not a priority. Very small and limited selection.

So many records lots of bands and great variety of genres, great for finding cheap records, picked…read moreup these the other day

I was not able to take pictures because I was on a mission to buy a vinyl and get out asap! A…read morefriend of mine discovered this record shop and I though how cool they have used and vintage items for sale to discovering they had a fantastic selection of an artist I really love, but I still can't get it out of my head how dry and rude the staff can be. I dealt with this specfic man with a beard, with muscular body figure, looks like he goes to the gym, and he came off really rude when he told me to stop for a brief moment, signaling me to wait so he can walk further away from me. I understand the shop can be very small however, it was not needed. I played it off but I was indeed embarassed and still purchased something from the store. That moment was back in August. Now in September I called in to ask for a specific item and I was told the item was available after months of searching it in person, sounded like the same person because I memorized his voice. Thankfully he was not there when I arrived to pick up, but there was another staff, very mellow and also not approachable. I got up went inside cause at the end of the day this business is taking my money. In conclusion the staff need to do a better job at being friendly and not be so bothered when asked a question. I don't know if it because I look different from everyone else, I always feel uncomfortable to go inside. Happy with my item, not so happy with the atmosphere and customer service.

stopped in today with my 3yo and 7mo right at noon to avoid a breakdown from either due to…read morehunger/tiredness. got a nice comment on how they were well-behaved, so that was cool. bins upon bins of old and newer records. the labels all have comments if a record is 'a bit scratchy' or 'first US pressing' or whatever else, so they give you a heads up. they'll also let you give it a listen on the turntable to make sure you know what it is you're buying and to make sure it sounds ok, though I'm sure they do their due diligence before crating them. there are tons of $3/4 for $10 bins as well as New Release shelves and there is a little (ok, a LOT) bit of everything. got 2 Johnny Cash records, a 2-LP Lynyrd Skynyrd live recording, and an Otis Spann LP for $22. didn't listen in-store as kids were volatile. got home, listened to them each for a few minutes, and they sounded great. the Spann record had 'a bit scratchy' written on the $6 price sticker but it sounded pretty good, like it was pressed in 1961 (which it was). new to the record player game and after getting 4 new presses for the holidays it was cool to get 4 'new' ones that were all 25+ years old. definitely gonna be back, without kids next time.

One of the best shops in the area. I always find something I am beyond stoked to find. If you like…read morePunk, Prog, psych, Jazz, they have it all. Owners are great too. You'll definitely have a great dig here.

Not only do they have an amazing selection of records of all genres, and CDs, tapes, books, pop…read moremedia, they hold sick instore shows.

Rating Record Stores S1 E4 The Telegraph is really fun and…read moreone of the best record stores ever there's a great owner named Eric who's in pocket vinyl and check out pocket vinyl

I lived in Connecticut for many years when I was younger but that was before The Archive was a shop…read moreand it's a place I've been wanting to hit up for years. I recently got into collecting Criterion releases and thanks to some open time, I was able to head out to Bridgeport on a recent trip out east and finally give this place a shot. From the moment you walk into The Archive you are completely surrounded by Blu rays, DVDs, 4Ks, VHS tapes, and every single thing that could possibly exist next to them. This place has every inch of the walls decorated, every shelf is full of movies, and all three rooms are slam packed with cool stuff. I spent probably an hour talking movies with the staff, digging through all the different sections, and it took a whole lot of restraint to not leave with 30+ movies (can't really fit that on a plane). Due to space restrictions for the flight home, I was only able to pick one thing up but Days of Heaven is safely at home in LA now and a proud member of the collection. Overall, The Archive is definitely one of the best stores the nutmeg state has to offer. The decorations were cool, the movie selection was absolutely unbeatable, the staff was knowledgeable, and it was definitely one of the best movie hunting experiences I've had in many, many years.

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!