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!

I had a brief stay in Fairfield and had to check out their local record shop. It was way better…read morethan expected, like a little slice of New York City cool hidden in beachy Connecticut town. The shop is on the main strip (Post St.) across the street from Hemlock Hardware. It's kind of hard to see if you're just driving by (it's behind a sports trading-cards shop) but well worth finding, because it's the kind of record store that is loaded with both new vinyl and rare, well-selected older vinyl. The records span many genres and the shop's owners have excellent taste and knowledge while also being gracious and fun to talk to. I noticed they host listening parties for new releases, making the store a hub for local music aficionados. I wasn't in Fairfield long but consider Vinyl Street Co. to be a real "hidden gem" that I highly recommend you check out if you're in the area. (After that, be sure to stop in to Fairfield's top-notch public library down the street.)

Staff is very friendly. Classic record store vibe. Very glad Fairfield has a place like this!read more

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.

One of my, if not my favorite record store in all of CT. Record bins are all spread out so you…read moredon't feel claustrophobic if multiple customers are looking. Great mix of genres and if they don't have what you're looking for, just ask. The owner, Chris is a very chill person, respectful and his prices are very fair. He knows what he has, but you won't feel like you got ripped off either. Always a positive experience and better than most shops in NYC. Only advice is to call before you go, as hours are sometimes flexible. Glad this place wasn't open when I lived in Westville or I'd be broke.

Phenomenal establishment; a true CT vinyl institution…read more Chris, the owner, is a wealth of musical and cultural knowledge. He brings great records into the shop as to make sure there's always something to be had. One of the best record stores on the east coast hands down. 10/10 worth a visit.

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.

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.

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.

Accommodating Nice selection…read moreHighly recommend Owner is knowledgeable Great business in downtown Riverhead

I saw something come up on Facebook about this store so I wanted to check it out. Only problem is…read moreas the store is named, it's only open on Sundays! Luckily I was in the area on a Sunday.....or did I somehow trick my wife and make that happen? Haha! It's a very nice store. Very organized. More about records but there was some CDs as well. I think the prices were mostly fair. I was able to find a few things and was happy with my purchase. I talked to the owner a bit because he noticed I had a triumph record in my hand and he was going to see them. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area cause you don't know what you will find. I mostly look for heavy metal or hard rock and there was plenty of both there. I will definitely go back when I'm in the area or accidentally end up in the area

Very large assortment of records and CD's and CD boxsets very unique. There were Rod Stewart to…read moreBeatles to Bruce Springsteen CD box sets that I don't see. In addition, they had the largest inventory of used Carpenters albums I've ever seen

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.

I came in here to check out the horror merch! My obsession rn is Art the Clown so I came in looking…read moreto buy something to add to my Terrifier collection. I couldn't find the section w/ the Art stuff. I asked one of the employees @ the register where it was since there wasn't any1 on the sales floor. I picked up a journal w/ Art photos. It was pretty pricey but I expected it. Licensed merch can be up there in price. Ted cashed me out promptly. He was a good salesman he pitched me the FYE membership & tried to sell me a toy car to donate for less fortunate children. I already donate toys every year to children for Christmas. He was very funny & had a gr8 personality! Thanks Ted! You rock!

The best selection of anime, Disney, collectibles, funkos, clothing, and other fun stuff. Great…read moremusic and movie collection too. Staff is top notch and knowledgeable.