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!

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

This record store is an absolute hidden gem. My boyfriend and I were searching for a record we…read more*had* to have on record store day and on a whim I called vinyl street cafe and they had it!! Once there, we couldn't believe we haven't been there before. The record store day selection was better than any we'd seen all day. What I like most about this record store is that the owner isn't a pretentious record snob and genuinely tries to help you find what you're looking for. The vinyl selection is very well curated with something for everyone. Support your local record store every day! Update- We asked to special order an album (they have a notebook by the register where you can make requests) and they were prompt in letting us know it was in stock!

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.

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.

This was such a fun little spot. Chris (the owner) is a solid dude- totally gave me a deal on…read moremultiple records when he didn't have to. They were top notch records- it made me buy more than I planned totally recommend.

Solid collection and super helpful staff. Agreed the prices are a bit high but to be expected is a…read moremom and pop style store. Great classical selection in particular!

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.

I've been coming to redscroll for years with my husband (even to their old store!) and love how big…read moreand organized the new store is. They have fun events including listening parties for new albums and do a great job with record store day. Their record store days throughout the years have been fun. They usually have several copies of popular releases and a very large inventory of used cds, records, and dvds. You can definitely spend some time here and find a gem. You've just got to be patient and look for it!

Absolutely the best. Best prices best service. All the records are in very good condition. No…read morebanged up garbage here. Everything you purchased. Here is also backed by their guarantee so you don't have to worry about returns or refunds or anything. This place is the best.

Cool local vinyl shop just built for some chill, leisurely browsing. Ample assortment of records…read moreacross a diverse array of genres, some new releases along with a ton of used records. Seemed like fair and well thought out pricing---had multiple copies of several albums with different prices based on condition. I could have browsed for hours, but only had time for a quick find or two before I had to catch my train back to the city!

I don't know why I love it even more that it's only open on Sundays. Sticking to its namesake. Got…read morea great deal on a record I'd been hunting for quite some time. Will recommend and will be back :)

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 nothing is priced. The…read moreowner will price everything at the counter. I looked up on this dog records. He was quoting me as $80 were selling on discount for 20 records that were selling on dogs for 10 bucks he was quoting me at 75. The guys are crook avoid this place at all costs. Do not waste your time or your money 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.