I've just released some batches of vinyl for direct sale at KW Bookstore (King St. West, near Water St.) in beautiful downtown Kitchener, Ontario.
(Here I'll apologise up-front about Waterloo Region's light-rail transit project which has ripped up half the major thoroughfares in Kitchener-Waterloo for most of the last two years and into the foreseeable future. Please be patient driving around. Not my fault, but, hey, sorry.)
The owner/manager at KWB is Scott Hunter, a long-time friend, stop in and say hello to him. I used to work at that store, I know & trust Scott, he knows a LOT about music.
Location, store hours, etc.:
KW BOOKSTORE
308 King Street West, Kitchener(519) 742-1261
Now, there's not a huge inventory of LPs (yet). The vinyl bins are small. So right now there are probably 50-75 of Joe's LPs in stock, and will be replenished regularly. The LPs from Joe's collection so far are mostly promo LPs, the vinyl has typically never been played and is in pristine condition.
SO, if you're from out-of-town and thinking about taking a look -- again, it's not a huge inventory -- you'll probably wonder, hmmm, is it worth driving down...?
Perhaps not exclusively for the small selection at KW Bookstore, but if you're a serious collector looking for titles & deals then you really should check out Kitchener-Waterloo's *other* fine used- record sellers and make an afternoon of it.
Here are your other mission targets:
1)
ENCORE RECORDS
301 King Street East, Kitchener(519) 744-1370
Encore just celebrated their 35th anniversary. (Was it really that long ago? I swear I bought the first LP that store sold. R.I.P. Terry.) Big store/big selection.
2)
X-DISC-C
7 Moyer Place, Kitchener(519) 744-1370
Across street from Kitchener Farmer's Market, and a stone's throw 'round corner from Encore. Store owner Kevin is a lifer in the KW music record retail biz, from his years in the 70s at Records On Wheels through the 80s at Dr. Disc and striking on his own for most of the past quarter-century at X-Disc-C. The Facebook page purports it as "The best Independent Record Store in all of Southern Ontario," and weekly newspaper display adverts tout Kevin's store as having "the largest selection of vinyl in the GTA." I can't independently verify the boasts, and it may be a stretch to call Kitchener a part of Greater Toronto, but you'd be a fool to pass by without stopping in and flipping through his bins.
3)
ORANGE MONKEY
5 Princess Street West, Waterloo(519) 886-0939
Small cramped store with HUGE selection of vinyl, upstairs above Jane Bond cafe in uptown Waterloo (it's a "Twin-City," meaning it's just a bus-ride / couple kms down the main drag from Kitch). Years of experience and knowledge from Vince & Charles behind the counter. Can get crowded with minimal elbow room, but this is a Must-Visit.
THOSE ABOVE THREE RECORD STORES punch way above their weight and are the equal -- at least -- to the best record stores in Toronto, with competitive prices.
And if you're really feelin' it and looking to extend your vinyl adventures, it might be worth your while travelling farther down the road to the St. Jacob's Farmer's Market area (in north Waterloo) where there are a couple large antiques markets on either side of the main farmers market, featuring vendors selling large inventories of LPs.
NOTE: Stores all have different hours -- if you ARE comin' from out-of-town, check their websites for hours & locations, and you may want to call ahead first.
AND if you're looking for more antique collectible shopping, by all means check out these great retailers:
INDIE USED BOOKS & COMICS STORES
SECOND LOOK BOOKS
31 King Street West, Kitchener
(519) 744-2274
Fine used bookstore centrally located in downtown Kitchener.
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COMIC-BOOK "WAREHOUSE OF WONDERS"
3310 King Street East, Kitchener
(519) 748-0555
North end o' Kitch. Upstairs *and* downstairs (don't forget the downstairs, round-the-back warehouse!), Wes Hagan's pride 'n' joy is SURELY one of the biggest retailers of old/used/collectible comic books in Canada. Hundreds-of-thousands of comic books at reasonable prices.
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LOOKIN' FOR HEROES
83 Ontario St. South, Kitchener
(519) 570-0873
Comic book store across street from bus terminal in downtown Kitchener. Over 25 years running. I don't know the owner(s), but have always found their staff to be friendly & helpful. The store Facebook page is here.
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CARRY ON COMICS
32 King Street North, Waterloo
(519) 886-4267
Long-time comic book retailer with prominent corner spot on the main drag in uptown Waterloo. You can't miss it. Owner/proprietor Andy used to be my chemistry lab partner in high-school. Plays a mean game of basketball, and will talk your ear off about the Bills, the Sabres, and yes, comic books.
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OLD GOAT BOOKS
99 King Street North, Waterloo
(519) 880-9595
Excellent selection of fine used fiction & non-fiction titles located in an old house in uptown Waterloo, conveniently located near local head-shop (Different Strokes) and across the street from the legendary ETHEL'S LOUNGE, where you'll want to catch a beverage & burger on the patio and BE SURE to spend time looking at all the framed posters of concerts that Joe Recchia booked & promoted in the 60s & 70s (Led Zep, Zappa, Iron Butterfly, etc.)
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And of course you'll want to check out more than just LPs at the Kw Bookstore. They also have an excellent assortment of collectible books and magazines, as well as a fine selection of new international magazines & newspapers.
