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!

Really cool place. I thought it was just a record store but it's so much more. Collectibles and…read morepinball machines for days. I will have to go back when I have more time. The owner showed me around and told me to take as many pics as I wanted. Check this place out if you are into records, CDs, collectibles, pinball machines, graphic t-shirts etc!

So this is a mixed review. There are some things that I absolutely love about this place and then…read morethere are things that I can't stand. Let's start with the vinyl section: The albums are haphazardly scattered about the section with little to no care for condition or storage. They are in a very poor order and not well organized. You can find a few gems but they often have bent corners, they're scratched or missing sleeves. I wouldn't look to buy any used LPs here. Next up pinball: I absolutely love the set up with the black lights and nostalgic sounds that comes from the pinball machines. This is truly a time capsule and is worth the visit if you enjoy vintage pinball. I can not honestly think of another location like it. Finally the head shop / general merchandise: Much like the vinyl, it's a mess. Not easy to find anything. You'll end up stumbling on something rather than find what you want. Lots of items I noticed are damaged or broken due to lack or care. It's a shame because there is a lot of beautiful stuff. In conclusion; this place could be great if it was cared for. Not sure why it's a train wreck of disorganization, but it is. I could have easily dropped a few hundred dollars on my visit today but didn't because the condition and state of the items I wanted were not acceptable. If you want to play pinball, this is THE place. If you want to buy merch/vinyl, there are better places within a 30 minute drive.

It's been more than a few years since I've been here, and...realistically...record albums haven't…read morebeen a "thing" for me for more decades than I care to count (strangely enough, I have all my record albums stored in 2 large cardboard boxes, and even though I'll probably never play them again in this life, the thought of actually getting rid of them or selling them fills me with an inexplicable dread and just the thought of it is intolerable to me. The oldest of those records I've had since I was about 5. Anyway...). Record albums seem to be Rhino's mainstay, although their selection of CDs, which I've been collecting for decades, is extensive enough. Still, I'm heartened to see that Rhino still seems to be going strong, and that records are still, or are becoming once again, a "thing" for a lot of people. I'm a big fan of physical media, in my case CD's, DVDs, and...increasingly...Blu-Ray. I like to think my collection will outlive me. And for those who are record album collectors? I do understand... As I've mentioned in numerous reviews, the Hudson Valley was always my "happy place," since childhood, and as I got older and started driving longer distances, I often came back to the area, exploring it and expanding my awareness of it beyond my childhood and teen "comfort zones." I "discovered" New Paltz almost by accident, but I was intrigued. A delightfully scenic Hudson Valley town with a long, fascinating history. I found the parking intimidating (back then, you parked in a big, grassy lot and obtained from a machine a "ticket" that you then put on your dashboard. That ticket entitled you to a certain amount of "parking time"-- They had the same procedure in Nyack, which also became a town I liked to explore; I felt much more comfortable parking in a commercial garage like they had in NYC or Philly, but it evidently wasn't an option this far North up the Hudson), but I'd grit my teeth, park, leave the ticket displayed on my dashboard, and walk down the street past the unique shops and colorful restaurants, all of it having the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains as a backdrop off in the distance, until I reached Rhino Records. Rhino became my main destination. I thought it had a vast selection for such a small space. Strangely, I mainly remember what I DIDN'T obtain there, as opposed to anything I did, which in no way reflects on Rhino. At 1 point, I was trying to get the CD for the Stooges immortal "Raw Power" (I was in the process of replacing my most treasured albums with the CD). "Raw Power" was 1 of my most revered albums. It was the Stooges and Black Sabbath who got me through high school (just barely, but I couldn't have withstood those years without those records). Iggy had released a re-mixed version of the record on CD, which I had, but didn't like. Even though David Bowie's mix on the original album has been criticized ever since, that was the version I wanted. The clerk was sympathetic, but that original mix wasn't available on CD (it did ultimately become available, thank God!-- I encountered the same problem at a record store up the street, heading towards Rt. 9W, in what I remember as a strip mall. The name of that store escapes me now and I don't know if it still exists, but I tried to get a CD of Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers "Live at the Lyceum." They didn't have it, although I was ultimately able to obtain it.) Years later, my friend and his wife bought a 2nd house in Kerhonkson. I'd visit and we'd travel to Saugerties, Woodstock and New Paltz. My friend could peruse jazz record bins for hours, and we'd always stop at Rhino, and Banner Books down the street (which also, I'm gratified to learn, is still in business). The last time there, my friend was intending to spend the entire afternoon before heading back to NJ, but I was stricken with an intense migraine that felt like some organism trying to claw its way out through my skull. I had neglected to bring my pain pills (Vicodin and Percocet in those days, for both "pain and pleasure") and practically had to beg my friend to cut short our shopping excursion so we could head back. My friend agreed but he wasn't happy about it (we're still friends...I was best man at his wedding...but I've never been invited back up to Kerhonkson, and I can't help but think that that excruciating migraine was the reason why). I don't remember that Rhino sold books back in the day when I was a semi-regular patron, but it seems they do now. I remember that their prices seemed reasonable. If you're into record albums or CDs, Rhino is definitely worth an extended visit. These days, I prefer staying in NJ and going to the Princeton Record Exchange, but the next time I come up to the Hudson Valley...which hopefully will be sometime in the near future, God willing and the creek don't rise!...Rhino is a definite stop on my travel itinerary. Stores like this...and there aren't all that many of them around anymore...should be celebrated.

Record shops are the archeological dig of popular culture... you just don't know what's lurking…read moreunder the next pile of vinyl or CD's. I'm long past the stage of assembling a collection of music but am always fascinated by the opportunity to run into a chestnut. Rhino Records is a perfect place to lose yourself for a few hours. You may not run into a Pharaoh underneath the rubble but a clean copy of Disreali Gears is more than enough for one visit. Five easy stars.

FYE is my go to place for kpop albums sometimes apparel and most of the time Japanese candy. What I…read moreabsolutely hate about this place is that they have a pedophile hired here. He follows me everywhere in the store and checks up on me every .05 seconds. Like whoa hey buddy, just because I'm a customer that comes here often doesn't mean that you can stare at me when I'm browsing or ask me if everything is okay. The rest of the staff is awesome. It's just that one man that creeps the hell outta me and I hope he gets fired.

So, i haven't shopped at FYE in a very long time, but i only recently found out that their…read more"vip"membership has been charging me for months after I had cancelled last year. They told me that they had no record of me canceling the membership and only refunded me two months worth of charges. Their customer service could not care less about their customers (that goes for all stores) and I sincerely hope that they go out of business very soon. This store in particular is always a mess, rude staff, and often times has a funky smell to it. HORRIBLE DO NOT TRUST FYE

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!

Let me start by declaring Sound Exchange the best record shop I've been to on the East Coast. Last…read moreweek, I visited nine shops across NY, NJ, RI, CT, MA. Sound Exchange stood out like a beacon in a storm--a storm of mediocrity. And Sound Exchange isn't staffed by a bunch of vinyl snobs, hawking $50 copies of the latest Taylor Swift. They have vinyl, cassettes, and CDs galore. If I'm honest, they had more CDs than I've ever seen in a single shop. Every genre. And the prices were quite reasonable. And the staff...Anthony knows as much about music as anyone I've ever met. He was also the nicest guy. I can't wait to come back! BEST SHOP ON THE EAST COAST--EASILY!

great prices. great service. superb selection of the latest and a nice assortment of vintage…read morematerial, also. the owner bends over backwards to help with any request and is more than fair when purchasing some incoming items he might not especially need. I make it a point to go there every week and am never disappointed. JOHN L.

Alan was so helpful and personable, helping us find every album, CD, and 8 track we were searching…read morefor and recommending us others biased on our likes. Alan even took the time to play each album we were purchasing to ensure sound quality. On top of it all, he was incredibly hospitable- offering us a seat and answering any questions we had about his former student, Frank Iero. We definitely felt right at home with him telling us a bunch of stories. My boyfriend and I both cannot recommend this store more. We WILL be back to see Alan and his company in the future!!

Small jewel of a record store, immaculately organized, the owner Alan will personally show you the…read moreboxes to look in and help you find items on your list. Sells used and new vinyl, new and used CDs & DVDs, some rare stuff, and everything is in perfect condition. Cash only, all sales final but if you have a problem, bring it back and Alan will work it out with you. Definitely worth a stop!

Great finds. Welcoming and willing to help you find your preferred choice. They're a library of…read moremusic, and great knowledge. Take a trip and enjoy yourself.

This place has not changed since I was a kid. If you want records this is the place to go. Great…read moreselection and something for all musical tastes. They also have old school games, DVDS, you name it. Service was polite though we didn't buy anything. Value certainly depends on what you're buying - some items seemed super reasonable while others pretty pricey (ie. A Tupac record for $70).

Great store. They always have everything you want and the prices are great. Thanks againread more

Not your average record store! Darkside Records is a must visit if you're in the Hudson Valley…read more Justin is awesome and the whole team is friendly, and super knowledgeable without being 'record store pretentious.' The new space is unreal and holds countless vinyl records, CDs, video games, DVDs, VHS, etc. along with so many cool products ranging from swag and gifts, to cannabis equipment and incense. Darkside has a great website to place orders in case you can't stop in in person. Even as a local, I place preorders online for new music, and always can rely on them to have what I'm looking for, including indie-exclusive pressings and vinyl variants. As a loyal customer for nearly 11 years, it's been great to see this business grow into what it is today. Excited for what this new chapter brings to them, and our community. The new Darkside is more than just a storefront, but a community and a VIBE! Soon, it looks like they'll have self pouring taps for customers, as well as a bar on the second floor. Hoping they'll continue to have concerts in the new space. A must visit!

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

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!