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!

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!

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

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! This another store…read morewhere nothing is priced. The owner will price everything at the counter. I looked up each record i wanted to buy on discogs. Records he was quoting me as $80 were selling on Discogs and Ebay for $20. Ones that were selling on Discogs and Ebay for 10 bucks he was quoting me at $75. The guy is a crook avoid this place at all costs. Do not waste your time or your money here. There are far better stores within the area. Redscroll, Gerosa, Retro Shop, the Archive, etc.

Not really sure Not really that much of a selection. But very cute store but if you have…read moresomething in mind you might find something to interest you

Thank God for this place right before Christmas. picked up some novelty items that made think of…read morecertain people & helped me wrap up the rest of my shopping. but even better both my children are into record players & vinyl records & i was able to pickup some 70's/80's artists. right next to Rose Dairy & a pub across from yhe old Everybodys. prices reasonable.

Very cute little bookstore. Books are free - just donate something. It is not closed contrary to…read morewhat Yelp says.

Open mic Saturdays. Music improv last Monday of the month. Great intimate book store. Uncanny and…read morecommunal space. Kind creative people.

I have always enjoyed a good book & my coffee in the mornings …read more.. SO Bookstore Cafés are just awesome to me. This particular Café is 1 of my 2 favorite to go to. They have an amazing selection of books; old and new; they also have puzzles, mini science experiments, and so many other cool activities for yourself or to do with your kids which I really enjoy. Their coffee and food is pretty good - but the only thing I do not like is the volume of the noise inside. Between everyone talking and the appliances.. you can't hear yourself think. So if noise isn't a bother to you- then i would absolutely recommend coming here I have one place for that needed quiet time and then here for those more vibrant days.

MMMMMM YUMMM. Miso Latte probably the best latte I've had…read morein the past year. Didn't rate 5 stars bc they don't carry the most popular book in the history of the world... Even if you're woke, it's just a bad logistical move to not carry it... every bookstore should sell the Bible.

Really cool old school store with a huge variety of vinyl records all sorted by genre. The staff…read morewas readily available to answer any questions.