The Archive is a physical media retail store that opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in June 2017. 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! read more

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Massive selection and great service. I got some anime and picked out a few of my favorite movies. Great place!

I loved this place even before I set foot in it, which is definitely a first, I feel. I follow their Instagram account @thearchivect where they post news about arrivals, pre-orders, available goodness, and events. As a child of the 80s and 90s, their content is super nostalgia-inducing. It is one of their posts that also led me to the punk rock flea market in New Haven this spring. I thank them greatly for that! On to the details! So they sell new and used movies, music, books, and memorabilia in a wide variety of formats to consume. The shop is neatly packed full of VHS tapes, BluRays, DVDs, cassettes, CDs, and a bountiful collection of vinyls downstairs. I have been to a few other "used" media places, but none were as organized and neat as this place. True collectors collecting and cataloguing for the benefit of other collectors. Love it! Atop the shelves and on the walls are figures, toys, posters, and props from movies, tv shows, and pop culture past to marvel at. Like walking through the coolest, creepy museum. I say creepy in a good way because they tend to be heavy on the horror, thriller, and sci-fi, my favorite genres. Many of the special editions and limited release goodies they get a hold of are also in this vein. In the back room they have vintage, full sized movie posters, the kind you would see hung up at movie theaters or your local video rental stores. They also have books and t-shirts. I think the only thing they are missing is a black cat familiar. Maybe he was on break when I was there. This place is a media haven and worthy of a stop or two! read more

This is a true paradise for those love to dig CT BEST KEPT SECRET Covering all genre & vibe. read more

The Archive - Vinyl Records Near Me - Bridgeport, Connecticut

I recently started collecting vinyl (mostly punk - specifically 90's skate punk) and even though I've practically driven past it weekly for 5 years, I've never been in. I came in on a Saturday afternoon and had to wait outside a couple of minutes due to COVID capacity rules. Came in and the first floor was all DVDs other than a few small crates of records. I walked to the back of the store and saw the stairs to the basement and walked down. I dug through the vintage used vinyl's for a bit looking for something, but didn't see anything that was interesting whatsoever and was bummed. I walked back upstairs and as I was puttering towards the front door I saw someone walk up a side staircase, so figured I'd take a few minutes to see what was up there. HOLY CRAP! As soon as I got to the upper landing I saw a huge new punk section. On my first trip I only got two records that I'd been hunting for, but easily could have bought dozens of them. Pricing is VERY reasonable and more or less comparable to online. A few days later I stopped back in to pick up something for a friend that I'd seen and figured I'd poke around upstairs again. They seem to have a decent hip-hop, metal, and hardcore vinyl sections (though I don't know those genres to say for sure), but they didn't have much in the way of pop or modern rock. Glad I took some time to dig through since I found a punk record on my list mixed into the hardcore section. Can't wait to stop by more in the future. read more

First time in the store, and no greeting or acknowledgment from the three employees behind counter. It was a little off putting because I wasn't familiar with the layout of the store and was not sure exactly what was where and felt awkward. I floundered around, ended up spending a couple of hundred bucks against my better judgement. I did not get a good overall vibe from the place. Felt like a club type atmosphere for locals and familiar faces and was never even asked if I needed help for the 45 minutes I was there. Unique store with a lot to purchase, with discounts if you know your price points, certainly nice to see physical media on the shelf which I appreciate and support. However...NOT my cup of tea, will stick with online purchases. read more

My son is very into music right now and found this place online. Three floors of records, CDs and videos. What a cool place! It's downtown, but parking on the street was easy. Music lovers could spend hours in there. read more

The Archive is a national treasure. I've brought so many friends and family there and (unsurprisingly) they're always blown away by the great movies, music and ambiance. The staff is cool as shxt and incredibly helpful (if you need it). Can't wait to go back again (and again and again and again). read more

Great store with amazing physical media including horror & music , awesome selection for physical media and music lovers, the people who work there are nice read more

Wow, what an awesome spot. Huge selection of vinyl. rare movies and a beautiful space. Will be back!

Great store especially for horror fans. The people who worked there were nice and their selection of movies were awesome aswell. Go here ASAP. read more

3 floors. Lots of vinyl. Lots of movies. Lots of horror. Laserdiscs. Dvds. Impressive selection of vinyl. Definitely worth driving to!

I loved going here and shooting the shit with the owner. A coworker recommended this place to me. He's a giant horror buff. He told me they had tons of horror movies and vinyl albums. I was headed to Fairfield so I was down to check it out. This place reminded me of Phoenix Records in Waterbury when that was a thing. The closest modern store that I suppose I could compare it to is Red Scroll Records in Wallingford. The owner is by far more personable though. It's just wall to wall stuff to get lost in and pick through. I miss that experience and the ability to talk to people about cool stuff you are into. I ended up grabbing Tales from the Crypt Season 5, a few Stephen King adaptations and a rare SOD dvd. I was like a kid in a candy store for about 35 minutes. It's definitely an amazing small business to check out. read more

The place is great if you're a fan of horror and exploitation films. I end up dropping a fair amount of cash but where else can one not only buy Rawhead Rex and Variete in one visit but also finds out the guy working the register knows them both. They do seem to be getting better the longer they're open, too. The vinyl collection seems great and we'll curated, but I don't have a turntable so can't wholly judge. It's a bit out of the way but worth a trip. Support them! read more

What a fantastic find right here in CT. This shop is super welcoming and a great place to just hang out and talk about music (especially punk/hardcore) and horror films. They have a couple of arcade games to play in the back (free!), and an amazing selection of vinyl, blue-ray discs, and vintage tees. The story behind the shop and the restoration business, Vinegar Syndrome, is very cool. Be sure to ask about it when you visit! read more

If you are looking for a treasure trove filled with vinyl, movie posters, vhs, and old movies you can't find anywhere else on DVD or BlueRay (thanks Vinegar Syndrome!) - then this is your place! My boyfriend is a HUGE horror movie fan (and horror movie director himself) and even he couldn't believe the movies they had available here. We'll definitely be back (as he now needs just about everything in this store)! If you haven't been yet, make this a definite "stop" on your list! read more

The Archive has quickly become one of my favorite local shops to visit. They have an incredible selection of cult, horror, and indie films plus a killer selection of vinyl all for a good price. The staff is awesome and very welcoming and easy to talk to and have only given me good recommendations. Support these guys & shop local! read more

Any lover of horror, cult or unusual cinema will love this place. Films in every format (even some beta!), plus vinyl, books, and some cool t shirts. Great staff and not too far from NYC. Well worth the trip. read more

I spent a lot of time browsing in The Archive and walked out the door with 3 Dvd's and 1 blu ray. I liked that not only did the Archive shelves have the to-be-expected Vinegar Syndrome titles (the 4 discs I bought), but they also had a nice selection of dvd's and blu rays from other companies, like Criterion and Arrow and Kino and many more. And then their LP section. Their record selection very much impressed me. While having many common artists, they also had just as many off-the-wall artists and un-common titles. And their soundtrack LP selection rates A+. Their section of VHS was fun to look over and the staff extremely knowledgeable in all area's of film and music. They had a super-large flat screen tv showing Yojimbo and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Matthau) during my visit. So, That impressed me too! I wish them great luck and success and hope to visit again and again. read more

Small space, impeccable taste! A beautiful array of horror films, vinyl and interesting art-work. Fulci films were not included in their collection du-jour butct the staff was more than helpful and offered to order them for me. While I could just Amazon them, I'd rather do business with The Archive. Btw, The Posession starring Sam Neil... collector edition and booklet...? This IS what's good in the world. ALL HAIL THE ARCHIVE. read more

This store is definitely one of a kind in a great way. Tons of B-Horror/Cult etc blu rays and dvds that you won't find elsewhere, and they are beginning to carry even more titles/brands. The guys who run the shop are super welcoming and are very easy to talk to. They occasionally have screening events and also carry lots of soundtracks and used records. Overall an awesome small business who deserves support. read more