Academy Records
Now that summer has fully arrived, an afternoon exploring record stores is a great way to experience Greenpoint and discover new music. Greenpoint has seven stores selling records, ranging from quality shops for vinyl aficionados to unusual, interesting experiences. Below is a list of Greenpoint record stores and a map to help you plan your route.
Academy Records
academy-lps.com
85 Oak St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Academy Records is largest record store in Greenpoint. Formerly located on North 6th in Williamsburg, it migrated to its current Greenpoint location a few years ago. It has a great selection of rock with used records on the left, new on the right.
I’ve brought: African Electronic Music 1975-1982, The Who, Live at Lives, and Francis Bebe.
Co-op 87
facebook.com/coop87records
87 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Co-op 87 is perhaps the smallest, and coolest, record store in Greenpoint. Located serenely off of McCarrren Park, it is in the same building as the Mexican Summer record label. It has a well curated mix of records with some interesting finds. Open until 9pm.
I’ve brought: Dizzy and Django, Jazz from Paris
Captured Tracks
capturedtracks.com
195 Calyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
The Captured Tracks record store is affiliated with the Captured Tracks record label. The record store is good place to chill in the evenings. It has a large bin of new arrivals in the front of the store to peruse and it’s open until 10pm. It has a variety of genres, including a section devoted to Captured Tracks artists.
Record Grouch
recordgrouch.com
986 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Located in the heart of Greenpoint, Record Grouch is where Greenpoint locals hang-out. It has some unique, sought-after records and perhaps the best name in Greenpoint.
Dream Fishing Tackle
673 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
The one-stop shop for fishing supplies, vintage furniture and used records. The records are a growing proportion of the store’s business. Large selection of popular classic rock records, however they could be better organized. I’ve bought: Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks and Prince, Purple Rain
Film Noir Cinema
filmnoircinema.com
122 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Having recently moved from its previous location by Five Leaves, the film noir DVD store has grown into a film noir theater! It still sells some records, including some Krautrock collectibles. I want to buy: Amon Duul II
The Thing
1001 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
The Thing sells stuff you’d find on a stoop sale. It has a very large collection of used records that are completely unorganized (as far as I can tell). Picture if someone collected hundreds of boxes of records from estate sales and then set those boxes down in the back of the store. Prices are low and the condition of many records can vary from severely scratched to tragically warped, but if you spend the time you can perhaps find something worth buying.
— Michael Swanson