Places to Buy More Stuff You Don’t Need
In casual conversation, I have asked quite a few people lately whether they have visited such-and-such record store, and surprisingly, “Never even heard of it” is the usual answer. Apologies to those who already possess the knowledge of these places, but for the uninitiated, check them out if they sound interesting to you:
McKay Used Books is located just west of White Bridge Rd. on Charlotte Pike. As far as used record stores go, this is one of Nashville’s best. The front of the store is stocked with a better than average CD selection, a large DVD section (loads of TV shows), a really nice selection of used video games for all types of video game systems, and a sorely unorganized wall of LPs. The rear two thirds of the store contains a library of used books of all types. By the front counter they have a cabinet with all sorts of iPod accessories and gaming systems and accessories. There is definitely something for everybody here, the only complaint being the unalphabetized vinyl. Latest great buys: XBox ESPN 2K5 Major League Baseball for $2.95, scratched copy of Rocket From the Crypt’s Scream, Dracula, Scream for $1.95.
The Great Escape Outlet Store is located just east of White Bridge Rd on Charlotte Pike. It just moved in to the present location about a month ago. Loads of $1 records, CDs, and cheap cassettes. I’m not a comics guy, but they seem to have a lot of those as well, probably just overflow from the main stores. There are a lot of collectors’ movie posters and dolls and things like that, I’m not enough of an authority to claim whether they’re worth anything or not. A big positive about the location is the amount of space in the room, the store is not cramped like the Madison or Broadway locations. A little junky, but worth a visit. Latest great buys: Springsteen’s Born in the USA, Cream’s Disraeli Gears, Neil Young’s Everybody Knows this is Nowhere, the Who’s Who By Numbers, and that Rod Stewart record with Hot Legs, all on vinyl, $10 total.
The Groove is a new and used record store on the East Side, right across from 3 Crow Bar in 5 Points. Could be called East Nashville’s version of Grimey’s as they have in-stores and such. Really good selection of used vinyl. They always seem to have just gotten in some good, hard to find punk or metal stuff .They’ve got a decent used CD section and also a new CD section as well that’s a little hard to navigate. It’s a nice store and is definitely worth stopping in if you’re in the neighborhood or are having a hard time finding a record around town. A little on the high side price-wise, but they are an independent store. Latest great buys: Blue Oyster Cult Secret Treaties LP $3.99, Shellac At Action Park LP, $8.99
Good list. As an added note I also want to point out that if you are SELLING used items McKay is by far the best option. You get way more money there than anywhere else (Great Escape for instance will sometimes offer you either NOTHING or 10 cents to take something off your hands). They give you a choice of either receiving cash or store credit. The store credit is always more than the cash option so it’s great if you are hoping to purchase an expensive item they have.