Located in Patchogue is a cozy spot for music lovers, where vinyl records carry a sense of history and music fills the air in the aisles. Record Stop, a family-owned store since 1974, stands as a beacon of music culture and community, especially on the occasion of Record Store Day, celebrated last Saturday.

Record Store Day, an annual celebration inaugurated in 2007, resounds through the world of music on one Saturday in April and every Black Friday in November. It’s a vibrant event that unites fans, artists, and independent record stores globally.

At Record Stop, located on 30 Railroad Avenue, the spirit of Record Store Day was apparent. Long lines formed outside, with people waiting and eager to get their hands on exclusive vinyls from their favorite artists.  Once inside, the store was filled with people of all ages, especially parents with their children going through stacks of vinyl in the different aisles. Numerous individuals in line were holding vinyls of Taylor Swift’s latest album “The Tortured Poet’s Department,” a highly sought-after item among customers in the store.

Jeff Berg, the owner of Record Stop, recently celebrated the store’s 50th anniversary in March, marking five decades of its legacy. Originating in Ronkonkoma, the store relocated to Patchogue in 2017, recognizing the town’s lively community and bustling atmosphere. Berg’s journey in the business began when he was 14, working in the record store with his father, Bruce, the founder of Record Stop.  “Music has been baked into my life,” Berg said. “Mostly, it’s a business, as it’s what I do to survive, but I’ve been so immersed into it I never realized how much it is a part of my life.”

Berg reminisced about the times when there was no choice but to go to a record store if you wanted to hear music. “Even now, despite times changing and everything being digital, everyone likes to own something and have something tangible. People are still buying records, as they want to own music rather than digital, as we are all naturally collectors,” he said.

Jesse Smith, a former DJ and loyal member of the store at 59, was carefully going through the stacks of used records, trying to grab some good finds of his favorite artists. “I’ve been coming here for years. I listen to a lot of R&B, Motown, and classic rock. The store has a wide range of music, making record shopping a lot of fun,” he said.

Matt Donato, 36, another frequent customer at Record Stop, said he learned about the store through the internet and comes every four months. He has spent the past few years record collecting and prefers the studio version as he feels it immerses you directly into the artists’ world. He also shared his unique approach when it comes to record shopping. “Whenever I buy records, I always hold onto several for about 20 minutes, make sure my heart is in it before buying them, and then see if there are more around the store, as it can be overwhelming since there are so many options,” he said.

Berg recalled how he always appreciated the sense of community and conversations customers would have in the store. “My favorite thing about the store is that people are interested in the records and when the weekend comes, they come in to kill some time and talk with other customers about music; it’s almost like a coffee shop without coffee,” he said. n

Anjulina Varghese is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.