New York: Manhattan: Soho

Last updated September 1, 1997
 

Housing Works Used Book Cafe
126 Crosby Street (just below Houston)
(212) 334-3324
Mon-Wed, 10-8; Thu+Fri, 10-9; Sat, 12-9; Sun, 12-7.
This is primarily a bookstore, with the profits going to AIDS housing. We check here at least once a week for the ever-changing flow through‹a consistently good grouping of vinyl in good condition at good prices. Most LPs $1-4. More and more they are learning what things are really worth, placing the truly choice finds near the register. Top location for used music books very cheap. As to their name-proclaiming function, this is one of the few places left in the city to have a relaxing coffee-soaked read in the afternoon, armchairs and table-tops spread all around the floor.

Mercer Street Books
206 Mercer Street
(212) 505-8615
Primarily a haven for used, out-of-print and rare books, they carry an equally eclectic collection of jazz, R&B, soul, folk and classical LPs.

Prince Street Flea Market
(outdoors, at Broadway)
A variety of vinyl and CD dealers every weekend, even in the winter if it's warm. Every once in a while the itinerant loft-dweller sells out their collection. Most used CDs hover at $5, and at least two prfessional vinyl dealers at well below any store prices. Sunday is twice as large as Saturday's market, opening around 9 am til 5ish/dusk.

Rocks In Your Head
157 Prince Street
(212) 228-4557
The original Soho record store. With a punk-rock hangover, they also stock the new, the unusual, the latest indie/underground releases on vinyl when available. Amidst well-organized bins with classifications like White Trash and Sleazy Listening discover a fine assortment used vinyl. CDs are hard to go through cause their clumsily trapped in glass cases. Tees, related books, videos, mags and assorted promo-only packages, all courtesy of your host, Ira.

Temple Records, inside Liquid Sky
241 Lafayette Street at Spring Street
(212) 431-6718
Perhaps the extreme in lack of markings by which the uninitiated may find guidance. Vinyl by sub-genre and label only. DJ will play selections. Perhaps it's the benches outside, but this place is a bit of a scene.

 
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