Record Alley Reliving Music's Past

Nestled at one end of , Record Alley is one of the few true “record stores” remaining in a world of big-box retailers, and digital music downloads.

Owner Jim Stephens says in 2000, new CDs were about 85 percent of his sales at Record Alley. Now, it’s less than 5 percent. This made Stephens change
from a new music store into a store for used music, CDs and DVDs. 

“Definitely that last five years have been the worst for record stores,” Stephens said of the survival of stand-alone music stores.

“Its been tough for us, tough for everybody, but were still here. We have a good loyal customer base, because they know we have a selection.” 

Selection is an understatement. Tens of thousands of used albums, movies and CD line the shelves of the Palm Desert location.

“We have used DVDs, used CDs, and we have used vinyl,” Stephens say of the eye-catching row of used LPs. “The vinyl is just part of it, you know? We’ve always had vinyl. It’s really popular now, but it was really popular 10 years ago too.” 

Many are seeing a return to vinyl, not only as a throwback, but also as a collectible.

“People love it”, Stephens said. “They’re all across the board, from 8 to 80, they come in. We get eight-year-old girls coming in, and going through Beatles records. Then you have people my age that come in and it’s nostalgia. They’re amazed because they hadn’t seen vinyl in ages.” 

In 2010, vinyl was the fastest-growing musical format, with 2.8 million sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan numbers.

A trip into Record Alley is a throwback to the record stores of a generation ago. 

Walls are lined with t-shirts with bands from years past. Display cases are filled with items featuring cultural and music icons, from Bob Marley to the Beatles, Star Wars to Hello Kitty.  

Stephens says his store is unique in its selection, in that if he sees it elsewhere, he doesn’t put it on his shelves. 

“We found a good base of stuff that Hot Topic doesn’t carry, that Spencer’s doesn’t carry.  They’re a lot more trendy, with a lot more newer stuff.  So we stick with the old stuff, the forgotten stuff… shirts from groups like [Led] Zeppelin,” he smiled.

“And it’s not just the groups, it’s the style, people love album covers,” Stephens reflected while pointing out a shirt with the cover of the Beatles Abbey Road printed on it. 

So what do Stephens recommend as a gift for the music lover? It’s simple.

“People are buying used CDs, It’s not as a main gift, it’s more of a stocking stuffer.” 

The gift of music from a favorite singer or group from years past, may make that older CD a very cherished present for years to come.