Plaza Records in Carbondale, Illinois.
No, that's nowhere near Chicago. Carbondale is four hours south of the Windy City; it sits in the midst of the Shawnee National Forest and seemingly endless acres of farms that have been in families for 150-200 years; and it is the home of Southern Illinois University. Since it's the only place to shop between Paducah, Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri, Carbondale attracts all sorts of folks to its mix of big box stores and unique local retail shops. Plaza Records is among the best places in the latter category.
Because of all the university students and staff, Plaza carries all sorts of jazz, classical, rock, alternative, pop, electronica and experimental music. Because of all the chances their staff have to shop at country estate sales and yard/tag sales, they also have a wonderful selection of country, bluegrass, r&b, and '40s-'50s big bands. For the most part Plaza stocks music on vinyl - and they have a huge $1 bin that is always chock full of tasty LPs in "very good" to "apparently unplayed" states! I especially like the fact that Plaza is always happy to take LPs in trade - and they offer you a fair amount for your stuff and are happy to help you find things you might like among their stuff.
It's really nice to have an old fashioned record store where it's okay to spend all day browsing and listening to whatever the current counter person chooses to put on the turntable and share with the patrons.
Here's hoping you've got a place like that somewhere near you, too!
Keep listening and keep smilin'!
Kev
