I rarely bother with the mall chains anymore -- which is kind of sad since I
cut my teeth at a Strawberries in Avon, Conn., c.1984-1985, where the staff
really did seem to go the extra mile and was known for setting aside cool
records for particularly devoted customers.
Although I buy a fair proporion of my music online these days --
particularly since that's the only way to pick up Audities/Paisley
Pop-related artists, I will gladly and happily spend hours rummaging through
the bins at my local Borders.
Why?
Well, for openers, I'm consistently surprised by what I find there. I'm just
as likely to buy the new Shins as I am something by The Streets (can't
recommend their newie highly enough, by the way) or a dub CD by Augustus
Pablo.
With coffee and magazines just a few steps away, along with a few hundred
thousand books, it becomes a much more encompassing experience.

Maybe that's what more mainstream record stores need to start doing? Offer
coffee and comfy places to sit to make it a more homey experience? Oh, and
by stocking more adventurous stuff as well.

john.
___________________________
John L. Micek
State Government Reporter
The Morning Call
Harrisburg, Pa.