Evanston record store Animal Records usually opens at noon every day. But on Saturday, it opened at 8 a.m. for Record Store Day.
For some customers, RSD began outside the store at 6:30 p.m. the night before. A few people camped outside the store in hopes of being the first one in and getting their hands on an exclusive release vinyl. By 8 a.m., there was a line of about 75 people outside the store, said Greg Allen, owner of Animal Records, located on Grove Street.
Allen said on an average day, his store gets a few dozen customers. On RSD, he said he anticipated around 500 customers.
RSD is the global holiday for vinyl lovers held biannually on the third Saturday of April and Black Friday. Artists and labels release exclusive vinyls sold only in independent record stores on RSD with the purpose of helping business, Allen said.
Walking into Animal Records on RSD, customers were greeted by music, dogs from the Evanston Animal Shelter and special deals and giveaways. While the store had exclusive release vinyls, they also gave away goodie bags and posters, as well as other swag with certain purchases.
Live music performances began at 2 p.m., featuring local artists Nikki O’Neill and Joe Di Zillo.
“I encourage everyone when they come in, I say, ‘Hey, if you see a record you’re interested in, let me know, and I’ll put it on a stereo,’’’ Allen said. “We want people to feel at home.”
Some customers on the hunt faced disappointment.
New Trier Township High School senior Quinn Larsen said she arrived at Animal Records at 7:30 p.m. the night before. She camped out hoping to get the exclusive RSD “Wicked” release, a green and pink glitter vinyl with special cover art and a bonus track. The one person who entered the store before Larsen snagged the only copy.
For RSD, Vintage Vinyl, located on Davis Street, opened their “vault” of hand-picked past RSD exclusives, which Larsen said included two of the “Wicked” releases. They also sold out before Larsen could buy one, she said.
Unlike Larsen, Animal Records customer Eric Mayer said it is best to go record shopping with no goals or expectations and come across whatever might be in store.
Mayer said he listens to vinyls, rather than online music platforms like Spotify, as a way to “slow down” life.
“I think that our world is moving faster and faster and dedicating time to a specific record. … You might not like every song,” Mayer said. “It’s kind of a pacing exercise.”
Animal Records customers on RSD ranged from older adults to children shopping with their parents.
Allen said that while RSD is great for business, he views his store as a gathering place for the community.
“Obviously we’re here to make a profit, but we’re more than just about making a profit,” Allen said. “They (the customers) don’t have to spend money, they can just come in and hang out.”
Email: marleysmith2027@u.northwestern.edu
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