Celebrate Record Store Day with Indie Stores in Mississauga

Vinyl records may not be the most relevant item in today’s digital world, but it’ll be a long time before they’re forgotten. 

On April 16 it is Record Store Day, an annual event that celebrates independently owned record stores and the vast culture associated with them. 

As an unofficial holiday of sorts, Record Store Day strives to bring fans, artists, and vendors together. Many musicians make special performances and participate in meet and greets with their fans, while music companies issue special vinyl and CD releases. 

This year will be the ninth annual Record Store Day since its launch in 2008. The ambassador for the event is well-known metal band Metallica, and the organizers have announced exclusive releases including albums by David Bowie, Madonna, and other artists, according to the Rolling Stone. 

So what is Mississauga doing to celebrate this special occasion?  Insauga spoke with two local record stores, Archtop Cafe and Ric’s Recollections, to find out. 

Archtop is a quaint little cafe in Port Credit that sells vinyl records in addition to drinks, sandwiches and pastries. The shop is run by Ron Larcombe and his wife Kim Prussky. 

“We’ve ordered in a bunch of special releases for Record Store Day,” said Larcombe, who is opening the cafe an hour early at 8 a.m.  “On top of that we’ll have a sale for our regular inventory of new and used records.” 

Larcombe likes the idea of Record Store Day, saying it helps promote vinyl as a medium for music. 

“Vinyl has always been the best connection that you can have to the music that you like. A lot of that feeling is gone now, and the only thing keeping it going is the independent record stores.” 

Ric Cooper, owner of Ric’s Recollections, is similarly preparing his inventory with orders coming in left, right and centre. Cooper owns Mississauga’s only full-time record store, in business for 24 years. 

“In this digital age, people tend to forget what brick-and-mortar retail stores are all about,” Cooper said. 

He prides himself on working in the business not for profit, but due to his strong passion. 

“I’m in it for the music. I love music and I’ve always loved the best versions available, sound-wise. That’s why people buy records.” 

Whether it’s the quality of the sound or the atmosphere associated with vinyl records, Record Store Day may have something to offer to everyone. So don’t miss out – head down to a record store and enjoy some great music!