NYC Record Stores & Rough Trade

Record stores: where music/skaters/artists collide:  Music is the thread that ties much of the creative community together.  It’s a shared passion that connects people.  Most music shops are small in size and are tucked along a string of other stores.  Each of these stores has a pull-down gate that covers the entrance when the store is closed. Many of these have murals that add to the character of the neighborhood.

Converse should offer all of the music stores a chance to have their gates painted by an artist.  Many shops would love to but can’t afford it.

Rough Trade at 9th Street and Wythe in Williamsburg

Rough Trade:  This venue doubles as a record store and music venue.  Many up-and-coming acts from the UK/across the US come here as part of their NYC tour and local talent with a following play as well.  Some of the bigger acts host meet’n’greets and sign merchandise after shows.

Personal note:  One of my favorite bands, Glass Animals (from the UK) played a show at the Bowery Ballroom (LES) on a Sunday.  The next morning they announced a surprise free concert/signing Monday night at Rough Trade. Only about 75 people ended up showing (concert the night before was about 250) and I was first in line to get my Glass Animals vinyl record signed! 

Upstairs View at Rough Trade

Entrance to the music venue at Rough Trade

Rough Trade has a small espresso bar and free wifi area next to a magazine rack (where we are now!).  Although with a section for seating, these amenities promote a "hangout" vibe where people can spend time browsing and playing music from the "listening station. Looking around the walls are covered with album artwork from recently released albums and a photo booth temps our team.  Near a staircase sits a bulletin board with a plethora of flyers.  

Converse has the opportunity to sponsor those OOH phone kiosks that will soon have Wi-Fi in NYC and make them in to pop-up listening stations. 

Rough Trade Bulliten

Rough Trade Magazine Rack (where we put print media)

Converse has the opportunity to partner with up-and-coming artists and put thin, "pop-out" vinyl records inside a print insertion.  It would be a fresh take at a medium where creative use of pages stands out.  It would add value to magazine readers as they get a record, and the artist extend the reach of their music.

Some essential equipment sits on a merchandise table: record collector sets, a personal DJ turntable, and a build-your-own, wooden crate to store vinyl records.  

Converse can convert old show boxes into record/CD holders to display collections in the home.