Coffee and Records
On my way to class last night, I stopped off for a coffee at Entropy, the on-campus convenience store in Carnegie Mellon's University Center. On my shoulder I carried my laptop bag, and under my arm, a record, James Gang's 'Yer Album,' their first. I was playing it in class later in the evening.
Two women stood waiting at cash registers, ready to process my transaction, a dollar for the cup, way better than Starbucks prices! When I reached the counter, coffee in hand, I placed the record down on the counter and reached for my wallet. I noticed the first woman looking curiously at the record. "It's a record," I joked, smiling. "You've seen them before, right?" She laughed. "Yes, but not for a while." "I collect them," I said, "I like the way they sound." The second woman reached forward. "May I take a look? It's bluesy, isn't it?" "Yes," I said, and asked, "Do you listen to records, too?"
She: "No, but my aunts and uncles have lots of them."
Me: "You just need a turntable. You can get them really cheap, used, and they play just fine. Go to Jerry's in Squirrel Hill. He'll set you up."
She: "Really? I go by there every night on my way home from work."
Me: "There you go. Have fun!"
She: "Thank you so much. I will."
She smiled. I left the store, smiling, too.
Kudos for not only for turning the folks down the turntable path, but also for supporting a neighborhood coffee-shop!
Last time I was a barista, I spent the majority of my tips on music at the used store, and I hope those two do too.
Reply to this
Dear Matt,
Thanks for checking to VinylRecordArchitect and for your Kudos. I don't know why I feel so good when I can recommend listening to vinyl records to someone - missionary zeal!
How did you find your way here anyway? Oh, right, the O'Reilly link!
Looking forward to more feedback from you in the future!
Best,
P
Reply to this