Record Store Day Recap
The Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District flooded with audiophiles, collectors and arts supporters on Saturday, April 16 for Record Store Day 2016.
While the lines were long and vinyl spun freely, Record Store Day brought a lot more to the neighborhood than just peak record sales. Business owners along Waterloo Road collaborated to offer cross promotions, specials, programming and one-of-a-kind experiences to highlight the district.
Music Saves kicked things into gear early on - opening the doors at 8:00 am for fans eager to scoop up limited album releases, grab bags and plenty of other Record Store Day gear. Poison Berry Bakery and Six Shooter Coffee were also in-store with vegan baked goods and fresh coffee.
Down the street, Blue Arrow Records hosted their annual customer appreciation day in tandem with Record Store Day. DJs Charles McGaw, Lawrence Daniel Caswell and Joe Friend spun records while customers browsed through vinyl deals.
Hungry customers stopped by the Beachland Ballroom for SuperDuper!: Record Store Day! featuring The Spoon Brothers spinning records, music quizzes and the best biscuits in Ohio. Thirsty visitors made their way down to Six Shooter Coffee for a $3 honey latte (with receipt from one of the record stores) or Packy Malleys for a pint of Dogfish Head Beer's "Beer To Drink Music To" (the official beer of Record Store Day).
Elsewhere in the district, Maria Neil Art Project had records spinning in the gallery, Citizen Pie had pizzas sliding in and out of the oven and the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library had craft beers pouring by the pint full.
Think that's a lot to do in one day? Just wait: the opening of another music business in the district is just around the corner. Currently located on E. 185th Street, Music Emporium is getting ready to open their second location next to Space: Rock (15721 Waterloo Road). The store will feature a wide range of musical instruments and parts, in addition to services like repairs and lessons.
Record Store Day is just one day in a packed calendar year that showcases the abundance of the music economy in North Collinwood. Check out live music - and a wave of other arts - all year round during Walk All Over Waterloo, held the first Friday every month featuring exhibition openings in the district's 14+ galleries along with special events in surrounding businesses. The Waterloo Arts Fest, held Saturday, June 25 is another great chance to experience hands-on arts along with thousands of visitors from throughout Northeast Ohio.