Ever feel like BB’s just isn’t the music store for you, but you don’t know where else to go?
Greensboro has plenty of other options. I found four stores that I’d recommend checking out, Mega Music Zone, Gate City Noise, J & B Music Connection, and Collectables.
Mega Music Zone, located at 720 W. Market St., boasts a collection of old- school rap and hip-hop, rock, pop, gospel, jazz, R & B, and metal. I have only one problem with that claim – their pop/rock section focuses mainly on pop music. Prices on new CDs there are fairly cheap, tending to range from $11-13. I found it interesting that they have a selection of old-school rap singles on vinyl for around $6-8. However, of the four stores, this had the most commercial atmosphere..
Gate City Noise, located near UNC-G at 401 Tate St., is the typical college-area music store – they have a great selection of punk and indie music. What particularly impressed me was that they didn’t have just one or two CDs by each artist; for example they had most of Bright Eyes’ work. Their used CDs range from $6-8 and used vinyl mostly ranges from $1-2. The store also has books; for example I saw some by Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Michelle Tea, Adam Voith, and local author Michael Parker, and some zines. The only problem is that they have no definite store hours, opening anywhere between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. I’d recommend calling them at 272-7883 beforehand.
J & B Music Connection, located at 928 Summit Ave., was the largest store and is open even on Sunday. They have a collection of blues, R & B, reggae, jazz, disco, rap, gospel, and go-go music. The staff is friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming atmosphere. They have CDs, records, tapes, videos, and listening stations to check out music before purchasing it. I noticed sale prices on a lot of music. They also sell blank CDs and incense, with a soda vending machine inside the store.
Collectables, located at 844 W. Lee St., has a wide range of musical genres in store, such as comedy, bluegrass, big band, new age, rock, early soul, blues, and opera. On the bargain racks, CDs cost 95 cents and records cost $1.50. Other CDs range from $6-9. Also, new imported CDs range from $4-8. DVDs, 45 RPMs, publicity pictures, and old magazines are also in stock. With such variety of used merchandise, this store almost felt like a thrift shop. At Collectables it seems like you could simply browse through and randomly find something amazing.
Depending on your tastes, one or more of these stores may have what you’re looking for.