You would think that it would be hard to feel nostalgic for a time during which you weren’t even alive, yet that is exactly what I felt when I stepped into the Princeton Record Exchange last Saturday afternoon. Whether it be explosively colorful shelves lining every available surface, bright genre tags hanging from the ceiling, large artist posters lining whatever wall space is out of customer reach, or the sticker-bombed checkout counter, the inside of this seemingly inconspicuous white building is overstimulating in the best way possible.
Established in 1980 by Barry Weisfeld, an avid record collector who had previously been selling out of the back of his van, the Princeton Record Exchange holds a rotating selection of over 100,000 LPs, CDs, and DVDs across a multitude of genres, many of which are on display for customers to spend a lazy weekend afternoon sifting through.
Over its four and a half decades of establishment in downtown Princeton, the store has involved itself with the community via its open offer to buy out people’s collections of physical media at a reasonable price. For all the newly pressed LPs and freshly delivered CDs that clutter the “New Releases” shelves, an equal number of aging collectors’ items wait for a passionate buyer to dust them off. As someone passionate about not only music itself, but also its culture and fanbase, I felt that the store’s aisles are a haven for music lovers among the Princeton community.
In this day and age, the purchase of physical media may seem like a relic of the past — a mere symbolic, and often deeply personal, gesture of appreciation to your favorite artists. Yet, I still had a hard time walking through the narrow, album-lined aisles without bumping into someone eagerly clutching an LP or noticing a familiar cover at the back of the row.
To my surprise, the store was bustling that Saturday afternoon. As I looked around, I couldn’t help but notice the diversity of customers in every genre’s corner in the store. From elderly couples picking out their childhood classics to young teens rummaging through the new releases of their favorite local artists, it seemed everyone had something in store for them as they flipped through the alphabetized stacks.
After asking around, I found out that that day’s customer base was a relatively even mix of shoppers from Princeton and the surrounding area, as well as visitors from all along the East Coast. Whereas the presence of people who grew up in the LP era was to be expected, young adults seemed to be equally invested in browsing or shopping for such physical media. Even long after they had become obsolete, these records still incite a certain passion among newer generations.
“I think it’s like dragons. You want to see what you own. You like looking up at your wall and seeing all the art and everything,” said Alana, a 29-year-old from New Jersey.
“A lot of the music that I have found isn’t available on all streaming platforms, just for some reason or another,” added Devin, an electrical engineering student in New York and hip-hop enthusiast.
With much of the same fire in their eyes, store veterans from the local community continue to pay frequent visits to check out the store’s ever-evolving stock. A local jazz enthusiast, Dan, says he’s “here at least once a week for the last 24 years.”
It is the result of this vibrant Princeton community that the Record Exchange, despite the advent of the digital age, continues to thrive 35 years down the line. As the store’s collection keeps expanding, student musicians and music enthusiasts alike can catch a snippet of music history every time they take a trip to Nassau Street. One does not even have to make a purchase to get a meaningful experience from a visit to the Princeton Record Exchange. Whether you want to discover new music, explore regional scenes, or look at vintage singles, the store surely has something to captivate you.
Don’t rule out the possibility of a purchase entirely, however, as exciting finds prove to be commonplace among the store’s regulars. “Well, there was a record that I’ve looked for for 30 years, that I just found a few weeks ago from Doug Sahm … And so, you know, 30 years, to really be looking for something, and to suddenly have it up here in front of you is exciting,” Dan reflects.
As more students begin to incorporate ventures to the store into their lives, it continues to solidify itself as a crucial component of Princeton’s musical community.
“I think it’s something the Princeton community cherishes as well. It surprises me how often I see people carrying the yellow PREX tote bag around … but I guess people have also found the enjoyment in owning physical music that I feel, and that’s great,” commented Stanley Kong ’26, a longtime visitor of the store. Something as simple as the store’s bright and recognizable bags can reveal a web of shared passion that connects students across all majors and corners of campus.
Whether you plan on supporting the continued trade and sale of physical music, finding a rare record from your favorite obscure artist, learning about music history from its most authentic form, or seeing who else on campus might share your love for the art-form, I believe the Princeton Record Exchange to be a must-see local community attraction.
Eric Mohorea is a contributing writer for The Prospect and a member of the Class of 2028. He can be reached at em4523[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections@dailyprincetonian.com.
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