It began in 1960 in Sacramento, when Russ Solomon started selling records out of his father’s drugstore, it became a household name, and synonymous with counter culture, great selection, and good prices. It began as a champion promoting local artists and music, and expanded around the globe, but somehow it's stores all retain a bit of that neighborhood feel (expect possibly the WOW locations.) The Mountain View Store is one of it's best, carrying a wide-variety of everything (records, videos, and books, and boasting one of the best classical music departments anywhere. The staff can be apathetic, but the selection can't be beat. And there are people there in the bowels that really know and love the music as much as any customer. The new redesign is lacking, however. It's just a big wearhouse now.
more