Nestled off of the Fayetteville Square is the renowned store, Block Street Records. Here you can find a music library full of all decades. When you step into this classic vinyl vault, you will experience a walk of all generations. No matter your age, you are guaranteed to find your favorite genre in this independent record store. Regarding music, Wade Ogle, owner of the company, has influenced those around him and worked hard to make this store the successful, local staple it is. While the storefront holds a vintage aesthetic, the business is always in a constant state of updates. The company continues to evolve with new records, seasonal releases, and fresh posters. With designs from local artist Chad Maupin at BigBot Creative, the record store also illustrates its t-shirt designs with glow-in-the-dark ink. “I like to present cool stuff and love when people are impressed,” Ogle states.
One of the biggest questions that Block Street Records gets asked is, “What should I know before buying a record player?” The first step to identify is your budget and the expectations you hold. A traditional record player setup is a turntable, receiver, and passive speakers. But if you are new to the collecting of vinyl, Wade suggests a turntable with a “preamp” and powered speakers. This is the simple option, where you can put more of your efforts into vinyl collecting. Block Street Records is a licensed “Audio-Technica” and “Edifier” dealer and is happy to help you find the perfect system for your record goals. Retro players tend to have sound issues, so a newer turntable is your best bet for the long run. Ogle’s favorite sound as of now is Frank Sinatra’s “Watertown”. “This record reminds me of what I thought adults were like in 1970. Classy, romantic, sincere, I love it”, Wade states. Head on into the store to find your favorite tune on vinyl.
The eclectic shop filled with deep cuts has maintained a diligent mentality through the years. Music can be a way of life for many, and the staff at Block Street Records does not take that lightly. One of the most popular days in the industry is “Record Store Day”, the single largest international record event of the year. Hundreds will line up around the square days in advance to wait in line for special, limited releases. Next April, keep your eyes peeled for this massive event that both locations take part in. The flagship Fayetteville location opened in 2014, and Bentonville welcomed a smaller storefront in 2018. Both stores receive hundreds of new and vintage records per week. Similar to movie releases, every Friday, new items come out for the store to showcase. Many new editions will include “indie exclusive”, which are only sold at independent record stores, like BSR. In the United States, there are approximately 2000 independent record stores today. You might be wondering, “What about the vintage pieces?”. Used and vintage records are what keep most stores open to this day, with their special value in the communities. “It’s a near-constant dopamine rush for us and our customers,” Wade says. Both shops are stocked and are always adding more where they can. Getting to scour through sections and bins of past vinyls makes the experience one you will never forget. This established business is pretty old school, with no website or online sales, keeping it brick and mortar only. Not changing anything has had a great impact on the company. Summer in Fayetteville is not complete without a set music list for you and your peers. Visit Block Street Records today to jump into the emporium of music and sound.
“I like to present cool stuff and love when people are impressed"