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Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Album Den, Broad Street - 1986

From July of 1986 comes this gem. The Album Den resided at 301 W. Broad Street. Note the Billy Ocean and Madonna posters in the window in the large version, as well as the faded Maxell cassettes on the sign between the 2nd and 3rd floors. Not sure when this record store closed, but I do remember when Corporate and Museum Frame opened at this address in the early 90s. Can anyone shed more light on this store? I'm guessing from the font on their sign that the Album Den must date back to the mid 70s at least.


Photo courtesy of VCU Libraries

8 comments:

  1. I was a manager for them from 1981-1986, the best time for pop music and new wave. They closed around the time cd's came out. We just were'nt ready to switch over inventory. but, we sold t-shirts, posters, buttons, incense, "smoking accessories", and of course lp's and tapes (we still had 8-tracks when I started). There were 6 to 8 stores during the history and lots of cool in-store autograph sessions occured during that time. I met Stevie Ray Vaughn, Scandal, The Time, The Whispers, Skyy, Aurra, Run-DMC, but missed The Ramones at the Brookhill-Azalea location. It was a blast!

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  2. Glenn Morris opened Album Den in 1974.

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  3. I remember the Album Den at Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center. This had to be be around...77-81. I bought my first punk record there, " Never mind the Bollocks, Here's the sex Pistols"...in addition to others :)

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  4. They had the coolest clerks!

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  5. yes I remember the album den at brookhill azalea shopping center growing up in 79 -81 they had kiss pinball machine and a eight ball deluxe store had a unique aroma to it

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    1. 8 ball deluxe my all time favorite Pinball machine .Got autographs from Lusa Lisa and the cult jam .Bo legged lou .Brookhill Azalea

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  6. Hello,Dave. I would go to the Album Den location across from Southside Plaza,the store was a blast in the late 70's&early 80's with those huge glass bongs they sold alongside the black light zodiac posters they sold. The album selection was superb with every genre featured. The staff were very knowledgeable about the music,and the store always smelled nice with the scent of a burning incense. Those were the good days!.

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    1. Yes miss Album Den sign o the times .we were lucky to have hadcAlbum Dens in our age

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