Here at Audio Conspiracy we are always on the lookout for great locally owned independent record shops. Yes we are music junkies, but we are junkies with style and standards… Which I guess makes us connoisseurs quirky discerning consumers. Yes, we are discerning consumers who exalt upon finding retail locations that cater to our kind. Local shops are simply more fun to play around in than large chains. Don’t get me wrong big chain fill a role (albeit a boring one), if I am looking for a discount dvd copy of Monster In Law I know where I can go. But they are always the same. Some people in blue shirt over here, some big screen TVs over there. I never walk in and go “wow this is different.” I love local shops for the same reason I love custom cars and graffiti, they all deviate from the normal and took a lot of love to create. So when we find a good shop we get really excited.
I discovered Waiting Room Records like many people have, while attending college at Illinois State. Now college town record shops can generally go one of two ways. On one hand you have the crappy college record shop stocked with used copies of Dave Mathews Band cd’s and staffed by insipid undergrads who use it as a cover to sell weed. On the other you find gems that have an eclectic mix of product and are staffed with friendly fellow music geeks that actually want to help you. Waiting Room Records is most assuredly in the second category.
Much like the town of Normal, IL waiting room records is nothing much to look at from the outside. It is little more than a tiny slot in a smallish building on a less than large street. However, (also similar to Normal) if you actually take the time to go in you will be surprised by how fun and cool the place really is.
One of their Famous Wall Displays
While their location may not be huge, they really do pack it full of cool media. Sure they have CDs, but they also have a really good selection of vinyl LPs, DVDs, and books (some of which are written by local authors and researchers). So if you happen to be in central Illinois and have a desire to throw cash at people you should do yourself a favor and check this place out. Waiting Room Records can be found at 113 West North Street in Normal or online by clicking the pictures above.
