SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- A New Brunswick record shop marks a major milestone this year, but it is more than just a store, it's a hub for the local music community.
Owner Gordie Tufts is marking 40 years of flipping through and spinning vinyl at his record shop.
Originally opened in 1980, Backstreet Records has become an iconic institution for music-lovers in the Maritimes.
He says part of the reason he started the business was in response to the increase in records prices at the time.
"Used stores were becoming in vogue, so I took a trip down to Halifax to interview a couple of people who opened used stores in Halifax, and came back and opened one here," Tufts said.
Although the store also carries cassette tapes and CDs, the shelves here are mainly stocked with vinyl -- a musical format that, like Backstreet Records itself, has been able to stand the test of time.
"Just sliding a record out of a sleeve and putting it on a table and hearing it, the grooves, it has a warmer sound," Tufts said. "I'll stand by that any day, that vinyl sounds better than CDs."
Over the years the space has also served as a music venue in uptown Saint John, hosting in-store shows by local artists."
"These kinds of places, and this place in particular, are really critical to sort of the local ecosystem of arts and music in particular," said artist manager Peter Rowan."It's just a place where you know you could go and play and that there would be an audience here of people who cared and supported what you are doing."
A space to spin vinyl, and share in a love of music.
