For any aging Knoxville scenester, the mere mention of "Raven Records" recalls cherished memories of the Age of Vinyl, when you could hang out at a record store all day chit-chatting with clerks about that awesome show last night (and occasionally buy an LP). Raven--first located in that hollow behind Walgreen's where Pluto Sports is now, and then on the Strip proper--was the place to be if you were obsessed by music. And that was because everyone else in there was, too.
Owner Jay Nations presciently closed the place down and went online-only in the mid-'90s, breaking many a music nerd's heart. But now he's doubled back and has decided that vinyl retail is where the future is at. In partnership with collectibles auteur Jack Stiles, he's back in the biz with Raven Records & Rarities in Bearden (5710 Kingston Pike, across from Bearden Elementary).
The doors opened just this week, but the scent of vinyl and vintage paper waft through the air like a fine mist. For any collector, it is a joy to take a whiff and behold:
Jay's vinyl collection is superb, offering lots of different genres in great condition and at reasonable prices. Jack's movie and TV collectibles are often amazing -- where else can you find a collection of Warren Oates movie posters?
Prepare your wallets, pop-culture geeks...
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