Record Archives: A Hidden Gem

HENRIETTA, N.Y. - To music aficionados, an adventure awaits for their next musical passion.  For 46 years, a collection of CDs and LPs has been built to preserve the musicians from the 60s to the present both well-known and hidden gems.

In Rochester on 33 ⅓ Rockwood St. the Record Archive collects records from the 60’s to the CDs of the 90’s to the present day with an assortment of movies on DVD. The employees often run the store at the speed of a vinyl.

Even though Richard Storms founded the Record Archives, the store was passed down to Alayna Alderman, vice president. Under the vice president’s control the store has run smoothly with a vigorous approach.

Rochester, NY- February 18: Detail view of the front wall on February 18, 2024. The CDs section with musician posters.

Throughout the Record Store’s existence, the store has been in four separate places, finally settling in the current location. There has been one customer that has followed the store from 1978 till now. Rick Simpson is a frequent customer that has built a collection of LPs and CDs since high school.

“Took a year off of high school and college to build LP collection, often go to the Record Archives when a new song pops up.” said Rick Simpson

Rick Simpson runs a radio show called Gumbo Variation. The local artist plays music related to music history, playing singles that have been made related to the date. A third of the show is related to local artists. At the end of the show, Simpson plays a CD or LP related to the band that is playing at the Record Archives that night.

Rick Simpson on air, “If you liked what you heard, you can hear them tonight at the Record Archives at 6 pm.”

The Record Archive collects different forms of music from vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes and even DVDs. Once collected, each one is sorted by their genre in alphabetical order of the musician’s name.

Each week, Alderman buys new records to be displayed for the customers' fascination of hearing different music. Simpson comes in every week to check out new records and CDs on display on the shelf. On the right, a shelf houses new releases before going down the ramp.

“Purchases related to my show, got an idea. I go down and get something.” Simpson mentions.

On some occasions, customers come in to sell their record collection to buy a rare record. Those records bought would need to be checked for their condition and placed in the correct category. The Record Archive sells records related to music and the merchandise of the bands and other collectors’ items.

Rick, “Have an exciting collection of music, you can be a fan of any type of music and you can find it.”

Most of the collectors’ items are from the 60’s and 70’s with glass cups depicting your favorite musician as Jesus or a toy of a famous mascot related to the band. To honor the Rochester community, local visionary artist Dellarious’ posters and other local products are sold here.

Rochester, NY- February 18: A tight view of Rock and Pop CDs for sale on February 18, 2024 in Rochester, NY.

Before the week is over, Alderman schedules local bands every Wednesday at 6 pm and Friday at 4 pm On a brick and mortar place the local band’s CDs and vinyl are sold to the customers that are interested in their music. Depending on the reception of the performance, the local band could be scheduled two or three times that same week.

“Four bands a month. Booked for the year, nothing like performing original music.” said Alderman.

During the performance, the Record Archive has its own liquor license to sell local beer, cider drafts, and hard seltzers even creating their own beer with Genessee. On the day of the performance, Alderman prepares for the concert by setting up the bar with refresh taps, checking if the stereo system is running, and preparing the night lights. That is only half of the necessary requirements for the concert.

Rochester, NY - February 23: A wide view of the Rochester band

Erin and Ross on February 23, 2024 for the Q&A event on Wednesday.

For the Happy Hour event with Erin and Ross on Friday February 23, 2024, Alderman is friendly with the customers and the band, providing peace of comfort with necessary refreshments. Normally, a band is not scheduled for the Happy Hour event, but the band has a French Horn.

“Fascinated by the French Horn. How often do you know a band with a French Horn,” said Alderman

The music went from 4-6 pm with a fifteen-minute Q&A session. The genre of the band was a 50’s style music with a mix of jazz, R&B, country, and folk.  The first few songs Erin was on the French Horn and showcased her vocals as a jazz singer. She impressed one audience member in attendance.

“She has incredible range from high to low,” said Wendy Lee, an English teacher at Wilson High School.

She eventually got on the piano and the accordion, air blown piano, for a full song. Ross was on the electric guitar for most of the show with the electric riff complimenting Erin’s vocals. The rest of the band was on a bass and a violin. The band member that played the violin, played the instrument close to a fiddle for their country mix songs.

In between performances, a tip jar goes around for the band and a raffle for the audience to get free stuff near the David Bowie poster.

Alderman pitched the idea of the backroom to Richard Storms, the original owner, ten years ago making music free and accessible to the Rochester community.

“Always want to make music accessible and free to everyone.” said Alderman.

To give back to the community, most members of the community feel a connection with the Record Archives, making the bar area of the store sacred grounds.

“I think a testament to how highly people think of Record Archive and the community and vibe we foster is that we have weddings and funeral wakes and memorials frequently in the venue side of the store; what an honor that our lovely record store serves as hallowed ground for many people in the Rochester area!” said Margaret Storms, Vinyl Manager.

Rochester, NY- February 18: A wide view of the concert room in Record Archives on February 18, 2024 in Rochester, NY. The concert room is packed with people, young and old at night time but during the day this is the set up.

After the local band has performed at the Record Archives, the band and Alderman will set up a time and day for a CD party to celebrate a new album. The CD party consists of the band performing their new album in front of family, friends and fans. The fans in attendance will have an opportunity to buy the new album on vinyl and CD at a brick-and-mortar space, if the band chooses to make them available.

Normally Alderman comes in five to six days a week. When she is at the store, Alderman has a plan in motion for the entire day. Although when Alderman is not in the store, the store is run through Storms. She has been working for the Record Archives for 20 years and is a second-generation music fiend.

Rochester, NY- February 18: A medium shot of Margaret “Stormy” Storms on February 18, 2024 at the Record Archive behind the Vinyl Counter.

Storms grew up around the record store with the original owner of the Record Archives being her father, Richard Storms. Being around the record store, she came to the realization that this place was the best for her. Even visiting the Amoeba in Hollywood, the Record Archive was still the largest collection of disc media that Storms wanted to be. Storms organizes the Vinyl Records and sells any technology related to vinyl.

When asked about Alayna Alderman, “lovely, generous, very driven and motivated. Magnetic and present in a cool way.” said Storms.

Rochester, NY- February 18: A medium shot of Ari “Ziggy” Vancheri on February 18, 2024 at the Record Archive behind the clerk desk.

Ari Vancheri, sales clerk, earned a job at the Record Archive right out of high school. Now working for the Record Archives for a year and a half, Vancheri loves the skills she has picked up. Vancheri has picked up on people skills talking with different genders, ages, and race. The busiest of days are on Saturday and Wednesday.

When asked about Alayna Alderman, "She's a great boss and I love working here with her. I got this job here a month after I graduated high school." said Vancheri.

Alderman works to give back to the community but it's the staff that is the driving force of the Record Archives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff gave back the money to Alderman to keep the Record Archives open.

“They really take care of the staff, true rock stars.” said Alderman.

Resources:

Alayna Alderman, Vice President and Co-Owner, Record Archives, alayna@recordarchive.com

Margaret Storms, Manager of Vinyl Records, Record Archives, margaret@recordarchive.com

Ari Vancheri, Salesclerk, Record Archives, ziggnt@gmail.com

Wendy Lee, English Teacher, Wilson High School, School and Program Directory / Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School (rcsdk12.org)

Rick Simpson, Radio Show Host, Gumbo Variation, ricmonica31@gmail.com