I used to love independent record stores. Still do. There just aren't any in my adopted home of Roanoke, Virginia. Sure there are more great ways than ever to discover great music online, but for me none have replaced the pleasure of flipping through stacks of vinyl and CD's with something obscure playing in the background. Then there were the clerks who after sizing you up could simultaneously insult, educate and sell you something that you'd never heard of, but probably fell in love with after you got it home.
Places Of Worship
A few of these stores still exist and need to be saved--perhaps has historic landmarks, educational institutions or (for me at least) places of worship. If you share any of my longings for great indie record stores--or if you're too young to remember the good ones--take a couple of minutes to enjoy this Sam Coley produced profile (via Andrew Dubber) of The Diskery in Birmingham.
The video:
