the great pumpkin

What could make a record store an even more desirable location for me to visit?

I didn’t know either until my old haunt 52.5 Records in Charleston, SC announced that they would begin to sell a small selection of American craft and imported ales and lagers.

I you haven’t been to 52.5 Records it is more than a record store:

We aren’t really a museum, though some days it feels like we are. Library? Not really that either, but we do sell books. We also sell music (CDs and vinyl) and movies (DVD) and beer (a small, but quality selection of craft brews available as singles or in mixed 6-packs). We have a Reverend on staff, so we’ll be a wedding chapel if you want us to be. We also host regular art shows. So what are we? Come and see, decide for yourself.

Clay Scales, owner of 52.5, was recently written up by the Charleston The Post and Courier about his decision to start carrying beer. Here is what he had to say:  “Record stores need to offer something extra to draw customers into the store. Plus, you can’t download a beer.” (for the full article click here)

Beers are available for off premise consumption.  In my mind that equals one less stop before I am home listening to my new LP and having a tasty beer.

On top of 52.5′s already well know website CorporateRockSucks.com (you might have seen the stickers) they have launched the Beers, Books, and Beats blog updating people on the recent arrivals and happenings at the store.

You might notice North Coast’s Brother Theolonius being showcased in the picture above…  It just might go very well with a Theolonius Monk LP.

With beers from Oscar Blues, Victory, Bear Republic, Allagash, Stone, Smuttynose, Avery, Rogue, Ommegang, and so many more how can you go wrong.

Whether you are in the Charleston area or planning to visit…lovers of  beer, books, and music alike should stop into 52.5 and check out the selection.  No matter what you are into their selection should satisfy in more than one way.

I would also like to wish 52.5 Records a belated Happy Birthday! After surviving 12 years, three locations, and the rise of iTunes and the mp3….The store turned 12 years old this past February.  I guess 12 is the drinking age for record stores in South Carolina.  I remember when I was in middle school going to the first or second Anniversary party  at a sketchy little warehouse on Huger St.  My mom was afraid to drop me off there, but she did anyways…and I’m a better person for it.

I can’t wait to shop this store when I visit in July, and I’m sure more than a couple beers and records will be coming home with me.

If I can make a beer and music pairing….I recommend a nice Saturday morning…with a good dose of Brian Eno’s Ambient works (one, two, or four…your choice…music for films or the pearl would also work) and a nice glass of Founder’s Breakfast Stout (not sure if they are carrying this yet, but Eno and Breakfast Stout sound like a combination to die for…if by chance they don’t have that one, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy would get the job done).

Full disclosure: I worked at this store for several years when I was in college, but to this day I have found very few stores that revival their selection or atmosphere…and I have been to quite a few.  On that note…Clay, I miss you!

One other thing…This is post 100 of the Great Pumpkin!  I’m looking forward to many more to come.  Thanks for reading!

Tags: 52.5 Records, Charleston, South Carolina