The great engine of the U.S. economy is consumer spending - the money we all shell out on everything from cars to carrots. Much of that money is spent in malls and big box stores, and of course a growing amount is spent online.
But in Maine, a lot of people still like to shop in small stores in small towns. Stores that sometimes have more character than you'll find in all the malls put together.
Vinylhaven in Brunswick is just such a shop.
The space, owned and operated by David Hunt, is crammed with thousands of records. And business is good. Despite the rise of CDs and digital music, Hunt says that 2015 was the best year he's ever had.
Vinyl enthusiasts say there's a warmth, a presence, in these recordings that you just don't get from CDs and digital formats.
The shop also repairs and sells vintage stereos and turntables. Even stuff that's more of a curiosity or historical relic at this point like bees wax music cylinders.
Vinylhaven has no website or Facebook page. Here's their address:
Vinylhaven Records/Finestkind Electronics
147 Maine Street
Brunswick.