Is anyone on this board from out that way anymore? Are there any good spots to check out in Western, PA? I should also clarify that I'm not just talking about vinyl, but moreso just old/vintage toys and junk in general - collectible toys, flea markets, record stores, book stores, and I'm even open to antique shops as long as they aren't all just old jewelry and glassware and stuff. We're gonna be out that way for a weekend and we need stuff to do during the daytime.
of course, hit me up when you are going to be around. here are some spots, nothing fancy... SOUTHSIDE Groovy - vintage toy and junk store, not really any jp vinyl, but sometimes good weird stuff. OAKLAND (south craig street specifically) Phantom of the attic - a great comic book store with a small jp display of goji and kamen rider stuffs, large selection of indie comics and books there is a also a couple indie record stores across the street MindCure records (in polish hill) only records - i find good 12"s a lot. Jerry's Records - (squirrel hill) world reknown record store (dude was on one of the horder shows, lol) you could spend weeks here. lots of obscure shit at times, cheap. DOWNTOWN Eides Entertainment - pretty big - 3 floors of comic books & toys, records & media, books & mags, dvds and whatnot (was THE place for everything, along time ago) Warhol museum - alex ross exhibit opens on oct 2nd! matress factory - another cool museum there is a Half Price Books in every area of town north, east, west south - i frequent these a lot for occult books, graphic novels, art books etc... i will have to think of more...
I was just out there not too long ago for a UFC fight. I wish I would have asked this question before I went!
Excellent! You're the best, Lurker! We're heading out for the drive-in show again this year. Just a few weeks away!
I'm so excited to find out Jerry's records is still open! That place rules...it was actually in a dream I had a few nights ago... I haven't been to Pittsburgh in over 10 years (after living there for 5), and was wondering about a lot of the places Lurker listed...also, even though it's a chain, I found a lot of great books over the years at Half Price Books around there...so it's worth a shot if you have a car! There's also a LOT of great food...Lurker will know the best spots still open. Man, I miss Pittsburgh. It's really a great town, and way underappreciated. (If you likes some of the ol' art, GO TO THE MATTRESS FACTORY! It's a very unique space, and always has interesting stuff on view. The Warhol is great too, if you've never been there it's worth it.)
I spend way too much time at Phantom of the Attic that Lurker mentioned above, but there is also an amazing little comic book store above MindCure that is one of the best I've ever been to -- Copacetic Comics. Nothing mainstream, lots of interesting and obscure, plus books and movies. The insanely enthusiastic owner is a Pittsburgh comics scene legend who knows everything about everything, comics-wise. No vinyl or plastic, but great paper.
Don't forget eide's on Penn ave. In the strip primanti's is not far from there. Haven't been to phantom in a few years but it was where I picked up the first super7 mag many years ago.
Eides...I used to work there back in the day. It was the spot. Half was comics, the other half records.
What I don't get about Eide's is how it used to be the only game in town for Japanese toys, comics, and movies, and then when that stuff blew up in the 90's the place stopped carrying Back to the topic at hand, the best vintage toy store for hundreds of miles in any direction is Pop! Culture Connection (not to be confused with Cash-In Culture) in Greensburg, PA (105 E.Pittsburgh St.) It's hardly twenty minutes down Rt. 66 from the fest you're attending, if you collect vintage you are nuts to pass it by. If I started describing this guys inventory you'd all think I was full of shit. No vinyl, just vintage. Hit me up if you want his number, sometimes he does shows on weekends.
That sounds great. Yeah, we're actually staying in Harmarville, and are not at all opposed to driving around during the day, so it doesn't have to be in Pittsburgh proper.
Thats the Toy Karma 3 weekend so I will be in Chicago that weekend, may try to come out Friday night for a bit though. Steve that vintage place sounds cool I will have to check it out.
For the record. I came across this image a long time ago through another board. I see you've since commented.
Lurker rules! You should try to come out Friday. We'll be there Fri & Sat night. around during the daytime if you wanna go to any of these spots, but I assume you're leaving for Chicago on Sat. Do you still have my #?
RIP 'Ardman' (dude on the right) he put more vinyl records in my hands than should be allowed by law. was always a good dude, he passed on quite a while back. best memory would be hanging out with him at a W.O.W PLASMATICS 'Maggots Tour' concert in a venue that used to be a roller rink in the 70's, then meeting Wendy(RIP) who was very considerate and thoughtful. i miss both of them.. tho honored still for sharing some time together. you folks ought to hit this place up as well if you are driving around they are known to have Blythe doll & old halloween time stufs etc http://wherethetoysare.com/ if you want a personal tour of the locations the original Night of the Living Dead was filmed i would happy to creepy crawl for a bit, been there 100s of times.
John I may take you up on that NOTLD farmhouse tour, I've never been there. My friends used to dress up like the Misfits and go!
Ha! great photo! I just found out that P!CC is closed next week. Sorry for hyping it so much without figuring that out first. Jeremy says he'll be back on the 11th, so maybe there's still a window open. I hope you enjoy your stay!
