There are degrees of commitment in collecting records.
What starts at "free record player and a stack of random hand-me-down records" as a level one record collector can morph quickly into a $350 Carbon turntable and equally lofty cartridges, and repeat trip to IKEA in search of more KALLAX shelves.
Is there even time to listen to it all? After all, your vinyl habit will take you to established stores like Wax n' Facts and Criminal Records, through half the thrift store record boxes in Atlanta, and to the famous OTP locations for wax like Wuxtry in Athens and Mojo Vinyl.
With an already heavy rotation (wink, wink) of authentic record stores within Atlanta, it's funny to the established record collector to hear of a new and worthwhile spot worth checking out.
But today is that day, collector. The news comes to you by way of Clayton, Georgia, some 80 miles north of the perimeter up Interstate 85. The distance is prohibitive, yes. You will need to make a list outlining every hole in your collection, true. But Eric’s Records might just be worth it.
The record store, located at 811 Highway 441 N. in the Georgia Mountain Market, reportedly has 20,000 plus old vinyl records, and they are extensively cataloged, priced according to their condition fairly, with multiple issues of all kinds of famous records. If you like the Beatles' "Abbey Road", for instance, you can compare three records at three prices (Best, Better and Good) that reflect a commitment to a decent exchange. Buy the beat up sleeve version for less. Fair, and rare. Also rare? The sheer volume of exceptional old, hard-to-find and classic albums.
Eric's Records doesn't seem to have a phone number. Or a website. Not according to the internet, But go to this booth at Georgia Mountain Market, and you likely won't regret it.
While there, you’ll also have the option of perusing the goods at the Georgia Mountain Market, a flea market boasting 45,000 square feet of indoor flea market full of shops, novelty booths, and according to the GMM website, virtually “anything imaginable.” If you get hungry, The Wicked Pig offers a hefty buffet.
Eric's Records and the Georgia Mountain Market are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can make a whole trip of it by visiting downtown Clayton or the Stekoa Creek Park , which are minutes away, and next door to the market, respectively.
