THRIFT STORE SAFARI!

Today I visited 4 Thrift stores in and around North Charleston to check out local goodies rotting away out the of the public gaze...

My general feelings about the quality of vinyl in thrift stores:
1. Most records at thrift stores are totally worthless/uninteresting.
2. Most interesting records at thrift stores are badly damaged or missing the cover/sleeve.
3. It is easier to find LPs than singles at Thrift Stores.
4. Best Thrift Store Charities/Chains in my experience: 1. Salvation Army. 2. Children's Cancer Society (or something like that)
5. Mitch Miller must have been a multi-millionaire!!!
6. Most commonly overheard conversation in the parish hall of Southern white churches during the 70's: "Hey! Let's record an LP! Wouldn't that be... SWELL?!"

First thrift store: Salvation Army, 4248 Dorchester Road.
By far the best I visited on my safari. This store doesn't have much in the way of clothes but there were at least 300 LPs. And they're only 25 cents! There were a ton of great Soul LPs but in terrible condition without the sleeves-- Aretha, Supremes, even the Chambers Brothers' Time Has Come album. Sad. I did pick up the Ventures' Horse Power, a 1968 effort that includes renditions of Jumpin' Jack Flash and The Horse (Cliff Noble). Also some Enoch Light-produced albums on Command records from the early 60's (Piano, light jazz, etc). Enoch Light was a "stereo test" kind of guy and eventually became known (and collectable) for his Quadraphonic records in the 70's. No 45s at this store. Also picked up a record of banjo music and a "moods for moderns" accordion LP. Nice sleeves anyway.

Second thrift store: Carter Family Thrift Store, 2104-C Reynolds Avenue.
This thrift store has no records. Lots of furniture!

Third thrift store: L&W Thrift Store, 4226 Rivers Avenue.
It has changed its name and sells antiques. No records.

Fourth thrift store: Community Thrift store, 5300 Rivers Avenue.
This has long been my favorite thrift store for all sorts of items. A sign inside boasts 2,500 new items added daily. Not sure if that's right but they certainly do bring in new stuff here all the time. Not too many records seem to show up here but I have gotten many interesting things here over the years. 45s are 45 cents or 25 cents. LPs are $1. Best thing I picked up was probably an Arif Mardin single on Atlantic. Theme from Rosemary's Baby. I can work it into a lounge set. Also The Devil Went Down to Georgia. But it was a bit too scratched.

Fifth thrift store: Goodwill Thrift store, 8550 Rivers Avenue.
Goodwill has the most thrift stores in this area (and I think also in the US) which is OK although their prices are a bit higher. I didn't get much of interest although I picked up a K-Tel "Mindbenders" budget compilation from 1976. It has some good standard stuff like Kiss' Rock'n'Roll All Nite, Low Rider by War, even the Ohio Players. K-Tel was a cheapo record label that reissued stuff (mainly). This is one of those "Stereo" (also compatible with Mono) records. Judging by the number of cuts on the record (22) I think this means MONO (it takes up less space on the record). Ha! There were some other interesting things there including a bunch of 12" singles (a lot of early 80's Funk...) also some Sugarhill (old school) rap records...

Next Thrift Safaris will include West of the Ashley and Mt. Pleasant.

Tomorrow is LADSON day. Psyched!