In a previous life I spent 21 years working in record/CD shops, 7 for a small East Anglian chain & 14 at my own little store, so the environment is kind of in my blood. For this reason I still go out of my way to find and support cool stores when & where I can. Downloading is undeniably quick & useful, buying online is convenient, but there's nothing better than browsing and discovering in real time, in a real store - specially if the people behind the counter are cool too.
Step forward Marjorie Eisenberg of Permanent Records in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York. OK, so it's not on everyone's doorstep - even if you live in New York! - but trust me, if you do find yourself in the Big Apple, take the G train, make the trip & check out the store. Marjorie keeps a fine selection of new & used LP's & CD's, features a band playing live instore most saturdays and best of all, is very friendly & has great taste in music.