CD stores will soon be something we'll tell our grandkids about. But I have higher hopes for the staying power of vinyl shops, and a gem among them is Jive Time. Located in Fremont, which is desperately trying to hang on to its bohemian status, Jive Time is one of the few stores around there that still feels like it comes from a counterculture neighborhood. They carry a variety of obscure albums hidden among the popular treasures, and even offer coupons on their Web site for things like free records. They also have a friendly and knowledgeable staff that knows music but won't make you feel bad about your tastes. Maybe that's where CD stores went wrong? I always felt my purchases just weren't quite good enough for the snooty staff, and iTunes makes it that much easier to hide my shame. But sifting through racks of records with the support of a judgment-free staff is a great way to pass an afternoon.—Suzie Rugh
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