Innersleeve Returns to Gansett
Innersleeve Records, which vacated its space in Amagansett Square in the spring, has returned to the hamlet. On Saturday, Craig Wright opened his shop at 199 Main Street, the former site of Gone Local, which has moved to North Main Street in East Hampton.
As at its previous location, the sunlight-filled space is stocked with second-hand and new LP records. When installation of bins and shelving is complete, visitors will also find new and second-hand CDs, turntables and amplifiers, and coffee-table books on music and popular culture. A wall-mounted flat-screen television will show concert performances and music videos, and a stage is being planned for live in-store performances.
The new space, Mr. Wright said, “became available to me, and to me it was a step up. The Square was great to me, but not everyone who comes to Main Street necessarily goes to the Square. But the reverse is true.”
The new Innersleeve Records is directly across the street from Crossroads Music and a stone’s throw east of the Stephen Talkhouse. His shop, Mr. Wright said, “makes this the musical trinity.”
When he vacated the Amagansett Square location that is now occupied by Pilgrim Surf + Supply, Mr. Wright moved his shop to Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. Innersleeve will remain in that space, giving its owner two locations, a status he had previously only dreamed of. “I started getting a following there,” he said of the Sag Harbor location. “People were disappointed when I told them I was moving back to Amagansett. The summer was great there — if I can hang on in the wintertime, I think it’s important to represent in both towns.”
The vinyl resurgence, though still modest, is real. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s annual Recording Industry in the Numbers report, sales of vinyl records in 2012 were the highest in 15 years. The format is the only sector of prerecorded music that is increasing, and a devoted, worldwide community of aficionados continues to support it. “When you talk about number of units it’s certainly not on the same scale as downloads,” Mr. Wright said, “but it’s ticking upwards.”
Along with selling, Mr. Wright is also a buyer of vinyl. “I like to help people stay in [vinyl], and I can also help people get out,” he said. “There is a market for them.”
The shop will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though the hours may expand. “Mary’s [Marvelous] has a nice early crowd, and [Indian Wells] Tavern and the Talkhouse a bit later on the weekends. It may end up being 9 to 8.”