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Val's halla Bio
Val's halla was born July 26, 1972 following the demise of a small record chain I had managed from the same location since 1968.
One week after the fall of the chain, I was able to lease the empty location that had been my home for almost five years and -- with the all-volunteer efforts of former employees -- literally brought a myth to life.
After almost four decades in our original home on South blvd, the spectre of re-development reared its head. The result was a re-location to the Arts District of Oak Park to 239 Harrison Street.
Every musical genre is represented in every format. A smattering of New vinyl (not a lot, most vinyl is Used), an extensive selection of CD & Cassette from complete operas to rap and from world music to local Chicago artists. If we don't have it in stock, we can usually have it in 24 to 48 hours.
Our specialty is our experience. In April 2003, it was 41 years since I began my first record biz job at Capitol Records in 1962, and 50 years or so since I began my love affair with recorded music. Long after customers have lost interest in the search for that special song, we're still plowing thru our resources.
When you've tired of shopping for music in refrigerator stores , come pay us a visit in person (at 239 W. Harrison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60304), call (708/524-1004), or email. We'll try to help.
Used Product
Ah yes, herein lie the treasures. I began selling used LPs in 1973 when a former employee, who had run a used record store during his college years, suggested it as an adjunct to the sale of new product. Little did we know then what changes were to occur to our beloved vinyl.
We began with a couple of hundred albums we bought from a long time customer who was moving to another state. Because of a limited amount of space, we made it a policy to buy only excellent condition vinyl. That policy had served us well thru the years and is one of the key differences in the quality of our used stock.
Thousands and thousands of purchases later, the store brims over with 45s, LPs, cassettes and CDs in every conceivable musical category, from big bands to bauhaus, from rockabilly to rap.
From near and far visitors come to search our bins for that rare childhood musical memento or to explore a new musical landscape.
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Animal Friends:
There have always been animals in and out of the store.
First it was Calico , the guinea pig. He lived in an aquarium for which one of my employees designed a brick wall with a mailbox, so that young customers could leave him notes.
Then came Halla , the white german shepherd. She was born in 1976 and greeted customers every day of her life for almost 16 years. Halla was a true ambassador and a lover of music in all its forms. When she died, acknowledgements came from throughout the community -- I still have them and customers still talk about her.
During her last six years, Halla shared her responsibilities with Woden (nordic god, doncha know), a fearless feline tabby tomcat who slept unperturbed on razor sharp LP divider cards as though they were down pillows. Woden died in August 2000, after ruling his domain unchallenged for almost 16 years.
The most recent member of the brigade is Loki (the god of mischief), who came to us in 1994 as a six month old yellow lab/something or other and who continues to live up to his mythological description, expecting his daily treat delivery from the postal service and conniving his way into the hearts of staff and customers - minus small children, who are an especially frightening aspect of the musical world.
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