Princeton Record Exchange
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music retail |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Barry Weisfeld |
| Headquarters | Princeton , United States |
Area served | East Coast, United States |
Key people | Barry Weisfeld (founder) |
| Products | Records, music retail |
| Owner | Barry Weisfeld |
| Website | princetonrecordexchange |
Princeton Record Exchange, situated at 20 South Tulane Street in Princeton, New Jersey, operates as an independent record store. Established in 1980 by Barry Weisfeld, PREX originated after Weisfeld spent five years vending used records from his van at various flea markets and university campuses. The decision to base the store in Princeton was influenced by its prime location along the East Coast. Initially opening at 20 Nassau Street, the business relocated to a more spacious venue in 1985.
History
Barry Weisfeld, originally a record enthusiast from Long Island, began his post-college career in 1975 by selling records directly from his van. His early sales venues included flea markets and a circuit of 27 college campuses stretching from Dartmouth College to American University. As his collection expanded, Weisfeld considered launching a retail outlet. Although Hicksville, New York was an option, he ultimately chose Princeton due to its advantageous position between New York City and Philadelphia, the presence of a university student base at Princeton University, and the town’s walkable layout during the 1979 oil crisis. Weisfeld’s prior promotional work with the Princeton University Store also contributed to his familiarity with the area.
The first Princeton Record Exchange location opened in 1980 within a modest storefront at 20 Nassau Street, featuring an inventory of approximately 15,000 records, primarily new releases alongside rare and discontinued titles. The store’s success was bolstered by customers trading records for cash or store credit, helping to establish its reputation within the music retail sector.
External links
- Princeton Record Exchange Official Website
- Facebook page
- [1] Instagram