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Infinity Records, Massapequa Park
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After 31 years in the business, Infinity Records owner Joe Ostermeier said his biggest challenge is finding and retaining knowledgeable employees with expertise in various genres. “When customers come in a lot of them have questions. You can learn what their taste is, turn them onto music that fits their picture.”
He believes his current staffers in his Massapequa Park shop are up to the task. The mid-size store has a more expansive classical record stock than the other shops on this list. Luckily, for classical music expertise, as well as knowledge of jazz and psychedelia, he can introduce customers to Corey, one of the shops managers of more than 10 years.
The shop’s metal and punk wall boasts some interesting finds for collectors, including Ramones and Skid Row firsts prints, as well as a 12″ version of Iron Maiden’s “Women in Uniform” non-album single.
Infinity Records celebrates Record Store Day a little differently than the other shops on this list. Instead of offering sales or hosting live shows, Ostermeier said the store donates 10% of its proceeds from each RSD Saturday and the following Sunday to local no kill shelters.
“We do due diligence, so we actually check them out and make sure they’re legitimate,” he said of the shelters he chooses. “It’s something I do in memory of my parents. My parents were big animal advocates. So I just try to give back.”
This year, Infinity Records is donating to Last Hope, Inc. Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation in Wantagh and All About Cats Rescue in Freeport.
Ostermeier said the shop also gives away posters, buttons, t-shirts, CDs and DVDs throughout the weekend.
