For the first time in decades, the needle is about to drop on a new independent record store in the Upper West Side. Owner Hunter Brammer, a former finance professional, is preparing to launch Sweet Peanut Records at 463 Amsterdam Ave in mid-July.
Brammer recently told What Now New York that the neighborhood’s response to the upcoming shop has been immediate and enthusiastic.
“I think there’s such a rich musical history in the neighborhood [the Upper West Side] and a record store hasn’t opened around here in decades,” he said. “A lot of people have sort of stopped me on the street to say how excited they are that something’s opening up.”
While the shop will stock hard-to-find “holy grail” pieces for serious collectors, it will also be an inclusive space for all ages and levels of expertise. Brammer said he wants to bridge the gap between older collectors and those who just want to grab the new Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo album.
Sweet Peanut is designed to be more than just a retail outlet, Brammer noted. He envisions it as a modern social hub where customers can linger on a couch and comfortable chairs. There will also be a makeshift DJ booth for performers to spin vinyl, and possibly record a mix.
Looking ahead, Brammer hopes to turn the shop into a platform for local talent to gain more visibility.
“Eventually it would be nice to have something like a ‘Tiny Desk’ concert series in the shop,” he said, “just to be able to give some local artists a platform outside of their neighborhood or social circles.”
