Bleecker Bob's Records — Greenwich Village, NYC

Bleecker Bob's Golden Oldies was one of the most legendary record stores in New York City, operating in Greenwich Village from 1967 until its closure in 2013. Originally located on Bleecker Street before moving to West 3rd Street, the store was a hub for the downtown punk, new wave, and underground scenes. Bob Plotnik, the cantankerous owner, was famous for his confrontational personality — and for having the best selection of rare vinyl in Manhattan.

The store was a gathering place for musicians and scenesters from the CBGBs era through to the 2000s. Joey Ramone was a regular, as were members of the New York Dolls, Television, and Blondie. The store was referenced in songs and films, and its closing marked the end of an era for Greenwich Village's music retail culture. Bob himself became a Village character, as much a part of the neighbourhood's identity as the music he sold.

Bleecker Bob's closed in 2013 after rising rents made the location unsustainable. The storefront at 118 West 3rd Street has since been occupied by other businesses. The loss was mourned widely in the music press as emblematic of New York's vanishing independent culture. The Village still has record shops, but Bleecker Bob's irreverent, opinionated spirit has not been replaced.