Discover the Hidden Gem of NYC: A Record Store Where Celebrities and Vinyl Lovers Unite
When Bella Hadid is on the hunt for the latest Broadway soundtrack on vinyl or Bono is searching for a rare original Rolling Stones record, they know exactly where to go: downtown to visit their friend Jamal Alnasr.
Alnasr has become the ultimate vinyl hunter, catering to everyone from Lana Del Rey and Carlos Santana to everyday music enthusiasts and curious tourists at his shop, Village Revival Records, nestled in the vibrant heart of Greenwich Village.
“New York is a melting pot of personalities. You get the party-goers, the superstars, and everything in between,” he shared, reflecting on the eclectic mix of customers that frequent his store.
Alnasr, a Palestinian immigrant, opened his record shop back in 1994 after gaining experience at a family friend’s store just around the corner. Fast forward over 30 years, and he’s still passionately selling records, CDs, cassettes, and DVDs, boasting what many consider to be the city’s most impressive and extensive music collection.
With an estimated 295,000 records stacked throughout his store and a staggering 600,000 in total when including his storage, it’s no wonder that Alnasr has become a go-to for music lovers.
For instance, when Ali Hewson, Bono’s wife, wanted to surprise the U2 frontman with a special gift, she reached out to Alnasr. He managed to find a unique French-made Rolling Stones box set from the ’80s, still sealed, complete with a designer T-shirt—something he believes he was the only one to have in his possession.
He also sourced original first pressings of the Ramones’ first three albums and a few Talking Heads records for Bono, showcasing his knack for finding rare gems.
Whenever Lana Del Rey returns to her old neighborhood, she often stops by for a warm hug and to pick up a Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald record she’s missing from her collection.
“Oh, Lana, I miss that lady. If she’s in town, she definitely comes by, and we’ll smoke cigarettes together,” Alnasr smiles, proudly displaying a record signed by the singer at the checkout counter.
His passion for music has allowed him to forge friendships with everyone from NYU students who pop in after class to start their collections to long-time neighbors strolling by on their way home. However, it’s his genuine love for people—and his infectious laughter—that has helped him amass such an extraordinary collection.
While Alnasr does track down some items and attends frequent sales, the majority of his collection comes from individuals with cherished records who want to ensure their music will be appreciated. “Honestly, I ask people, ‘Why do you sell to me? I know you’ve had 20 people come in to look at this stuff,’ and they say, ‘It’s because other people only want to pick out the best stuff and buy that, but I buy it all,’” Alnasr explained.
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The secret to his success lies in how he treats people—just like he treats records. Everyone deserves respect, whether it’s a copy of the Xanadu soundtrack or a first pressing of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, whether they’re a college student or an A-lister.
“You meet a lot of very interesting people in your life while working at the shop, and it means a lot to me,” Alnasr said, beaming his signature smile.
“I feel like when you give something, when you help someone, when you influence someone, it means more to me than all the money in the universe. A lot of people have a lot of money and they’re miserable,” he added.
“You need money, absolutely, to survive, especially in this city. But does money buy you happiness? Definitely not.”
Alnasr’s sales range from the $50 Lady Gaga “Abracadabra” that’s been flying off the shelves lately to the $8,000 Beatles album he once sold—the most expensive record he’s ever parted with.
As long as he’s making enough to keep his doors open seven days a week—a challenge he’s faced a few times—he’s content. “We live in a really crazy world. People are so miserable,” he noted, attributing some of that to the fact that many seem to lack time for genuine friendships.
But Alnasr is determined to change that. He builds connections through music every day, engaging with customers about everything from new releases to the most obscure vinyl in his collection.
“Music is a beautiful way, the most effective way for anyone to have a conversation. Just wait five minutes, and you can strike up a conversation with anyone through music,” Alnasr said.
Chat with him for more than five minutes, and you might just receive an invitation to Minetta Tavern—where he’s shared meals with the likes of Hadid and Post Malone in recent years—or to the falafel stand where he used to grab bites with Joan Osborne.
However, he’s not one to drop names. On one hand, his discretion is why so many big names keep returning. On the other hand, he genuinely doesn’t seem to care about the fame.
