2nd Hand Tunes to be reincarnated

2nd Hand Tunes will reopen as Hyde Park Records this Friday, following its closing in October. Three of its former employees decided to open the new used music store, according to Boomer Lowe. “We used to work here—this place used to kick ass,” he said. “We said, ‘there can’t not be a store here.’ “

Besides Lowe, Hyde Park Records (at 1377 East 53rd Street) will be run by Derek Erdman and John Brearley.

Lowe said the store has been remodeled, and is “several times better” than the former store.

“2nd Hand Tunes was dirty,” he said. “Now, it doesn’t feel like you’re in a penitentiary.”

He said the quality of music would be improved, and said the new owners had each spent 20 years picking up music.

Lowe said he did not know that the Checkerboard Lounge would be open nearby. When told that the blues lounge is expected to open in Harper Court in the springtime, Lowe said it would be “fantastic.”

“It can’t hurt,” he said. “The more music fans in the neighborhood—and there’s tons of them—the better.” The store’s website, www.hydeparkrecords.net, said the grand opening will be Friday night from 7-11 p.m. and will include the spinning of DJ Meaty Ogre. Food will be served.