Quietly nestled amongst various chain retailers in the Hampshire Mall, one of western Massachusetts' longest-standing record stores sits as a testament to perseverance. Platterpus Records opened in Westfield in 1978, but after 20 years there, owner Dave Witthaus decided it was time to take advantage of the youth culture epicenter that, because of malls and surrounding colleges, lies by default in Hadley.
The store fills the niche neglected by the hulking corporate retailers it shares the mall with, focusing primarily on used CDs, LPs and releases by local bands and artists. Platterpus is also packed with paraphernalia like posters, patches, pins, T-shirts and stickers, which yield most of the store's profit. However, Witthaus says that in terms of dollars, the store makes more from selling vinyl than from CDs, a trend he would have found hard to believe years ago.
In a time when the music retail market is fading, Platterpus feels a sense of camaraderie with local stalwarts like Mystery Train, Dynamite and Turn It Up. Witthaus is confident that each of the local stores has its own unique identity and has something that the other stores don't offer, so everyone benefits.
"In a world of corporate pollution, we try to be a little breath of fresh air" is the store's credo; if you're tired of the fluorescent glare and hubbub of music retail giants, try taking a dive with Platterpus. The store's hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Platterpus is located in the Hampshire Mall on Russell Street (Route 9), in Hadley. Call (413) 586-2770 or visit www.myspace.com/platterpus_records.
