Rough Trade Opens New Underground Record Shop At 30 Rock

NEW YORK CITY — Rough Trade, an independent record store for all things vinyl music, officially opened a second location at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan this week.

The second location called "Rough Trade Below" will feature Rough Trade’s expert curation of new vinyl releases, and its all-ages, affordable intimate live performance events and signings, according to officials.

The new 4,000 square-foot space, on Rockefeller Center’s Rink Level, will be part of the Center's Under 30 Rock collection of retailers.

The existing flagship store that opened in 2021 will become known as Rough Trade Above.

Rough Trade Below will increase the capacity for all ages in-store events to a few hundred and expand its calendar to reach even larger audiences, officials told Patch.

The new store will also greatly expand the selection of artist and band merchandise, as well as used vinyl.

In addition, Rough Trade Below will feature a large selection of artist/band merch, audio hardware (Bluetooth speakers, turntables, hi-fi separates, etc.) a large used records section, a large CD section (new and used), BluRay movies, collectables, and more.

It will also feature one of Rough Trade’s popular PhotoBooths, with a special new twist.

“We’re extremely excited to be opening Rough Trade Below, helping us further cater to the tremendous demand from music lovers across the five boroughs and beyond. It’s clear that the ethos of Rough Trade—to narrow the gap between artist and audience—has struck a tremendous chord, here in New York," Stephen Godfroy, co-owner of Rough Trade told Patch back in January.

The store opening will be followed by Rough Trade’s independent music festival iNDIEPLAZA on April 12 coinciding with Record Store Day. Rough Trade Below will host its first in-store event on April 18.

Rough Trade Below is now open Monday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information on store events, customers can visit Rough Trade's website.