Vinyl record enthusiasts line up around the corner of Admiral Analog's Audio Assortment on Saturday morning. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A long line of vinyl record enthusiasts wrapped around the corner of Admiral Analog’s Audio Assortment on Saturday morning, in anticipation of finding some of the 400 special releases made in honor of National Record Store Day.

According to Admiral Analog’s Audio Assortment owner Andrew Barton, his store has been participating in the event for about a decade. His store started off by celebrating the event’s holiday season counterpart, the Black Friday Record Store Day, in 2014. That celebration proved to be so popular, that he decided to begin commemorating National Record Store Day every April.

“This is a special celebration, designed for people in the record business. The attention it brings to the store is great,” Barton said. “I had my biggest line ever, this year.”

He attributed that growth in customers to the special release of records from Taylor Swift, Charli XCX and the “Wicked” movie. With the size limitations of his store, he knew that he could not order multiple copies of all 400 special releases, so he listened to customer requests to determine which special releases to prioritize ordering. Unfortunately, some of the special releases, like the “Wicked” soundtrack, were limited edition, which meant that he was only able to get two copies of the record for his customers. Even though only two of his customers –those at the front of the line — got to take home that album, he said he endeavored to make sure those who were unable to get a copy still had a good experience in his store.

“Most people seemed to leave happy — that’s my goal,” Barton said, mentioning he ordered at least 300 records for National Record Store Day this year. “I do my best to treat my customers right. Hopefully, they remember that and share that experience with their friends.”

He noted that new and out-of-state customers are the ones who he most often sees on National Record Store Day. One such customer was Gene Wood, of Maryland, who made a stop at a record store in Hagerstown before coming to Admiral Analog’s.

“This is the second store we have visited today. He wasn’t able to find any of the albums he was looking for there,” said his wife, Becky Wood. “Hopefully he will have some luck here today.”

Edward Banchs and Stacey Welch, of Pittsburgh, Pa., left the store with four albums in hand — two of which were special releases.

“Record Store Day is definitely cool. There’s a lot of new, interesting designs on the albums and interesting reissues,” Welch said. “They put out a list of the albums online, but it’s more interesting to peruse them in person.”

The pair noted that the growth in attention National Record Store Day received this year was likely due to the fact that vinyl record appreciation has grown incredibly popular among members of Generation Z. Banchs has experienced this personally with his teenage niece — now, whenever he needs to purchase a gift for her, he knows to look no further than his nearest record store.

“Vinyl is back. It is tangible, in a way that so much music today is not,” Banchs said.