The Archive

The Archive is a physical media retail store that opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut in June 2017. It was founded by friends and business partners Brandon Upson, James Neurath, Ryan Emerson and Ralph Stevens. The shop is the brick & mortar division of Vinegar Syndrome: a film restoration and distribution company that specializes in protecting and preserving genre films (mainly produced between the 1960s and 1980s). The company was founded in 2012 by Emerson and business partner Joe Rubin and named for the acidic smell of deteriorating film. It is considered a boutique Blu-ray label and to date has released well over 800 titles on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. The Archive is dedicated to selling movies and music in a wide variety of physical media formats. Consumers will find all sorts of new and used titles available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Betamax, Laserdisc, Vinyl, CD, and Cassette tape. A second location opened in Aurora (CO) in October 2022 and a third (named 'Vinegar Syndrome') opened in Toronto (ON) in October 2023.

I've been doing business with the Archive for a number of years now. I'm a huge fan of collecting physical media. Although streaming media seems to be the way to go now, streaming services are only as good as your internet connection, the quality is too compressed and titles are disappearing all the time. I like having an actual vinyl record or 4K disc in my hands. Physical formats are also usually loaded with all sorts of liner notes, posters and bonus features that you won't get with streaming services. I try to stop at the shop every few months or so. While I sometimes leave empty handed, other times I leave with some great finds. They often carry great film releases from labels like Arrow Video, Blue Underground, The Criterion Collection, Severin Films, Shout! Factory, and of course Vinegar Syndrome. At times, the shop will even get a limited amount of new releases weeks before they are available on Amazon. If you're a fan of physical media then you need to get to the Archive right away!

I loved this place even before I set foot in it, which is definitely a first, I feel. I follow their Instagram account @thearchivect where they post news about arrivals, pre-orders, available goodness, and events. As a child of the 80s and 90s, their content is super nostalgia-inducing. It is one of their posts that also led me to the punk rock flea market in New Haven this spring. I thank them greatly for that!

On to the details! So they sell new and used movies, music, books, and memorabilia in a wide variety of formats to consume. The shop is neatly packed full of VHS tapes, BluRays, DVDs, cassettes, CDs, and a bountiful collection of vinyls downstairs. I have been to a few other "used" media places, but none were as organized and neat as this place. True collectors collecting and cataloguing for the benefit of other collectors. Love it! Atop the shelves and on the walls are figures, toys, posters, and props from movies, tv shows, and pop culture past to marvel at. Like walking through the coolest, creepy museum. I say creepy in a good way because they tend to be heavy on the horror, thriller, and sci-fi, my favorite genres. Many of the special editions and limited release goodies they get a hold of are also in this vein.

In the back room they have vintage, full sized movie posters, the kind you would see hung up at movie theaters or your local video rental stores. They also have books and t-shirts. I think the only thing they are missing is a black cat familiar. Maybe he was on break when I was there. This place is a media haven and worthy of a stop or two!

First time in the store, and no greeting or acknowledgment from the three employees behind counter. It was a little off putting because I wasn't familiar with the layout of the store and was not sure exactly what was where and felt awkward.
I floundered around, ended up spending a couple of hundred bucks against my better judgement.
I did not get a good overall vibe from the place. Felt like a club type atmosphere for locals and familiar faces and was never even asked if I needed help for the 45 minutes I was there. Unique store with a lot to purchase, with discounts if you know your price points, certainly nice to see physical media on the shelf which I appreciate and support.
However...NOT my cup of tea, will stick with online purchases.

The Archive is a national treasure. I've brought so many friends and family there and (unsurprisingly) they're always blown away by the great movies, music and ambiance. The staff is cool as shxt and incredibly helpful (if you need it). Can't wait to go back again (and again and again and again).

This is a true paradise for those love to dig
CT BEST KEPT SECRET

Covering all genre & vibe.

Great store with amazing physical media including horror & music , awesome selection for physical media and music lovers, the people who work there are nice

My son is very into music right now and found this place online. Three floors of records, CDs and videos. What a cool place! It's downtown, but parking on the street was easy. Music lovers could spend hours in there.

I recently started collecting vinyl (mostly punk - specifically 90's skate punk) and even though I've practically driven past it weekly for 5 years, I've never been in.

I came in on a Saturday afternoon and had to wait outside a couple of minutes due to COVID capacity rules. Came in and the first floor was all DVDs other than a few small crates of records. I walked to the back of the store and saw the stairs to the basement and walked down. I dug through the vintage used vinyl's for a bit looking for something, but didn't see anything that was interesting whatsoever and was bummed. I walked back upstairs and as I was puttering towards the front door I saw someone walk up a side staircase, so figured I'd take a few minutes to see what was up there.

HOLY CRAP! As soon as I got to the upper landing I saw a huge new punk section. On my first trip I only got two records that I'd been hunting for, but easily could have bought dozens of them. Pricing is VERY reasonable and more or less comparable to online.

A few days later I stopped back in to pick up something for a friend that I'd seen and figured I'd poke around upstairs again. They seem to have a decent hip-hop, metal, and hardcore vinyl sections (though I don't know those genres to say for sure), but they didn't have much in the way of pop or modern rock. Glad I took some time to dig through since I found a punk record on my list mixed into the hardcore section.

Can't wait to stop by more in the future.

Great store especially for horror fans. The people who worked there were nice and their selection of movies were awesome aswell. Go here ASAP.

Wow, what an awesome spot. Huge selection of vinyl. rare movies and a beautiful space. Will be back!