This Brooklyn record store is about more than music
It’s equal parts community hub and playground for self-discovery.
At the intersection of Madison Street and Madison Garvey Boulevard, Black Star Vinyl sells candles, crystals, plants and a ton of vintage records. It’s a second act for co-owner Martin Brewer, forced to vacate his original storefront—Bed-Stuy’s beloved Halsey & Lewis—with a week’s notice last year.
Martin invited us into his new digs—part concept store, coffee house and local hangout—to see how music is more than just sounds. It teaches us about ourselves and the world around us.
How it started
Black Star Vinyl is like a living scrapbook of owner Martin Brewer’s time in NYC. “I used to go to places in Queens or the Bronx, where people would carry records, art and objects that resonated with me,” he says. Martin spent years flicking through the city’s sidewalk record racks and scouring stoop sales, slowly curating his collection.
“I’m not a music aficionado, I’m just a guy who likes records,” says Martin. “I may not have the vast knowledge some people do, but I have what [I like] and I try to pass that on.”
“The store is an organic tapestry of what everybody does. They wake up and say: How do I feel today? Which way do I wanna go?”
—Martin Brewer, Black Star Vinyl co-owner
Music as a change agent
Martin’s new home for Halsey & Lewis reinforces what the store is all about: personal discovery and community connection. Its new Marcus Garvey address called for the name change, inspired by the eponymous civil rights activist’s Black Star Line.
“I grew up on WDAS Philadelphia in the ’70s and ’80s,” says Martin. “At the time, it was the Black radio station. They promoted community and activism, and what they did then is what I want to do now.”
For Martin, it’s about being in sync with the beat of the neighborhood, the pulse of his Brooklyn community: “This is our rhythm.”
“I’m a curator of odd objects, books and records,” says Martin of the eclectic mix that’s become quintessential to his brand. “I try to remain curious and experimental.”
“People can do their own exploring and they might go deeper than me,” says Martin. “I applaud that.” And on that note, his journey building Black Star is much like that of building a home: it’s about surrounding yourself with what you love.