Best of the Best: Dusty Groove America

Dusty Groove America
Though the Dusty Groove’s retail outlet looks like an unassuming, modest-sized storefront on Ashland, this record store is a two-headed monster. On one hand is the retail side, where extra-helpful clerks can direct you through their piles of hard-to-find soul, jazz, blues, reggae and rock. On the other hand is DG’s online mail-order network (dustygroove.com), which allows hardcore record collectors to get their hands on those hard-to-find records. Though Dusty Groove’s music might at times seem distant and esoteric, the store boasts an audience starved for what they serve, and its name keeps traveling farther and farther away.

1120 North Ashland (773)342-5800

Best of Chicago 2002