Jitterbug Sights & Sounds

Jitterbug Sights & Sounds brings records into a broader Livingston Manor shop built around toys, games, art supplies, and community life. Brad handles the music side, where clean, thoughtful bins give visitors another reason to linger in a small Catskills town.

Interview with Jitterbug Sights & Sounds

Jitterbug covers a lot of ground in Livingston Manor — toys, games, art supplies and a music side. How did the shop come together, and where does music sit in it?

I always wanted to combine a record store with my partner Miriam selling art supplies but we knew that wasn't enough around here. While conceptualizing, we added the board game element to round it out but it still felt like not enough. We kept hearing from folks that there wasn't enough for kids around here so it was at that point we added the toy/kid element and that became the driving force of the store.

Brad handles the music side specifically — how would he describe what Jitterbug's music corner is about?

I had a weekly radio show for a number of years on our local station called Neonatal Pulse where I would only play music released that week. Bluegrass, indie rock, Kpop, grindcore, genre didn't matter just so long as it came out that week. Thus I wanted to infuse that spirit of championing new music onto our shelves. I think I initially overestimated the public's interest in that department (people are not very courageous when it comes to exposing themselves to new things) but continue to bring in new releases and enjoy being the provider of that for people. We have a multi-genre selection of used releases compiled from walk-ins, dusty barn and basement digs and hard-fought estate sale negotiations. But we also give the people what they want and stock new reissues of 90s/00s staples on the regular. My goal is for everyone to find something they like in there, not just impose my personal taste on the shelves. If I did it, it would just be a room full of hardcore records and ambient CDs.

Livingston Manor's a small Catskills town that's drawn a lot of new energy lately — who comes through, and how's the local scene?

Our clientele is split pretty evenly between local folks, 2nd homeowners and tourists. Considering our proximity to NYC, NJ, and Long Island, we definitely get a lot of visitors from those places but occasionally international folks as well. We are the birthplace of American fly fishing so that crowd is definitely always around (along with deer and turkey hunters in the fall and the usual campers and hikers) but also people interested in art as Catskill Art Space is home to a James Turrell installation on indefinite loan and always has interesting contemporary pieces on display.

What's the most surprising record or find that's come through the shop?

Did a house call for a widow whose husband was a record exec in the 90s. She only told me there were lots of CDs but ended up finding an OG Third World Shaggs "Philosophy of the World" in the garage. Nutty.

In a shop with this much variety, what draws someone toward the records specifically?

Again, I'm pretty proud of our new selection. Whether it's something for the pop girlies, jazz dads, or the hardcore kids, I always like surprising people with something fresh or having a hearty bit of stock to suggest from. We also try and keep a number of kids records around (e.g. Bluey, Kpop Demon Hunters) to keep the not-usual record buyer happy.

For a first-time visitor, what's the one thing you'd point them toward?

Our gallery, The Cocoon! It's in a former phone booth and we claim it is the smallest gallery in NY State.

What do people most often misjudge about what their old records are worth?

That their copy of the White Album is worth hundreds of dollars. Sorry man, they literally made millions of those, it's not rare.

What keeps a small, everything-under-one-roof shop like Jitterbug thriving in a town this size?

Being open every day. Far too many businesses in town are only open weekends and short hours at that. We always hear from people how happy they are that we're open during the week. And really it's not that hard. I work 3 days, Miriam works 3 days and then we split Saturdays. So we both always have 3 day weekends. Pretty cush. My motto is that you've gotta keep the line in the water if you wanna catch the fishies.

FAQ

What does Jitterbug Sights & Sounds sell besides records?

Jitterbug also carries toys, games, art supplies, and other shop goods for the Livingston Manor community.

What record value misconception comes up at Jitterbug?

People often overestimate common Beatles records, such as ordinary copies of the White Album, because millions were made.

Last updated: 2026-08-17

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