132 MAIN STREET

HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY

The Relic Record Shoppe opened it's doors for business in 1961 at 116 Main Street Hackensack, New Jersey.   The original store was called the Relic Rack and was owned by Eddie Gries and Joe Martin.  Several months later, they moved the store down the street to 136 Main Street where it has remained in continuous operation to this day.  The store specialized in Rhythm and Blues / Rock n Roll material ,otherwise known to the general public as "DooWop" or "Oldies" music.

In 1964, Donn Fileti replaced Joe Martin as Eddie's partner in the enterprise. The following year, Donn and Eddie bought the "Times Square Records" master catalog from Slim Rose and began issuing 45RPM records and LPs on their newly formed Relic Label.  They also began their "concept" packages in 1965 with the release of  the "Relic Acapella" album which sold very well and helped promote and revitalize interest in acapella vocal group harmony.

Donn and Eddie sold the store to George Lavatelli in 1978 at which time it was renamed the Relic Record Shoppe.  Don and Eddie retained the name Relic Records and have continued to release LPs and Cds to the present time. 

George Lavatelli continues to specialize in both classic and contemporary Rhythm and Blues material today, through direct sales at the store and mail order.  George also has a long and respected connection to the music industry as a performer.  He sang on the street corners of Englewood, NJ as a member of his group, "The Shades" and later joined the Bon-Aires who landed a recording contract on Rust Records in the early 1960's.   After the original contingent of Bon-Aires disbanded, George reformed a second Bon-Aires group that became one of the most respected and beloved acapella groups to perform at United in Group Harmony Association (UGHA) concerts.

Call George at RELIC RECORD SHOPPE on (201)-342-4848 for your musical needs.