Music Country is the oldest record store in the New York tri-state area, and we believe, the oldest in the U.S. Located in its original location of Cliffside Park, NJ, it has been owned by the same family for over 80 years.

The original name of the store was Taliaferro Radio & Electric (shown in the picture above) and was established in 1934 by Anthony Taliaferro and his wife Elsie. Anthony sold radios, record players and records.

The photo above shows Anthony and Elsie in front of Frank’s Barber shop adjacent to the store. The store front was changed from brick to porcelain at this point.

The store was passed down to Anthony’s daughter, Joan Demarest (shown in the photo above). Joan started working in the store around the age of 10.

The store was re-named Music Country in the 1980’s. Joan and her husband Bill Demarest currently own and operate one of the few vinyl record stores left in New Jersey.