Crow's Nest Music

Contributor

Citysearch

Ambitious local music chain entices with retail amenities.

The Scene
The newest Crow's Nest is a local chain alternative to encroaching deep-pocketed chains like Tower and Virgin, a bold retail venture designed to attract a steady stream of nearby DePaul University students and music fanatics. Decked out in modern bright purples and greens, the big space has a coffee bar (the Lyric Lounge) and listening stations to keep shoppers lingering longer than usual. Audition new releases on a purple chaise, where an overhanging sound pod focuses the music on your ears only. Signed guitars and promo posters fill in the negative space.

The Stock
Tons of CDs, organized in clearly marked categories including rock/pop, jazz, imports, rap/hip-hop, R&B, soundtracks, dance/electronic. If you can't find something, a clerk can look it up on a nearby computer and special-order it. Box sets punctuate every row of discs. Visual types browse the DVD/VHS areas, which consist mainly of new releases and music-related films.