52.5 Records the place for music, books, beer

In the age of iTunes and instant gratification, are old-fashioned record stores doomed to obscurity?

Not if Clay Scales has anything to do with it. In hopes of attracting a wider — and thirstier — clientele, the owner of 52.5 Records has expanded the offerings at his Upper King Street shop.

He's now touting high-end craft beers alongside more traditional merchandise like vinyl albums, compact discs and books.

"People seem surprised. They're stopping in to ask, 'What's with the beer?' " he said.

Yet in the face of a changing industry, Scales believes that a dash of the unexpected may be just the ticket to success.

"Record stores need to offer something extra to draw customers into the store. Plus, you can't download a beer," he quipped.

Shoppers will find imported ales from the Belgian-based Chimay Brewery, along with craft beers from breweries like the Portland, Maine-based Allagash Brewing Co. The beers are only available for retail and cannot be consumed on the premises.

This month's featured libation is Brother Thelonious, a Belgain-style abbey ale from the Fort Bragg, Calif.-based North Coast Brewing Co. The name is a playful nod to jazz musician Thelonious Monk.

A pairing of music and beer? Undoubtedly, Scales will drink to that.

Retail radar

I Scream, You Scream: Cozy Elliotborough eatery D'Allesandro's Pizza has added homemade ice cream to its usual menu of pizzas and beer. Stop into the restaurant, at 229 St. Philip St., to sample hand-churned flavors like coffee, Oreo and vanilla.

To Market, To Market: The King Street Marketing Group has expanded its online presence. The group, credited with christening the Upper King Street Design District and hosting the semi-annual King Street Design Walks, has launched a Web site to promote local businesses in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough Neighborhood, such as Suite Sole and Fuel Restaurant.

This is the company's fourth merchant-funded site. Find it at cannonelliot.com.

Reach Bridget Herman at 937-5582 or bherman@postandcourier.com.