Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I have so many memories of all these stores and restaurants that for whatever reason, aren't around anymore.

Back before downloading and streaming were huge, people bought physical CDs...I know, crazy right? There was one store that really did great for new and used albums, along with other media and even books: Media Play.

Media Play started in the early 90s and grew to many stores over 19 states in the U.S. There were locations in Western New York, including one off of Niagara Falls Blvd. near Sheridan (across from the old Toys 'R Us).

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Media Play struggled to make a profit, however, and changed ownership a couple of times before the chain of stores finally closed for good in January of 2006. Media Play was much like FYE, which sells roughly the same products, albeit on a smaller scale; though the old FYE stores had the same space and layout as Media Play.

Man, I remember buying so many new and used CDs at Media Play and it's where I bought my first music as a kid. I was so bummed when they closed in 2006. I love downloading and streaming music as much as the next person, but there was something special about going to Media Play and buying an album. You would cherish listening to that record for the very first time and reading the booklet.

Those were the days!

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