After a long day of shopping, whether in Harvard Square or up and down the illustrious Newbury Street, sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air. In my case, that involves a trip to Newbury Comics.

Ahhh … the smell of vinyl, fishnet stockings and pleased customers. If traditional is what you are looking for, then there’s a Borders down the street. If a little out of the ordinary sounds like your cup-of-tea, then Newbury Comics is for you.

Don’t let the name deceive you. Newbury Comics is not your average place to buy classic Marvel comic books. In fact, aside from its early beginnings as a comic book haven, Newbury Comics has morphed into an establishment that draws hordes of customers within its walls.

Newbury Comics is now one of the hottest and most popular places to buy everything from used CDs and DVDs, to underground and independent music, and even major label artists. The selection is unmatched, housing new artists along with those that grace MTV weekly.

Where else can you find a small, garage band demo next to a Britney Spears CD. Even better is the feeling when you walk into a Newbury Comics. Not only housing aisles and aisles of music and old records, but decked out wall to wall with trinkets, trendy fashions, posters, etc., Newbury Comics is definitely eye-candy to the consumer. How many other record stores can you go to that have their own unique personality?

Need a pink feather cowboy hat? How about the latest from the group you heard at the Middle East last week? Want a hula-dancing Homer Simpson doll? Then Newbury Comics is the place to go.

— Kaitlin Thaney