The record store used to be the spot where young music lovers worked as curators in modern music museums.

The local music store was once the hottest place to be, then came big box record chains like Tower Records and Media Play cutting in on the market, then large retailers like Wal-Mart got in on the action but none of those could do the damage that digital music has done.

iTunes, Napster and other not so legal programs swept through indie record stores like a hurricane from hell. The casual listener went from browsing shelves on weekends to sitting on in front of computers and skimming through online music stores.Tucked behind a Starbucks and Elizabeth’s Pizza, just a stones throw from Guilford College, BB’s Compact Discs is one of the last independent music stores left in the Triad and the only one participating in Record Store Day.

Record Store Day is a collaborative effort by record stores internationally to drum up interest in their stores with some shops going all out with live performances.

Owner Duncan Dunn was excited to hear about the day and quickly made sure his business was a part of it. “I think it’s great,” said Dunn. “With internet downloading and mega chain stores trying to put out local record stores.”

Shoppers of all ages, literally babies to graying hippies, browsed the store looking for rare finds or music they’ve yet to hear. Guys with hipster glasses, fatigue shorts and flops and one in a overcoat more suited for an adult video store than a record store

Dunn discussed his business and the ever fading presence of record stores today.

“It (business) has been better but you get what you give,” said Dunn. “CDs are one of those, I wouldn’t say frivolous purchases, but one might pass up for essentials like food or gas.”BB’s has a selection of CDs that is a eclectic listeners dream or freaky 90’s nightmare.

From the seriously whack, like Jermaine Jackson’s 1991 album “You Said” jokingly on display in the used album section for $2.99. Ron Artest’s solo flop “My World” (which was still $16 for some reason) to the serious steals like J Dilla’s “Ruff Draft” and MF Doom’s “MM..Food” stashed between artists that buzzed a little but never blew up.

They also have new releases but the biggest draw to the store is their used CDs.

“People bring in boxes of old CDs for cash or store credit,” said Seth, a UNCG graduate that’s been working at BB’s for over two years. He also says weird musical requests are pretty much an everyday thing.

Whether its people who only know a couple lines of a song or those who know exactly what they want and don’t know where to find it, BB’s will find any album still in circulation.Adam Thorn, 28, is a fan of BB’s used CD selection and usually buys 60’s garage rock and British invasion music, but today it’s comedy.

“It’s sad to see record stores disappear,” said Thorn. “The history of music is to get it smaller and smaller, now it’s just a digital blip and people sitting in front of screens.”Although the record store business might have it’s best days behind them, Dunn still enjoys what he does. “It’s still fun for me to discover new music,” said Dunn. “Since middle school I’ve always enjoyed turning others on to music.”

Gate City Noise and Record Exchange are record store casualties locally leaving a huge void for vinyl, which BB’s doesn’t have on sale.

Dunn says the difference between his store and a mega chain store is that his employees “really care about music.””If I break my arm I’m not going to a dentist, why would I go to an appliance store to buy music,” said Dunn.

One thing Dunn can’t deny is the convenience of the internet and digital music and has even slipped into the dark side when he has not other choice for “iTunes exclusives” and bands he “really adores.”

“I appreciate the convenience but I like to say if my computer crashes I still have the CD, the nostalgia,” said Dunn. “I like to know that I physically own something…I’m a firm believer that people like me will always want something they can hold in their hands.”

Dunn, who wouldn’t call himself an audiophile, said “I like to hear what’s actually been recorded.”

“Things you hear on the CD you don’t hear on the downloaded version.” The iTunes music store usually encodes its music at a low bitrate, stripping songs of their studio quality.

BB’s also works to continue the tradition of local record stores championing the cause of independent artist but putting local artists music on consignment in their store for free.

The future of the record store business may not get any better but at least in Greensboro, it’s not going down without a fight.

• Mike McCray