Those in search of vintage deals declare Moon Zoom in San Jose a hit for local bargain-finders. Weighing musical options has never been easier since the controversial birth of Napster. But with the threat of legal trouble, perhaps it's wise to also have a backup plan in mind. That's where Hear Music comes in. Sure, all the usual pop suspects are here, but what sets Hear Music apart is its ability to offer access to uncharted musical territory, which includes Bay Area artists and the latest in Indian and Celtic music.
Employees are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about all kinds of music.
And once they get a hint of a customer's tastes, they tend to offer up a dozen albums that might also catch the ear. A row of headphones at the front counter is open for people to sample any album in their collection. It's good to know that in this era of standardization, where one mall looks drearily like the other and retail stores differ only in the names pasted above the doors, there is still room for quirkiness and choice in the shopping world. That's the beauty of the De Anza College Flea Market. Hey, the food booths by themselves are worth the trip.