I was thinking the other day about all the audio stores that were around when I was a kid

Jafant, 

I don't know the exact number but I would say quite a few. I know one of the dealers carries very esoteric gear that you would think the manufactures would not allow to be sold out of a house. One guy I know in the San Diego that carries very good equipment has been trying to get the ARC line for the last few years. ARC will only sell to people that have a storefront. Other manufactures don't care.

Jafant,

There is a line of very popular speakers in the States. The only businesses that carry the line here all work out of their house. I know in other parts of the country the speakers are sold through B&M locations.

"HiFi Buys had Lansing, E Lansing and other ones too...gone a long time...Karl was the owner I believe.."

Correct! He was Czech. He had a guy named Bill who ran service for the whole chain--I would triage equipment in the AA store and if I could fix it, cool. If not, got shipped to Bill in Lansing every day who had a very high end tech shop set up behind the Lansing store.

Lot of firsts that year:

1. First time hearing Tympanis (at Karl's house during the annual Christmas party for his employees).
2. First time drinking aquavit (also at Karl's).
3. First time I got lucky with a natural red head (she worked next door the shop in a deli....:) 

 I grew up on the west side of Detroit and as a teenager started migrating to the Royal Oak Music Theatre for concerts and because the local area was funky, artsy, and good cheap fun, and had about seven record stores, all within walking distance of the theatre.  I had, my mid to late 20's decided it would be a great place to live and also discovered some of the audio shops you speak of taters. The folks at the Absolute Sound took me in and gave me shelter from those cold, harsh days around 1982 when CD players showed up and I responded by buying a Sondek Lp12 TT with Ittok LVII tonearm and an Asak MC cart to boot. It was a happy time for audio (and me). 

The Royal Oak/Ferndale area is still a very vital area to this day, a few good record stores, the Royal Oaks Music Theatre seldomly shows concerts, the Magic Bag rarely has much notable to see either, and the audio shops are down to just, well, Harry's place. Oh, the times they are a chang'in. 

Nice to know you were once a local guy and still have found memories of this fine neighborhood. 

Keep the stories coming.