So you’re a freshman. You’re likely new, either to Milwaukee itself or to the charming East Side, which our overcrowded campus calls home.

“Advisers” will try to fill your head with garbage about how important it is to “meet people” and “stay on track academically,” but no one cares about things like that. Much more important is knowing where you can get all the latest and greatest stuff. Stuff makes you cool and if you don’t have any, then you suck.

So here’s where you can find music, comics, books, movies and games in our neck of the woods.

MUSIC

Atomic Records

1813 E. Locust St.

332-3663

The East Side’s oldest independent record spot. They specialize in rock, but they have hard-to-find stuff from about any genre you can think of. Atomic also carries vinyl and has occasional midnight openings for hotly anticipated new albums. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a free show by an artist stopping through town.

Exclusive Company

1669 N. Farwell Ave.

271-8590

Just south of Brady Street, Exclusive has a great selection with a nice balance of genres. A more mainstream but not overly commercial store, Exclusive will likely have what you’re looking for no matter what it is. They also have a nice selection of DVDs.

CD Max

1428 E. Brady St.

431-0770

2840 N. Oakland Ave.

431-6411

Specializing in new and used video games, DVDs and of course CDs, CD Max is good and cheap. Also a good place to pick up posters.

Bull’s Eye Records

1627 E. Irving Place

223-3177

The East Side’s newest music spot, Bull’s Eye opened this past summer in the former location of Constant Reader. They focus on vinyl, but they have CDs too. Great for obscure albums from under-looked genres for cheap, Bull’s Eye is still at best-kept-secret status, for now.

COMICS

Turning Page

2452 N. Murray Ave.

332-9460

A knowledgeable staff and an impressive selection make Turning Page a staple for East Side comic collectors. These guys know what they’re talking about.

Collector’s Edge Comics East

1804 N. Farwell Ave.

272-5055

The top comic store chain in the city, hands down. On the off chance they don’t have what you’re looking for, head down to their shop on South Kinnickinnic Avenue and check out “the vault.”

BOOKS

Harry W. Schwartz

4093 N. Oakland Ave.

963-3111

2559 N. Downer Ave.

332-1181

Milwaukee’s top bookstore chain features two locations near campus. Aside from a wide selection in easily identifiable categories, Schwartz also has authors come in for readings of their latest books on a regular basis.

Mystery One

2109 N. Prospect Ave.

347-4077

With a focus on mystery novels (no, seriously), Mystery One is a great place to find affordable sleuth novels Barnes & Noble might not carry.

People’s Books

2122 E. Locust St.

962-0575

Just two blocks south of campus, People’s Books is the definition of an independent bookstore. People’s Books is a good place to pick up something outside the box that might not be on your class reading list.

MOVIES

Riverwest Film & Video

824 E. Center St.

265-8433

Mainly known as the best place for film and film equipment, this is now the area’s best independent video rental place as well. Though they do have a fairly nice selection, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask. They’ll be more than happy to order it for you.

There are also a few big-time video rental chains with locations in Milwaukee. There are two area Blockbusters (4108 N. Oakland Ave., 967-0262; 2330 N. Farwell Ave., 276-5512) and a Hollywood Video (4231 N. Oakland Ave., 962-8058), and that’s all the publicity they really need.

VIDEO GAMES

EB Games

3907 N. Richards St.

967-1038

The only place in the area specializing in video games. Stocking the same selection you expect from any other EB Games, this location also has an awesome staff that treats you like more than just another customer.

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