BORDENTOWN, NJ – Randy Ellis, better known as Randy Now, a former U.S. Postal Service employee who knows how to rock the house, is moving his niche record store Randy Now’s Mancave from Bordentown to Hightstown.
Ellis, the former promoter at the legendary New Jersey punk and underground club City Gardens in the 80s and 90s, eventually went on to open a subculture-themed record and collector’s shop in downtown Bordentown.
Now, as records are becoming more popular and coming back into style among young and old music fans alike, Ellis announced he is moving his store on June first a bit further north.
Ellis was known as being the only adult in the room during his time at City Gardens, captured in the book No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes and a documentary called Riot on the Dance Floor.
Even though Randy kept a sign at the front door warning guests at rock, punk and underground music shows, “No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes”, that’s exactly what happened once the bands started playing.
Randy could be heard over the club’s PA system like an annoying uncle reminding the kids in the basement at the annual family get-together, telling them not to break things or ruin the house.
Now, he runs the Man Cave which until recently also hosted live music events from some of the same bands that passed through the City Gardens doors in the 80s and 90s.
You can find a lot of interesting things at the Man Cave, rare records, music and sub-culture memorabilia, but perhaps nothing is more iconic and interesting as the original cash register from the club for those of us who grew up and became adults in venues like City Gardens.
Randy Now’s Man Cave is scheduled to open at its new location in June. Until then you can catch up and relive old memories with Randy at his Bordentown shop and check out his huge collection.
