The record stores of our youth, that would be a dangerous thread to start. Here in the Quad Cities it was a regional chain called CO-OP Records, we're down to the last one here in Moline. These days the best place for both vintage and new vinyl is a shop called Ragged Records in Davenport, IA. It's just across the river from me and it's run by one of the former managers of CO-OP.
Toad Hall (love the Wind In The Willows reference BTW) sounds like something I should check out on one of our periodic trips to Rockford, my wife's cousin and her husband now live there with one of their sons and his family and we get there 3-4 times a year.
And check out Culture Shock, the record store I previously posted about. Also has stacks of audio gear. There are a couple others also, but they don't have that 70's vibe going.
Toad Hall Records has a website with pics of the place inside and out. Neat place.