A record store, after all, is still a record store, regardless of its title. But the folks at Vibes have been slowly introducing changes -- like offering coffee, comics and casualness -- that culminated in the store's new name.

People associated with Vibes, 226 E. College Ave., think that revamping the store and changing the name will draw a larger crowd. Vibes, formerly known as National Record Mart and the National Record Mart Annex, 232 E. College Ave., might be a big step toward a newer, better store.

"Vibes is a new concept from our company," said Nina Klein, store manager. The new concept, geared toward college markets, is to improve on the old store.

The differences include the selection, the pricing and the atmosphere, Klein said. Supply has been changed to cater more toward college tastes. There is more imported music and used compact discs and an expanded alternative selection. The costs have also gone down, making it more affordable for the average college student, she said.

The environment has also changed, resulting in a more relaxed sales environment, that even affects the staff, who now can dress more casually.

"We can wear jeans now," said Cathy Heard, sales associate at the newly annointed store. "That's a very happy thing."

Heard admits that the changes are not too extreme. "Same store, same people," she said.

In fact, changes have come gradually as the store has been slowly evolving for about three months. It was only last Friday, after the blue Vibes sign was hung outside, that the change was made official.

Some shoppers, despite the name change, did not notice anything different.

"It's pretty much exactly the same," said Kris Simmers (senior-psychology).

The numerous changes are not that drastic. A few minutes of careful examination, however, can yield new sights.

There is a sign by the entrance, for example, that says, "Enjoy a cup of coffee while you shop --49 cents." A magazine rack, filled with the latest issues of everything from Cosmopolitan to Rolling Stone to, of course, Vibe, sits in a corner next to a group of comic books hanging from the wall.

Little items, such as posters, stickers and T-shirts, appear where they have never been seen before.

It remains to be seen whether those changes will affect customer opinion.

"I could care less whether it's Vibes or National Record Mart," said John Kanopka (junior-communications), who shops there often. "It doesn't make a difference."