Great Record Stores That Are Very Much Alive!!

[Quad Linda]

Reports of the demise of the record store have been exaggerated! Do you have a favorite record store that's still in business? Here are 10 stores that are keeping the flame alive:

J&R Music World

J&R in Downtown Manhattan may be THE most complete record store still in existence. They often host artist appearances. A couple floors of goodness. http://www.jr.com/

Exclusive Company

Wisconsin's premier record store, with 8 locations. An incredible selection of rock domestic and imports. A good selection of jazz and classical, depending on the location. The wackiest and most memorable slogan, "Say it with me!" http://www.exclusivecompany.com/

Jazz Record Mart

WORLD'S LARGEST selection of new Jazz and Blues! A great smattering of used, as well. Between State St & Michigan Ave on Illinois St., in Chicago's Gold Coast. Bob Koester, the owner, also owns Delmark records, which has produced some incredible Blues and Jazz albums, like Junior Wells' Hoodoo Man Blues (2ch AP SACD.) They also have acquired many smaller labels over the years. http://jazzmart.com/

Rolling Stones

In suburban Norridge, IL. Chicago's NW side is literally across the street. An incredible store for the rock lover! On both their website and in the Illinois Entertainer, they have monthly coupons for discounts on CD's, Blu-Ray and DVD. Open 'til 11 each night. http://www.rollingstonesmusic.com/

Jazz Record Center

Tucked away on the 8th floor of a building on 26th st in Manhattan, Jazz Record Center is the REAL DEAL for jazz collectors. Perhaps the best selection of used jazz anywhere. http://www.jazzrecordcenter.com/

B Side

Although there is an Exclusive Company location on the next block, this is Madison, WI's best record store. A great selection of rock and jazz, with many hard-to-find imports. Dan, the owner, and his staff are very knowledgable. Halfway between UW and the state Capitol in beautiful Mad City. http://b-sidemadison.com/home.html While you're there, walk a couple blocks North to pay homage to Otis Redding, who rests in Lake Mendota.

Chicago Digital

The FIRST CD store in Illinois, and one of the last. An INCREDIBLE selection or new and used across every genre. The selection will give J&R a run for their money. The store is small, but mighty. The shelves are unfinished wood. They house the booklet for each CD in a plastic bag. The discs themselves are housed in their stock room. You can listen to ANY TITLE in the store. Chris, the owner is very knowledgeable. http://chicagocompactdiscs.com/

Disc-O-Rama

Some great deals. On 8th street in Greenwich Village. http://www.discoramaoverstock.com/

Dusty Groove

A very eclectic record store on Chicago's NW side. Well merchandised and neat as a pin. New & used, rock, jazz. world, blues & soul. Lots of hard-to-find imports. CD & vinyl. http://www.dustygroove.com/

Music Masters

Located in Downers' Grove, IL (is that where they grow on trees?), a western 'burb of Chicago. A great selection of import and domestic CD's. Classic rock, jazz, and electronic abound. Even SHM CD's and SACD's. Great SACD & Gold CD selection. http://musicmast.com/

 

[elmer]

I would agree with you on J&R Music World - virtually an entire city block right across the street from City Hall - most of their employees have worked there for years - still owned by the beautiful couple - Joe & Rachelle Friedman. The largest mom & pop store in the world!. Disc-O-Rama - not so much - they have been the source of bootlegs and sleazy business practices for years - you need to take a shower after visiting their only remaining store. I would add Other Music on 4th & B'way for the definitive source on all things "alternative." Waterloo Records in Austin, TX is a one of kind place with some of the most knowledgeable staff in the business - during the annual SXSW convention - the store acts as one of the performing stages. Amoeba Records in Berkely, San Fran and Hollywood has actually grown in the face of the record store downturn by offering a massive selection of new & used - they were always my favorite stop on my West Coast business trips - them and the legendary but now defunct Tower Sunset.

 

[DennisMabry]

Finders Records in Bowling Green Ohio. Great record store! They still have incense burning. Knowledgeable and helpful sales staff. They even know what DVD-A and SACD are. Located in a college town keeps it afloat. They also have a new vinyl section that gets a little bigger each time I visit. Independent since 1971.

http://www.findersrecords.com/

 

[Quad Linda]

Yes, I agree that Disc-o-Rama are sleazeballs, IMHO. In fact, they're the only one on the list, so far as I know. I do recall being overcharged once in there.

As to Other Music, it is a very nice store. Both times I've been in there, I found their selection very limited, though they are very good at the categories they're in. Directly across 4th St. from the former largest volume record store in the US, the mammoth Tower RIP.

I would agree with you on J&R Music WorldXDisc-O-Rama - not so much - they have been the source of bootlegs and sleazy business practices for years - you need to take a shower after visiting their only remaining store. I would add Other Music on 4th & B'way for the definitive source on all things "alternative."

 

[dr. simple]

Finders Records in Bowling Green Ohio. Great record store! They still have incense burning. Knowledgeable and helpful sales staff. They even know what DVD-A and SACD are. Located in a college town keeps it afloat. They also have a new vinyl section that gets a little bigger each time I visit. Independent since 1971.

http://www.findersrecords.com/

I was just about to say, "I'll let Dennis Mabry tell you about Finders." You'll NEVER leave empty-handed. Unfortunately, they don't have room for used vinyl, but as Dennis said, a growing new vinyl selection. I even saw the Omnivore Jellyfish releases from January there - in person! Also, I bought the CD+DVDA of King Crimson "Discipline" there just a few weeks ago. Great store.

 

[jdmack]

Joe's Record Paradise - Silver Spring, Maryland (suburb of Washington, DC). Even has a quad section (with about 15 titles right now).

J. D.

 

[dr8track]

To me, one of the saddest things is to see businesses become extinct because of advancement of technology. The VCR pretty much killed the drive-in movie theatre, which I have many a fond memory of. Now digital downloads are threatening to make any physical form of music obsolete. Despite this, some of the tried and true businesses are still hanging in there. With the respect that vinyl still has among many music fans, hopefully the music store will be able to survive for another few years. My favorite music store from my college days was Music Millenium in Portland, Oregon. Once I migrated from Eastern Oregon to the big city of Portland my friends and I soon discovered Music Millenium on Burnside street in Portland. It was like heaven to a bunch of young guys from tiny Oregon town. It was in a great old building in an old Portland neighborhood. I left Portland in 86, but apparently Music Millenium is still alive and well and boasts being the oldest record store in the NW. http://www.musicmillennium.com/Home

 

[elmer]

To me, one of the saddest things is to see businesses become extinct because of advancement of technology. The VCR pretty much killed the drive-in movie theatre, which I have many a fond memory of. Now digital downloads are threatening to make any physical form of music obsolete. Despite this, some of the tried and true businesses are still hanging in there. With the respect that vinyl still has among many music fans, hopefully the music store will be able to survive for another few years. My favorite music store from my college days was Music Millenium in Portland, Oregon. Once I migrated from Eastern Oregon to the big city of Portland my friends and I soon discovered Music Millenium on Burnside street in Portland. It was like heaven to a bunch of young guys from tiny Oregon town. It was in a great old building in an old Portland neighborhood. I left Portland in 86, but apparently Music Millenium is still alive and well and boasts being the oldest record store in the NW. http://www.musicmillennium.com/Home

Terry Currier, the owner of Music Millenium is one of the really good guys in the indie music biz. Glad to see that he's still hangin' on.

 

[dr8track]

Terry Currier, the owner of Music Millenium is one of the really good guys in the indie music biz. Glad to see that he's still hangin' on.

I'm surprised he financially survived the early 70's. A guy who graduated in my high school class used to work at Music Millenium. All through high school this guy was one of the most fanatic record collectors I've ever seen. From what I've heard from friends who are still in touch with him, he still has his record collection to this day and it is ENORMOUS. When he was working at Music Millenium he pilfered probably thousands of dollars of record albums. That was back in the day when they had the old school manual cash registers and obviously, no real sophisticated method of tracking inventory. He worked there for a few years and I can't even imagine how many albums he made off with without paying for. A real a-hole move to do to an independent record store that was such a great place to shop for albums.

 

[The Rang]

Silver Platters and Easy Street Records are both alive and well and living in Seattle.

 

[leevitalone1]

To me, one of the saddest things is to see businesses become extinct because of advancement of technology. The VCR pretty much killed the drive-in movie theatre, which I have many a fond memory of. Now digital downloads are threatening to make any physical form of music obsolete. Despite this, some of the tried and true businesses are still hanging in there. With the respect that vinyl still has among many music fans, hopefully the music store will be able to survive for another few years. My favorite music store from my college days was Music Millenium in Portland, Oregon. Once I migrated from Eastern Oregon to the big city of Portland my friends and I soon discovered Music Millenium on Burnside street in Portland. It was like heaven to a bunch of young guys from tiny Oregon town. It was in a great old building in an old Portland neighborhood. I left Portland in 86, but apparently Music Millenium is still alive and well and boasts being the oldest record store in the NW. http://www.musicmillennium.com/Home

drive in movies, ah sweet memories! I'm with you but the times, they are a changing

 

[user 1679]

I haven't been there since I moved south but Ditch Records in Victoria is a great little indie shop. I rarely went in without buying something - they always have a good selection of indie stuff and the staff were always open-minded and helpful.

 

[Hepcat]

Soundscapes on College Street is currently my favourite CD/record shop in Toronto. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and it's packed with esoteric releases (and hipsters) of all kinds:

Soundscapes Website

 

[cutter]

I would recommend Homers in Omaha. They are down to one store but still a great place to visit and kill a hour or two. I have purchased music from one of their locations for at least 34 years. I used to ride my ten speed to the store when it was more of a head shop that sold vinyl and 8 tracks. I think I need to go and visit tomorrow after work.

 

[DKA]

I second all the NYC recommendations. You missed Earwax Records, Permanent Records, and a third whose name slips me in Williamsburg, Brooklyn which are absolutely alive, kicking, and thriving with a younger population looking for indie music and vinyl. Cutler's Records in New Haven, CT is also still open, although shrinking and shrinking throughout the years.

There's a wonderful place by Dupont Circle in DC I stopped in at when I was there in November. Maybe someone can provide the name.

Of course, I second Amoeba and Rasputin, who will forever fight the good fight.

 

[Frantic]

My favorite shop in my locale is "The Sound Garden" in the Fells Point area of Baltimore.

Not only does it have a large selection of LP's in it's own special area, it has one of the largest selections of CD's, DVD's Blu-Ray's etc... going!

You can spend hours and hours just lookin" around. Just like day's of old.

 

[DKA]

My favorite shop in my locale is "The Sound Garden" in the Fells Point area of Baltimore.

Not only does it have a large selection of LP's in it's own special area, it has one of the largest selections of CD's, DVD's Blu-Ray's etc... going!

You can spend hours and hours just lookin" around. Just like day's of old.

I was there about 20 years ago. Remember it well. There was also a solid electronic-oriented store I used to do mail order from in Baltimore as well. Forget the name.

 

[Quad Linda]

Pix of my faves that are still alive: Rolling Stones, Norridge, IL:

Dusty Groove, Chicago, IL:

Jazz Record Mart, Chicago, IL:
inside JRM:

J&R, Manhattan:

B Side, Madison, WI:

The Exclusive Company, Milwaukee, WI:

inside Exclusive Company's Greendale, WI store:

 

[JonUrban]

The last bastion of decent record stores left in the Hartford CT area is the Newbury Comics store in of all places, the Buckland Hills mall. They have a lot of stuff still, new and used (no SACD/DVD-A), but I did walk in there on Friday and bag a Mono Ram LP right off the shelf for $29.99.

ed - The do have box set stuff, Talking Heads, Perception, Pink Floyds, Quadrophenia, etc., but no exclusive section for surround discs.

 

[Mandrake2011]

Newbury Comics

They are a chain with stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire too. I certainly enjoy having them around.



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