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Writer's pictureAlan Howe
Dec 29, 20216 min read

Literary and music fans must make a pilgrimage! 18 Independent Record Stores in the U.S.A.

Updated: Feb 9, 2022


1. Amoeba Music - California

Amoeba Music - 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Tel: 323-245-6400



Amoeba Music, located in San Francisco, is a must-visit destination for music lovers of all types when they come to Los Angeles. Why? It's no exaggeration, they really have millions of records for you to choose from, and there are many musicians' shopping carts on their website for you to see what people with good taste are listening to!



2. Revolver Records - Arizona

Revolver Records - 918 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Tel: 602-795-4980



Not the largest, but the most extensive record store, Revolver looks like a dilapidated house, dark and dusty, but it has the largest collection of jazz vinyl in Phoenix, and of course has everything from rock, funk, soul, R&B, electric and more, all at reasonable prices. If you are looking for a special and rare collection, please look inside the counter.




3. Sonic Boom Records - Washington

Sonic Boom Records - 2209 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

Tel: 206-297-2666



New and used records, vinyl, and music of all genres are packed into this small store, but the owner has organized them very neatly, so if you need to find a record in particular, you don't have to worry about taking a day. The prices are reasonable, and the store also buys vintage items.


4. Music Millennium - Oregon


Music Millennium - 3158 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

Tel: 503-607-8879



Opened 48 years ago and known as Portland's hottest record store, this is the place to go for a large selection of vinyl and CDs, as well as many long out-of-print and hard-to-find music. The owner, Terry Currier, is the local encyclopedia and general manager of the Music Hall of Fame in Portland, with an unparalleled level of professionalism. Many tourists come from all over the United States to visit the venue, making it a must-visit for music fans.



5. Vintage Vinyl - Missouri

Vintage Vinyl - 6610 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130

Tel: 314-721-4096


The most famous record store in St. Louis, the store is large and neat, and although the collection is quite extensive, it is very easy to find the album you want to buy. CDs, DVDs and vinyl are available in all genres, and free beer and music events are often held, so no wonder it is so popular.



6. Chain Reaction Records - Colorado

Chain Reaction Records - 8799 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215

Tel: 303-237-4445



If you're a big fan of heavy metal, if you like to shake your head to the musicians and music on stage, if you're a metal nerd, you'll thank God you visited this place. Many super rare and hard to find music such as new wave British metal, Canadian heavy metal, religious rock, and even those records you ordered from Viking Music and lost in transit, may be reunited here. In addition, the store also sells a variety of design skateboards, stickers, badges, and trinkets.


7. End Of An Ear - Texas

End of An Ear - 4304 Clawson Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Tel: 512-462-6008




Founded in 2005 by Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle, End Of An Ear is dedicated to promoting and supporting good music that is not mainstream, but is serious about what it does. Although the space is small, the store displays new pop, used, and non-mainstream music on CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, and has a tasting area where you can listen before you pay. The store holds regular music performances and free ticket distribution events, so you can track them down to get the latest information.



8. Hello Records - Michigan

Hello Records - 1459 Bagley Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Tel: 313-300-5654



Motown music is a must when you're in Detroit! Detroit, once declared bankrupt, not only saw the decline of the auto industry, but also the decline of Motown Music, which was a huge hit in the 1950s, making similar Hello Records particularly rare. The store is filled with a rich collection from the mid-1900s to the 1990s, and there are many independently released records by local musicians that are worth a visit.



9. Louisiana Music Factory - Louisiana

Louisiana Music Factory - 421 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 USA

Tel: 504-586-1094



Louisiana Music Factory is the first record store to reopen after Hurricane Katrina and has been honored as the best record store in New Orleans for its rich collection and passion for music promotion. It has a large collection of jazz, blues, local musicians' independent releases, New Orleans music tours, Zydeco music and more. Oh yeah, and the super cute store cat - Snooks!



10. In Your Ear! Records - Massachusetts

In Your Ear Records - 957 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Tel: 617-787-9755



In Your Ear, the 2012 Boston Magazine Best Used Record Store, is one of the favorites of many musicians, with a small space filled with all kinds of vinyl, cassette tapes, and 8-tracks. This is a great place to spend a whole day.


11. Gramaphone Records - Illinois

Gramaphone Records - 2843 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 USA

Tel: 773-472-3683



Where else can you find a city with a richer history of music and dance than Chicago, other than New York and Detroit? Gramaphone has been selling this type of music since before House Music was officially named, and is a treasure trove for DJs and vinyl lovers.



12. My Mind's Eye - Ohio

My Mind's Eye Records - 16010 Detroit Rd, Lakewood, OH 44107

Tel: 216-521-6660




Cleveland's finest used and new vinyl record store, featuring everything from metal to punk to rock to jazz. Famous bands such as Ringworm and Nine Inch Nails started here, so you can imagine their pride is justified. Make sure you've had enough to eat and drink before you go in, this is a place you'll be staying for a while.



13. Princeton Record Exchange - New Jersey

Princeton Record Exchange - 20 S Tulane St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Tel: 609-921-0881




With a staff that has been in business for over a decade and a large selection of new and used CDs, DVDs and vinyl, it's no wonder that the store has been in business since 1980. Located in historic Princeton, it's a great place for students, residents, and tourists to find musical comfort in the neighborhood.



14. Double Decker Records - Pennsylvania

Double Decker Records - 808 St John St, Allentown, PA 18103

Tel: 610-439-3600




Founded in 1996, Double Decker Records is an independent record label with over 25,000 vinyl and 10,000 45's and over a thousand new releases every week, making it a well-known destination for many vinyl hunters. It must be reminded that if you see one you like, don't hesitate, because hesitating this second may be regretful for the rest of your life, and the next time you see it, you don't know where it will be.


15. Academy Records - New York

Academy Records & CDs - 12 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011

Tel: 212-780-9166



New York's #1 vinyl buyer. If you have a great collection, they'll be willing to travel all the way to you to buy it. There are as many as three record stores alone, with a wide variety of genres, new and used. However, it must be said that two of the three stores are full of vinyl, so you will know how to answer your friends when they ask where to buy vinyl in the future!



True Vine - 3544 Hickory Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211 USA

Phone: 410-235-4500


The store has an exceptional collection of vintage and hard-to-find vinyl records, as well as some ethnic vinyl, so you'll be surprised at the amount of treasure you'll find here. The store also has a rich collection of independently released records by local Baltimore singers and bands, so it's a fun way to get to know a city through music.



17. Sweat Records - Florida

Sweat Records - 5505 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Tel: 786-693-9309




Located next to Churchchill's Pub, a mecca for punk fans, Sweat Records has a large and comprehensive collection of independent music and is an important landmark for Miami's independent music scene, as well as a favorite treasure trove for musicians, celebrities, and collectors.



18. Third Man Records - Tennessee

Third Man Records - 623 7th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Tel: 615-891-4393




From the early days of the White Stripes and Saboteurs to his unique Guacamole recipes, and his sensational and romantic love affair with his ex-wife Karen Elson, the 17th-ranked guitarist in the world by the Rolling Stones sells his This is a mecca for rock fans! I can't help but push it!


Every record tells a story, wanna make your own unique mixtape? Check out our lathe-cut vinyl record service!




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