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Dan Matherson’s time at Repo Records has been a rollercoaster. In his 40 years as owner of the store, he’s seen vinyl’s popularity plummet, then inch back up.
“In the early 2000s, everybody stopped buying [vinyl] and a lot. So many record stores went out of business cause everyone stopped buying physical media because everyone was burning CDs and downloading them,” he said.
Repo Records held on and during the pandemic, there started to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
“Everyone got stuck at home, and everyone rediscovered that they had to actually sit there, and put a CD or record on,” he said.
Philly has always had a good record scene, Matherson said, but it has been thriving since the pandemic. One of the biggest surprises is the change in clientele.
“It used to be older people buying records,” he said. “Now, it’s 15 year olds on up. Everybody’s buying records now.”
There are eight employees at the South Street store now, and Matherson said their different interests help shape the storefront – which sells everything from Tate McRae on vinyl to specialized merch.
Jacci Weaver has worked with the store for years and does work on its merchandise, newsletter, social media and store operations.
“It’s not just: ‘here’s just the vinyls.’ It’s more than that,” she said. “Everything’s curated and organic and it’s bright and it’s fun.”
And the store will be throwing a huge event on April 18 for Record Store Day, a semi-annual event that celebrates the culture of indie record stores.
“People line up for hours overnight to get in and try to get what they are waiting for,” she said.
The event will have limited releases, a brewed coffee truck, a DJ, a CD featuring local artists and more.
Repo Records is not the only store in Philly celebrating this occasion – and it’s certainly not the only store that is unique to the city.
Below, you can find a list of various record stores throughout the city – including their offerings, events, hours, location and any Record Store Day events.
Stores
Latchkey
This Passayunk shop lets you choose what decade, genre or mood you’re feeling to inform your vinyl choice. The store has everything from 21 Savage to Cocteau Twins to spin on your record player. They even have a website where you can browse their offerings and order records for delivery or pickup at the store.
The store also offers events like music-themed quizzo and listening parties.
You can visit them at 1502 E Passayunk Avenue. They’re open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sit and Spin
Colin McMahon owns this South Philly store with his wife.
“We have a pretty huge selection of punk, metal and hardcore, with some subgenres in there as well,” he said. “We’re dealing with secondhand, used records for the most part.”
The store opened in 2013, and has developed to include wider offerings – including CDs, cassettes, books and magazines.
McMahon said the store felt like a full circle way to commemorate a childhood interest.
“I’ve been collecting records since I was a kid,” he said. “It’s kind of evolved over a period of time and I’ve been doing record stores and stuff for a little while.”
McMahon and his wife have been involved in the Philly record scene for over 13 years.
“There’s definitely more people getting into it and I think there are a lot of stores that offer something different for each person,” he said.
You can visit Sit and Spin Records at 2243 S Lambert Street. They’re open on Friday and Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12-5 p.m. They are closed on Tuesdays.
Repo Records
Repo Records offers everything from vinyl and cassettes to curated merchandise, a newsletter, and small gifts.
You can visit them at 506 South Street. They’re open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Their Record Store Day event starts at their store at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Digital Underground
This underground record store has every genre from metal and electronic to experimental and synthpop. Reviewers highlight the knowledge and warmth of store staff, and the availability of board games and other equipment.
You can visit them at 732 South 4th Street. They are open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Long In The Tooth
This Rittenhouse record store is frequently regarded as one of the best in Philly. With crates of records from all genres. There are tons of ‘60s-’80s records, books, DVDs and more.
Reviewers say the store has a varied selection and helpful staff to help you pick your next vinyl.
You can visit the store at 2027 Sansom Street. They’re closed on Mondays, open Tuesday-Saturday from 1:00-7:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Record Exchange
This store is a hub for Philly’s underground experimental music scene. They have extensive jazz, blues and local artist selections – all at affordable prices. The store also has “hidden gems,” especially from alternative or experimental artists.
You can visit them at 1524 Frankford Avenue. They’re open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cratediggaz Records
This South Street record store has a wide selection of hip-hop, funk and soul. Located above vintage T-shirt store Marquee Philly, this record store also hosts events – including a “Kinda Jazzy Sunday” series with various jazz artists and the “Flip A Beat Club,” described as an “open mic night for sample flippers.”
Visitors commend the shop for its rare finds, helpful owner and fair prices. The store will participate in Record Store day on Saturday, April 18 with a live performance headlined by Delaware-based artist All Hail Y.T. The event will feature other performances, merch, and connection opportunities for creatives around the region and city. You can get tickets online.
You can visit them at 628 South Street. The store is open from 12-5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 12-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Records Forever
This Fairmount shop, owned by a former WHYY employee, combines owner Gabriel Coan’s love for storytelling and shopper connections with a variety of vinyl options. The store is organized by style, genre and scene time rather than alphabetization.
They have an extensive reggae selection, including rare 45s from Jamaica and the UK, as well as more popular artists like Taylor Swift, Bob Marley and the Beatles.
The shop also focuses on discovery – which helps visitors discover both what they’re looking for “plus something you don’t know.” The store also buys old records, cassettes and CDs. Additionally, they host events – including an upcoming “Sounds of the World” happy-hour DJ series.
To visit, head over to 2036 Fairmount Avenue. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Creep Records
This Northern Liberties staple (with another location in West Chester) is a brick-and-mortar store focusing on vinyl, art, and music! You can find everything from Sabrina Carpenter and Elvis on vinyl to American Pie on DVD or Playboy flip-open/close cartridge batteries.
For Record Store Day, the store will host a backyard BBQ with hot dogs, tattoos, beers, records, glass pieces, giveaways and more. For information on this event and their other programming, you can go to their website.
The store is located at 606-608 N 2nd Street. They are open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Main Street Music
This Manayunk staple is another independent store that holds space for music and art lovers all over Philly. The store has vinyl, CDs and DVDs of all genres and performances by local and national artists.
The store buys and sells – and has been around for over 30 years. Owner Pat Feeney has said vinyl sales have been up among younger clients, and that the majority of the store’s sales are vinyl.
You can check out their store at 4444 Main Street. They’re open on Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.
Rustic Music
Beyond just vinyl, CDs and cassettes, this record store sells musical instruments and accessories, like guitars and banjos. Visitors highlight the great staff, wide selection of instruments and rare records.
To get your music and vinyl on, you can visit the store at 259 S 10th Street. They’re open Monday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Launderette Records
This vinyl shop in Port Richmond has an extensive selection of records, but doubles as an art gallery and small event space.
The store hosts everything from listening parties and flea markets to film screenings and sales for things like Record Store Day. The extensive programming also includes DIY concerts – you can find many weekly events here at a time.
You can head over to Launderette at 3142 Richmond Street. They are open Wednesday-Saturday from 12-6 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.
Common Beat Music
This West Philly spot is a place to find a large selection of used records paired with instruments, musician supplies like cables and drumsticks, and full electronics repair service. You can find everything from stereos, amps and speaker stands to record players, mixers and guitars.
They also offer rentals – so you can use mixers or speakers for a short period of time.
You can browse through their collections of vinyl, cassettes and CDs – which feature everything from blues and jazz to rock and psychedelic and punk/metal. They also buy vinyl that you can bring into their store.
The store is open Sunday-Wednesday from 12-5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 12-6 p.m. They’re located at 4916 Baltimore Ave.
Impressions Philadelphia
This Kensington vinyl store lets you come in for a “dig” session, where you can have a private look at their warehouse of vinyl options. Reservations for these sessions require a $50 deposit, but it will be credited to your individual total at checkout. They also have an online store where you can browse and order from the comfort of your home!
You can book an appointment online. They are located at 2418 Martha St.
Molly’s Books & Records
This Italian Market family-run business combines books, records and events to cater to different Philadelphia interests. The store specializes in cookbooks – dedicating its entire backspace to cookbooks and food writing.
In addition to cookbooks and other literature, there are movies, records and other gifts throughout the store.
The store frequently hosts events including everything from film screenings and poetry events to meet-and-greets with local politicians.
Check them out at 1010 South 9th Street every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hideaway Music
Chestnut Hill is home to this extensive record store – which has been around since 2002. They sell everything from new releases, classics, jazz, blues and more. In addition to vinyl, they sell audio equipment like receivers and turntables. The store will have a “giant” selection for Record Store Day, and will be open early at 9 a.m.
You can check them out at 8232 Germantown Ave. They’re open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 11-5. They are closed on Mondays.
Milkcrate Cafe
If you’re hungry AND want to browse for records, Milkcrate is the perfect spot for you. They have two locations – Fishtown and West Philly – and an extensive selection of breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee items (in addition to different kinds of vinyl).
The store will also host an all-day Record Store Day event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its Fishtown location, offering exclusive vinyl, curated turntable sets and food.
You can visit them any time from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their Fishtown location is 400 E. Girard Ave and their West Philly location 4435 Baltimore Ave.
Great Circles
This record shop is a part of a community-centered platform that includes an online radio station, record label and events. The store frequently hosts art and music events in the community.
Their Record Store Day event will feature live sets and visual projections in the sanctuary of a local church.
You can visit their store at 2427 Frankford Ave. They’re open Wednesday-Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 12-6 p.m. They’re closed Sunday-Tuesday.
Beautiful World Syndicate
This brick-and-mortar shop in South Philly buys and sells records, and offers fulfillment for bands, labels, distributors and private dealers.
The store is the physical component to Philadelphia Music’s Discogs store, an online database and marketplace for physical music. The online and physical store have a combined over 100k items available for sale including CDs, DVDs and cassettes.
You can visit their physical storefront at 1619 E Passayunk Ave. They’re closed Monday-Tuesday, and open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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