History Picks: The Best Record Stores for Finding Classic Vinyl

Since 2001, Amoeba Music has been a go-to spot in Los Angeles for vinyl hunting. The sprawling shop buys and sells used media with vinyl records flowing through its trade counter daily.

The constant turnover in inventory means that dedicated crate-diggers routinely find original vintage pressings with prices that accurately reflect market value. Meanwhile, budget hunters can browse discounted records, potentially uncovering rarities and well-worn copies of favorite classics.

Located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Dusty Groove has become the city’s local haunt for soul, funk, jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Afrobeat and vintage soundtracks.

Owner and record buyer, Rick Wojcik often buys entire collections, leading to an exceptionally well-curated stock of vintage vinyl with regular turnover. The shop also runs a reissue label, perfect for collectors on the hunt for previously out-of-print classics.

Face Records began in Japan, selling records in Yokohama and Tokyo's Shibuya neighborhood before opening its first U.S. location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The store specializes in vintage Japanese releases, including city pop, Japanese jazz, electronic fusion and anime soundtracks. Many records retain their original obi strips (decorative paper bands) and inserts.

With new offerings posted to Discogs every Friday night at 7 p.m ET, digital browsing is also highly encouraged.

Waterloo Records & Video boasts 10,000 square feet of retail space and is considered one of the best places to hunt down original pressings of blues, country, psych rock and regional indie releases you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.

The shop is an Austin, Texas, institution that values customer experience. While their quality-control on pre-owned stock is high, shoppers are allowed to listen to pre-owned vinyl before buying to assure the perfect fit— a policy that’s legendary among fans. Stop by during South by Southwest (SXSW) when the shop turns into a community hub of performances, signing events and celebrations.

Electric Fetus was one of musician Prince’s favorite shops. Located in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood, the store has deep ties to the Twin Cities music scene, offering vintage pressings of 1980s Minneapolis sound recordings, rare local funk and R&B 45s and releases associated with Prince’s Paisley Park label.

Founded in 1968, the shop retains a classic 1960s record store vibe, complete with an extensive selection of books, incense and clothing, along with knowledgeable employees who inspect and grade every release that comes through the door.

Crossroads Records in Portland’s Foster-Powell neighborhood is actually a collective of more than 50 different record resellers, many of which rotate in and out on a monthly basis.

With its focus on pre-owned LPs, 45s and music memorabilia, the shop offers a wide selection of genres, rare pressings and collectible releases. Since each vendor prices their own inventory, prices can vary from booth to booth, giving dedicated crate-diggers dynamic opportunities to find bargains.

While Grimey’s is known for its collection of new releases and in-store performances, its preloved vinyl selection in East Nashville shines. Bins span nearly every decade and genre, fed by a steady stream of trade-ins from local session players, producers and Music City insiders.

Collectors frequently unearth well-preserved original pressings—ranging from classic rock, vintage country and Americana to jazz, R&B, soul and punk—each carefully inspected and graded by staff before hitting the floor.

Located in West Seattle’s Junction neighborhood, Easy Street Records & Café is a Pacific Northwest music destination that combines an extensive record store with a music-themed café. Known for its ties to Seattle’s grunge scene, the store has hosted in-store performances by Pearl Jam, Lou Reed and Brandi Carlile.

But the shop’s vintage vinyl collection that stretches across indie rock, hip-hop, jazz and local Pacific Northwest releases takes center stage. Collectors and hungry collectors can easily spend hours browsing well-graded, used LPs before grabbing a music-themed breakfast like “Johnny Cash” hotcakes next door.

An NYC destination for record collectors since 1977, Academy Records & CDs is well-regarded among vintage vinyl fans for its competitive pricing, strict condition grading and deep well of inventory. The business operates three locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Flatiron flagship specializes in hard-to-find classical, opera and vintage jazz LPs, while the East Village store focuses on used vinyl, including soul, funk, indie and avant-garde releases. The Greenpoint Annex operates as a spacious, warehouse-style haven packed with deep-catalog rock, punk and electronic releases.