Record Store Day is the time of year to celebrate local independent music stores. Many Virginia record stores are participating with sales, special releases and more for Record Store Day, no matter which record store you plan to celebrate with.
Need a spot to find the records you’re collecting? Virginia has a number of independently owned record stores across the state.
Plan 9 Records in Richmond
–CENTRAL VIRGINIA–
Plan 9 Records – Richmond and Charlottesville
Plan 9 is an independent record store with more than 30 years in the music retailing business. With locations in Richmond and Charlottesville, Plan 9 carries a wide selection of new and used CDs as well as a large selection of new and used vinyl in most musical genres, from bluegrass to jazz to hip hop. Both venues also host live in-store music performances throughout the year.
Deep Groove Records – Richmond
It may be a small record store, but the quality and variety of records is very large. This shop, located in Richmond’s Fan District, has new and hidden gems for every music lover.
Vinyl Conflict – Richmond
Located in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood, Vinyl Conflict specializes in new and used punk, hardcore, and metal records and merchandise.
Melody Supreme in Charlottesville (Photo provided by Melody Supreme)
Melody Supreme – Charlottesville
Located on the Downtown Mall, Melody Supreme is dedicated to vinyl. You’ll find new and used vinyl selections of every genre here.
Sidetracks – Charlottesville
Sidetracks, located just past the railroad tracks in downtown Charlottesville, offers new and used CDs, vinyl, and more with new releases weekly. The store can also special and pre-order almost anything you’re looking for.
Speakertree Records – Lynchburg
Speakertree offers the Hill City’s best selection in new and previously owned vinyl. The store prides itself on offering what the local community is looking for and will special order whatever a customer may be looking for.
–SHENANDOAH VALLEY–
Ear Food – Winchester
A very traditional vinyl shop that’s been in business for more than 30 years.
Chester Records – Winchester
Chester Records is a small vinyl only record shop located inside Hopscotch Coffee. Listeners can easily get their caffeine fix while finding great records.
Black Sawn Books and Music – Staunton
Black Swan offers used and select records as well as used and rare books.
Switz-Mix Records – Luray
Switz-Mix Records is a good old-fashioned used record store featuring albums of all genres located in the heart of Luray. The store opened on Record Store Day 2016 and is a welcome addition to the community. Plus, they have a couple of friendly store kittens to help you browse.
Wonder Records – Harrisonburg
Wonder Records is a blend of modern art and vintage nostalgia that offers a mix of classic and contemporary vinyl across all genres and a massive collection of instruments, amps and gear that any musician might need. This, coupled with its selection of local art and gear for skateboarders make Wonder a thriving and eclectic record store as well as a unique piece of downtown Harrisonburg.
–NORTHERN VIRGINIA–
CD Cellar in Falls Church (Photo by Kevin Moss)
CD Cellar – Falls Church
In business since 1992, CD Cellar has staff-picked music blaring from the speakers, rows and rows and rows of CDs, vinyl records, and more. This store is located just up the street from one of the best live music venues in the region, The State Theatre.
Mobius Records – Fairfax
Mobius is your neighborhood new and used vinyl record shop located on Main Street in downtown Fairfax near many neighborhood attractions.
Dig! Records and Vintage – Leesburg
Dig opened July 2015 and specializes in used LPs and 45s and a small selection of new titles. All genres are available, but it mainly holds finds from the late 50s to the 80s. There’s also a small selection of vintage and rock/concert shirts.
Blue Groove Soundz – Arlington
Located in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood, Blue Groove Soundz is a small neighborhood record store that specializes in vinyl records of all types.
Records & Rarities – Manassas and Springfield
With locations at Manassas Mall and Springfield Town Center, Records & Rarities is a vintage boutique style store that boasts a broad array of vinyl from your favorite genres including blues, jazz, rock, hip hop, and more. It also sells a wide range of products such as skateboards and vintage video games. Live DJs are often spinning throughout the day.
Crooked Beat Records – Alexandria
Recently relocated from its Washington, DC store, Crooked Beat Records’ new home is now on historic King Street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The store offers many hard to find new and used LPs of independent and obscure releases.
Vienna Music Exchange – Vienna
This local Northern Virginia spot features the finest selection of metal records and plenty of punk, hardcore and rock LPs all packed into one spot.
–COASTAL VIRGINIA–
Skinnie’s Records – Norfolk
Located in Norfolk’s historic Ghent neighborhood, Skinnie’s specializes in punk and hard rock music from vinyl to CDs as well as accessories including clothing, leather goods, patches, pins and posters.
Vinyl Daze Records – Virginia Beach
Vinyl Daze Records sells new and used vinyl and accessories. The store also offers a listening station, where customers can listen to the quality of the used records before purchase.
Birdland Music – Virginia Beach
Named after jazz musician Charlie “The Bird” Parker, Birdland Music has been a family owned business for more than 40 years. The store offers new and used vinyl, CDs and more music accessories. The staff here have been said to make every customer feel like family.
AFK Books and Records – Virginia Beach
Located right near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, AFK Books and Records has a large vinyl selection with over 10,000 records in almost every genre. Plus, it has an extensive collection of books, comics, audiobooks, turntables, CDs, movies and video games.
Sound Idea Records – Onancock
Sound Idea Records is an independent record store located in historic Onancock on the Delmarva Peninsula. The store specializes in vinyl records, both new and secondhand.
–SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA–
The Bazaar in Roanoke (Photo provided by The Bazaar)
The Bazaar – Roanoke
The Bazaar sells new and used LPs and CDs and features music by local and regional artists as well. The store also hosts live in-store music performances throughout the year.
The Vintage Vault – Roanoke
Roanoke Valley’s newest record shop has been open since 2015 and carries thousands of new and used LPs, 45s EPs and other vintage pop culture.
Richlands Record Exchange – Richlands
Open since 1997, Richlands Record Exchange sells music you can’t find anywhere else in the area. Along with CDs and vinyl albums, the store also sells DVDs, body jewelry, skateboards, t-shirts, and more.
Are we missing your favorite record shop? Let us know in the comments below.
Find more music related stories on virginia.org/music.
Record and Tape Exchange has closed. I heard they moved to North Carolina.
Switz-Mix Records in Luray opened on Record Store, 2016!