They say vinyl is coming back, but we’re not sure it ever left and neither are the folks behind Memphis’ music shops. We took a spin around the city of blues to track down record stores of all shapes and sizes to help you guys get in the groove.
Goner Records
Where it’s at: 2152 Young Ave
When it’s open:
Monday through Thursday – 12 pm to 7 pm
Friday and Saturday – 12 pm to 9 pm
Sunday – 12 pm to 5 pm
Not only a local record store but also a local record label as well, Goner has a little bit of everything for everyone. All of the vinyls are separated by genre and alphabetized for easy browsing. There’s always a record currently available spinning on the table, so if you like what ya hear be sure to ask about it. In the case of trying something new, there’s a listening station open for customers, just make sure to check out the rules first.
Shangri-La Records
Where it’s at: 1916 Madison Ave
When it’s open:
Monday through Friday – 12 pm to 7 pm
Saturday – 11 am to 6 pm
Sunday – 1 pm to 5 pm
Shangri-La opened back in 1988, but not as the record store we know and love today. The original business provided services with sensory deprivation tanks, massages, and “brain tune-ups”. It wasn’t long after that the Shangri-La Memphis knows today started from a single crate of records. The store now has a huge collection of albums in every genre, both new and used. If you’re looking for something collectible or obscure, this is the place to go. Just for the record, CDs and movies can be found around the shop as well.
Xanadu Music and Books
Where it’s at: 2200 Central Ave
When it’s open:
Monday through Saturday – 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday – 1 pm to 4 pm
Welcome to Xanadu, home of the Lowebow, where you can find not only vintage instruments and books, but an interesting collection of records. Compared to the rest of the store, the vinyl section is a little small. It resides inside the music room at Xanadu, where you’ll find plenty of things to keep you busy for the afternoon. Xanadu also has an extensive book collection that runs through most of the store with pretty much any title you can think of. Be sure to say hi to Cordell the Cat while you’re in; she pretty much runs the place.
Memphis Music
Where it’s at: 149 Beale Street
When it’s open:
Monday through Saturday – 10 am to Midnight
Sunday – 12 pm to 10 pm
Memphis Music is technically classified as a gift shop on Beale, but it has the largest collection of new vinyl out of all the stops on our list. Actually, almost all of the vinyl in Memphis Music is new or repressed, with the exception of a single crate of used records. This goes for the 45s as well. Memphis Music also has a great selection of CDs and posters. Don’t have a turntable? No worries! Memphis Music has some for sale!
Replays
Where it’s at: 7541 US-64
When it’s open:
Monday through Saturday – 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm
This Bartlett record stop sells both new and used vinyl on one side of their store. The rest of the store consists of mainly CDs, with video games stacked along the rest of the walls. The records here are sorted alphabetically, but not by genre. There’s no listening station open at Replays, so if you’re trying something new you’ll have to go with your gut. For all my bargain lovers out there, all of the vinyl in replays is priced the lowest out of all the stores on our list.
Memphis Listening Lab
Where it’s at: 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 269
While it’s not a place for shopping, it’s definitely one for perusing!
The Memphis Listening Lab isn’t just another place to pop in to listen to music. Now housed in Crosstown Concourse, this curated collection of music history attracts music lovers of all genres—not only with it’s astounding quantity of over 60,000 records and CDs, but with its dedication to music celebration and production through events and the on-site recording studio. Thanks to the benevolence of John King, co-founder of Ardent Studios and the generous donor of this inaugural assemblage, folks from near and far will be soothed by the sounds of Memphis music and more.
