30 essential Detroit area record stores to support to keep the music alive

By Metro Times editorial staff on Thu, Dec 2, 2021 at 12:00 pm

Keep music alive by supporting these local, legendary, and thriving Detroit-area record stores, which keep the inspiration spinning all year long.

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Weirdsville Records

61 Macomb Pl., Mount Clemens; 586-468-2665; weirdsvillerecords.com

There's nothing weird about this Mount Clemens record shop, though it might be weird if you didn’t find something while perusing its collection of nearly 20,000 records spanning garage, surf, rock, punk, new wave, country, classical, lounge, indie, and more. They also sell some music equipment and effects pedals, tiki wares, vintage toys, rock and horror shirts, and a bunch of other stuff that may or may not be weird. Oh, and they might just be the only metro Detroit shop to have their own radio station.

Photo via Weirdsville Records /Facebook

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Ripe Records

15212 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-469-7479; riperecordsdetroit.com

Husband-and-wife-owned and -operated Ripe Records was established in 2018 and has already amassed a following thanks to its curated selection of new vinyl and collection of players, stereos, and receivers.

Photo via Ripe Records Detroit / Instagram

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Wazoo Records

336 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-761-8686; wazoorecords.blogspot.com

This tiny and tidy Ann Arbor spot has been doing its thing since 1974, serving the community with its eclectic selection of sublime to ridiculous — and ridiculously rare — records, tapes, CDs, and more. Don't want to leave the house? Wazoo Records' collection can be shopped online.

Photo via Google Maps/by owner

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Stormy Records

313-581-9322; stormyrecords.com

This longstanding shop recently closed its Dearborn storefront, but music fans can still shop their extensive listings online.

Photo via Stormy Records / Facebook

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Wax Bar

44 E Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-879-0276; waxbarypsi.com

Not only does this record lounge serve up used and new LPs and 45s, but also craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

Photo via WaxBar / Facebook

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Technical Equipment Supply

306B N. River St., Ypsilanti; technicalequipmentsupply.com

A music and gear store owned and operated by DJ and music producer Todd Osborn, with a focus on techno, electro, and hip-hop. The store is also home to its own label, which has released music from acts like Apex Twin and Madlib.

Photo via Technical Equipment Supply / Facebook

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Hello Records

4165 Fort St., Lincoln Park; 313-300-5654; hellorecordsdetroit.com

This small yet eclectic Corktown record shop relocated to a much larger Downriver space during the pandemic, allowing the store to expand into CDs, DVDs, posters, and other memorabilia.

Photo via Hello Records / Instagram

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Peoples Records

1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-399-2981; peoplesdetroit.com

This vinyl-only shop located inside the Trinosophes art space largely sells used records, with an emphasis on jazz, R&B, and gospel, though they do stock some new Detroit techno and house.

Photo via Peoples Records / Facebook

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Paramita Sound

1515 Broadway St., Detroit; paramitasound.com

This small record store started in a house storefront in Detroit's West Village neighborhood, making a name for itself with its Beat Profile parties that could draw huge crowds. It later relocated to 1515 Broadway downtown, where it's now a record store and wine bar. It closed during the pandemic, but recently announced its return.

Photo via Social Club Detroit / Instagram

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Flames Favorites Record Store

51 W. Hancock St., Detroit; 313-283-3422; facebook.com/flamesfavs

The small record store, which focuses on vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes, is located in "The Market in the ARC" building near the Wayne State University campus. The store has a mission to to provide employment for Detroiters with disabilities and raise diversity awareness through projects like D.A.M.P. (Diversity Awareness through Music and Poetry).

Photo via Flames Favorites Record Store / Facebook

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Spot Lite

2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; spotlitedetroit.com

Soon after opening in 2021, this performance and arts space run by the 1xRun print house has become a favorite hangout, drawing inclusive crowds. In addition to a bar, it also has a small record store, largely sourced from the owners Roula David and Jesse Cory's trips through the midwest.

Photo by Lizz Wilkinson

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