Record stores? Our metropolitan area is lousy with record stores. Most skew toward vinyl, with an emphasis on used stock. But if CDs are your thing, or even tapes, or if you're in need of the newest of new releases, we've got you covered on all fronts.
Dearborn Music
22501 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-561-1000; Open 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
This shop, which has been under the ownership of the LeAnnais family for almost 60 years, has been around even longer, dating back to 1923. There are many CDs and even more records, with a decent jazz section and a huge new release section for rock and pop. They probably have the most new vinyl of any store in Michigan.
PRO TIP: If you're into Record Store Day stuff, this is the place to go.
Detroit Threads
10238 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313-872-1777; Open noon-7 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Sure, there are vintage clothes, but this is a serious record store, especially if you're shopping for new and used dance and electronic 12-inches. Who else in town has a bin marked "'90s minimal techno"?
PRO TIP: Check the New Arrivals bin before you look anywhere else.
Encore
417 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-662-6776; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
This shop contains multitudes. For used experimental, weirdo classical, avant jazz, and many varieties of folk, there's no better store. Their small section of new releases is ace, skewing toward the best reissue labels. You never have to check condition, and prices are always less than online sales site discogs.
PRO TIP: Don't forget the slide-out bins up front, especially the one marked "zydeco."
Hello
1459 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-300-5654; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
Amazing records in all genres seem to just magically appear at Hello, which is small and packed. It's best to try to avoid the place on weekends if you can, as it understandably gets super crowded. They do not sell CDs, but there are small amounts of used cassettes.
PRO TIP: Owner Wade Kergan, who started the shop in 2009, will totally put that record on hold for you, but don't take advantage of his kindness.
Found Sound
234 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-565-8775; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Big, bustling, and packed with new and used vinyl, this store is a boon to the Ferndale area. It's a great place to get lost for an hour or two while your boyfriend or girlfriend visits a nearby salon or tattoo parlor.
PRO TIP: There are always really cool records in their Miscellaneous section.
Melodies & Memories
23013 Gratiot Ave, Eastpointe; 586-774-8480; Open noon-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
The used new arrivals section alone has more records in it than many other stores; it's even alphabetized! Deals abound, and it's easy to get lost here so bring a friend or set an alarm or you might spend all day in the shop.
PRO TIP: Don't forget the giant dollar-bin section toward the back.
Peoples
4100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-0864; Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
If you're looking for used jazz, soul, and gospel, this is where to go first. Owner Brad Hales is a talented musician and great believer in hiring local talent for graphics. T-shirts have been designed by obscure train taggers while the (many) individual 45 boxes were illustrated by Anibal Gonzalez.
PRO TIP: Do not neglect the small separate room with the higher-priced records.
Record Graveyard
2610 Carpenter St., Hamtramck; 313-870-9647; Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
You have to get buzzed in first, and it feels a bit musty inside. But they do get new (almost entirely used) stock in daily. And if you're looking for classic rock, pop, jazz, and soul, the Graveyard absolutely must be on your radar.
PRO TIP: Those crates piled up on the ground in front of many of the bins just might have unsorted, recently arrived records in them, so take a careful peek.
Solo Records & Tapes
30118 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-0581; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
This is a great store for someone just starting to collect records. It's inexpensive; focuses on classic rock, soul, and jazz; and the staff is super kind. And since it isn't a hipster magnet, there are deals to be had for the more serious record nerd.
PRO TIP: The country and Detroit sections are well-stocked.
Stormy
13936 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-581-9322; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
If you're looking for the best esoterica, from used krautrock to new reissues of minimal cold wave jams, this is the store for you. Please note that Stormy has moved down the street within the last year. Its new location finds even more records on display, while owners Windy Weber and Carl Hultgren are as friendly and helpful as ever.
PRO TIP: They will always order records for you; just ask.
Street Corner Records
26020 Greenfield, Oak Park; 248-967-0777; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
It's hard to think of a more classic store than Street Corner. They pay well for used records, don't mark them up very much, and the staff is super knowledgeable and friendly. It's worthwhile to visit once a week, if you can. The selection of new vinyl is small, but very well-stocked.
PRO TIP: Used CDs are dirt cheap.
UHF
512 S Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-545-5955; Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
It might not be the cheapest shop in town, but hot damn do they really put a lot of effort into providing the Detroit area with a wide selection of new releases and new reissues on vinyl. If you like heavy stuff, you need to head here first.
PRO-TIP: The recent markdowns section has some goodies. — mt
