Annie Zaleski and Nikki Delamotte

21 independent record stores in Cleveland, Akron and beyond

When it comes to record stores, Northeast Ohio is a treasure trove for music lovers. There’s no shortage of places to spend the day rummaging through crates, whether you’re looking for vintage vinyl or shiny new releases. Hip-hop to metal to punk to electronic to jazz – the many genre-spanning shops in the region have it all. And they’re owned by music connoisseurs that can serve up their best recommendations and knowledge to everyone who walks in the door. There are few better ways to get to know a local music scene quite like record stores, and this guide leads the way.

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Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com

A Separate Reality Records

A Separate Reality Records, 2678 West 14th Street, Cleveland; 216-644-7934. Pick a genre, any genre—Krautrock? psych-rock? prog? heavy metal? rockabilly? soul?—and chances are this Tremont vinyl paradise has you covered: After all, the store boasts 200,000 used records in its collection. (Annie Zaleski)

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Bent Crayon Records

Bent Crayon Records, 1305 West 80th Street, Cleveland; 216-221-9200. For two decades, Bent Crayon has been warping the minds of locals—in the best possible ways—thanks to an emphasis on electronic, experimental and out-there artists and sounds. The store's website, which features sound samples and musical descriptions, makes discovery easy, however. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: The Black Market)

The Black Market

The Black Market, 5403 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland. This retail pop-up features a variety of metal-themed memorabilia and gifts—and holds metal and punk yoga classes, as well as a flea market—but also a mighty collection of local and national music. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: Peggy Turbett / The Plain Dealer)

Blue Arrow Records

Blue Arrow Records, 16001 Waterloo Road, Cleveland; 216-486-2415. Vinyl is the name of the game at Blue Arrow—from the album covers decorating the floor to the tidy racks of new and used LPs and 45s, spanning all genres and eras. Be sure to check out the store's label releases, too—such as two 7-inches from legend Jonathan Richman. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: Brittany Benton)

Brittany's Record Shop

Brittany's Record Shop, 6410 Fleet Ave., Cleveland; 216-804-3453. If you've been to any dance parties or festivals in Cleveland, there's a good chance you've heard the sounds of Brittany Benton – whether or not you know it. Also known as DJ Red-I, she's a regular at events like Sanctuary at Touch Supper Club, and also serves as one-half of hip-hop duo FreshProduce. So when it comes to hip-hop, reggae and soul, Benton knows how to stock the crates with new and vintage vinyl. Benton took over Young Kings Record Shop in Hingetown, but re-opened as Brittany's Record Shop in Slavic Village.

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(Photo: Calhoun Record Shop)

Calhoun Record Shop

Calhoun Record Shop, 356 Reed Avenue, Akron; 330-212-5334. Northeast Ohio's most unique record store is also the area's best-kept-secret. Fans of hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz are particularly in luck, as Calhoun is known for stocking a generous amount of these genres.

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(Photo: Hanson Records)

Hanson Records

Hanson Records, 25 ½ West College St., Oberlin; 440-281-2941. This Oberlin shop is helmed by acclaimed experimental artist Aaron Dilloway, so you can expect to see eclectic, genre-bending selections throughout the shelves. Along with new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes, you'll also find books and zines. Hanson Records is also a record label that has an expansive roster, including releases by artists like Emeralds, Skin Graft, Andrew Kirschner and more.

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(Photo: PD file photo)

Hausfrau Record Shop

Hausfrau Record Shop, 1392 West 65th Street, Cleveland; 216-394-5171. This Gordon Square vinyl emporium has a nice balance of new and used wax, although its sweet spot is obscure punk, hardcore, post-punk and new wave, as well as modern indie and reissues. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: Hollow Bone)

Hollow Bone Records

Hollow Bone Records, 2721 West Market Street, Fairlawn; 234-334-7484. Akron's new kid on the record store block is a good resource for new and used vinyl, as well as turntables and the occasional music in-store.

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(Photo: Just Jettie's)

Just Jettie's/All $ales Vinyl

Just Jettie's and All $ales Vinyl, 3348 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland; 216-716-4323. It's easy to miss Just Jettie's private club, tucked away on St. Clair Ave. Inside, its owner has more than 30,000 records, including plenty of rarities and collectibles. You'll have to make an appointment, and then you get an all-access pass for two hours. The collection specializes n genres such as classic R&B, hip-hop and contemporary and classic jazz. They also stock rare and vintage VHS and DVDs. You'll see Just Jettie's and All $ales Vinyl's name pop up around town when they collaborate on events (such as "The Dig" at CLE Urban Winery), where they tote their vinyl along to bring music to the masses.

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(Photo: Last Exit)

Last Exit Vinyl House

Last Exit Vinyl House, 113 South Water St., Kent; 330-474-7447. Last Exit is a beloved, evolving piece of Kent. The shop opened in July 2004 and first expanded the bookstore part of the brick-and-mortar. A decade later, they added a coffee shop to their repertoire in 2015. In early 2018, they opened Last Exit Vinyl House to offer even more music. Last Exit buys, sells, and trades books, DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs and, of course, records.

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(Photo: PD file photo)

Loop in Tremont

Loop in Tremont, 2108 West 11th Street, Cleveland, 44113; 216-298-5096. Grab a cup of coffee at Loop before starting your record shopping: You'll need the fuel to peruse their mighty selection of new and used vinyl and CDs. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: My Mind's Eye)

My Mind's Eye

My Mind's Eye, 16101 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood; 216-521-6660. My Mind's Eye has a well-curated selection of punk, metal, garage and hard rock 45s, CDs and LPs, along with T-shirts and zines. Stop in and chat with passionate proprietor Charles Abou-Chebl—you're guaranteed to learn a thing or two thanks to his encyclopedic musical mind. (Annie Zaleski)

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Nikki's Music

Nikki's Music, 11701 Buckeye Road, Cleveland; 216-991-0011. Thanks to knowledgeable Nikki's Music owner Sanders Henderson, this store's selection of local and national rap, gospel, hip-hop/R&B and soul is top-notch. (Annie Zaleski)

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Record Den

Record Den, 7661 Mentor Avenue, Mentor; 440-946-9909. Those who like digging for treasure will find much to love within this area staple's packed used CD and vinyl stacks. However, Record Den is a reliable stocker of new releases, Record Store Day selections and choice imports as well. (Annie Zaleski)

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Record Revolution

Record Revolution, 1832 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights; 216-321-7661. A holdover from Coventry's days as an iconoclastic hippie enclave, Record Revolution still stocks a decent amount of vinyl, as well as other counterculture paraphernalia and accessories. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: The Plain Dealer)

Square Records

Square Records, 824 West Market Street, Akron; 330-375-9244. This Highland Square hotspot boasts a comprehensive selection of new vinyl spanning all genres and eras. The store's used CD and vinyl inventory isn't half bad, either. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: Time Traveler Records)

Time Traveler Records

Time Traveler Records, 118 West Market Street, Akron; 330-819-8955. Although Time Traveler moved to a new, more central location in early 2015, the store's extensive inventory of used CDs and vinyl is still intact. Come looking for bargains and buried treasure; you never know what'll turn up. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: The Vinyl Groove)

The Vinyl Groove Records

The Vinyl Groove Records, 679 Broadway Ave., Bedford; 440-439-8371. You'll find a little bit of everything at Bedford music hub The Vinyl Groove. Not only are they stocked with thousands of diverse new and used records spanning punk, hip-hop, jazz, metal and more, you'll also find music memorabilia. Along with their music selection, they buy and sell vintage stereo equipment, speakers and turntables. To top it off for music lovers, they also have stereo repair and record cleaning services.

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The Exchange

The Exchange, 15100 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood; 216-521-0045. For over 40 years, the Exchange—which has multiple locations in Northeast Ohio—has been a mecca for deal-hunters looking for CD, vinyl, DVD and video game bargains. The Lakewood branch of this retail chain has a particularly nice selection of new and used media. (Annie Zaleski)

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(Photo: The Vinyl Groove)

The Vinyl Groove

The Vinyl Groove Records, 679 Broadway Avenue, Bedford, 44146; 440-439-8371. Not only does this under-the-radar store boast a nice selection of rock and jazz LPs, but it also stocks stereo equipment, speakers and turntables, and makes repairs. (Annie Zaleski)

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Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com

Record Store Day 2018

Record Store Day is Saturday, April 21, and the exclusives range from Aaliyah to Frank Zappa. Indie shops around Northeast Ohio will be stocked full of special releases, and plenty will be hosting sales, in-store performances and DJs. RSD is a holiday we like to celebrate every day here – but it doesn't hurt when you can also pick up music from The Notorious B.I.G., MC5, Run the Jewels and The Rolling Stones. This is your guide to events happenings all over town.

Read more: Record Store Day 2018: Guide to Northeast Ohio events

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essentialCLE

Search the Essential CLE Visitors Guide, your source for the best places to eat, drink or play near you, or anywhere in Greater Cleveland.

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