In the era of streaming services, vinyl and other physical formats of music are sometimes considered a novelty–something that fans of a given artist put on the shelf for display but show no real interest in. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as people of all ages and musical interests are wholeheartedly taking part in vinyl’s huge comeback. These stores are some of the best locations in New Jersey for newcomers and hardcore fans to do the same.
BB’s Records
Bergenfield
This shop has colorful crates full of records. Come in Wednesday to Sunday to check out everything from ’70s punk rock to ’90s hip hop.
Decades of Memories
Newton
Relive a half-century of hits with this store. Decades of Memories is dedicated to “preserving the sights and sounds of days gone by.”
EZ2Collect
Elmwood Park
This shop has been collecting for over 50 years. Get lost in the more than 60,000 CDs, 75,000 LPs, memorabilia and more. Or, get in contact with the store and have them do the searching for you.
Factory Records
Dover
Buy, sell and trade tons of music here, especially rock, metal, punk, hip hop, Latin and jazz. There’s an online shop if you can’t make it in person, or stop by if you need a repair or new or vintage equipment.
Groovy Graveyard
Asbury Park
If you’re into psych rock, punk, metal or anything with that distinct “garage” sound, Groovy Graveyard is for you. With a large catalog from bands such as The Cramps and Misfits, this store’s records will have you headbanging to pulverizing punk rock riffs.
Howard and Nan’s Record Shop
Inside Berlin Farmer’s Market, Berlin
Check out vintage LP’s and more in this store from the 1950s.
Inner Groove Records
Collingswood
Leaf through stacks of vinyl old and new as well as turntables of every variety. If you’re in the mood to sell, Inner Groove will grade and sort your old collection before making you a thoughtful offer.
Lofidelic Records
Belmar
David Hernandez wanted to be a hip-hop DJ and would frequently skip school, jump on a bus and head to Red Bank to spend his lunch money at Jack’s Music. After he was fired from his corporate job in 2017, he saw thousands of records in his basement that he had collected and decided to open a vinyl-only records shop. Browse through the collection of records bought from NJ, NY and PA.
Music Country
Cliffside Park
This claims to the the oldest record store in the tri-state area, founded in 1934. The original name was Taliaferro Radio & Electric, and Anthony Taliaferro and his wife Elsie sold radios, record players and records. The store was passed down to their daughter, Joan Demarest, who started working in the store around age 10. The store was renamed Music Country in the 1980s, and Joan and her husband Bill currently own and operate one of the few vinyl record stores left in New Jersey.
Princeton Record Exchange
Princeton
Founder Barry Weisfeld started to sell records from the back of his van in 1975. Cut to nearly fifty years later and Princeton Record Exchange has a diverse collection of 100,000 LPs, CDs, and DVDs. Buy, sell, and get lost in between the stacks of vinyl.
The Rock Shop
Mays Landing
Complement your music collection with some cool T-shirts, a turntable or imported pressings from Japan. They have a huge selection of vinyl, CDs, shirts, flags, memorabilia and other music-related items.
Scotti’s Record Shops
Summit
Scotti’s has been collecting rock to jazz to everything in between since 1956. Check out their selection of vinyl LPs, 45s and 78s, CDs, turntables and speakers. Also stop by for their special Record Store Day collection each year–first come, first serve!
Sky Valley Records
Somerdale
Browse new and old LPs of every genre before checking out some of the collectible and hard-to-find merch the store has to offer.
Sound Effects Records
Hackettstown
Get greeted by friendly faces as you browse Sound Effects’ collection of LPs and CDs across different decades and genres.
Tunes
Hoboken
Tunes is the go-to shop for new releases, with an additionally diverse selection of classics. From the new Greta Van Fleet album to live John Coltrane records, Tunes is sure to have something for everyone.
Vinyl Addiction Records
North Arlington
From MF DOOM to Soundgarden, this store has classic albums and underground records you may not have heard of. Stop by on a weekday afternoon or on a weekend. If you’re looking for a specific record, they’ll special order it for you!
The Vinyl Dinosaur
Bayville
Shop vinyl, CDs, 8-track tapes, music equipment and merchandise in this small but well-supplied store.
- Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.
Read More:
The Jonas Brothers Added a Second Show in NJ
These Music Festivals Will Rock New Jersey This Summer
Feel the Beat at These Freestyle Concerts
