There’s a unique thrill that comes from finding a vinyl that’s been missing from your collection. North Jersey is filled with some excellent record shops where you can flip through the albums and bring home a treasure. Not sure where to start? Keep reading for our roundup of the best record stores in Hoboken, Jersey City + beyond.
Hoboken
Revival Vintage Boutique | Corner Storefront, 86 Park Avenue
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This vibrant vintage shop sells clothing and vinyl records so it’s a great place to live out all kinds of vintage dreams. The store is open from 12PM-6PM every day but Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s closed on Tuesdays and open from 3PM-8PM on Thursdays. If you are a Tuesday shopper, contact the store at revivalvintageboutique@gmail.com to make an appointment.
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Tunes | 225 Washington Street
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Tunes is the place to buy, sell, and trade records in Hoboken. This is a favorite with media collectors of all kinds because Tunes also dabbles in CDs, DVDs, video games, iPods, and more. Tunes take preorders for new releases on the website. Keep an eye on the calendar for news about upcoming events like the annual Record Store Day and Black Friday deals.
Jersey City
Rhythm Central | 511 Central Avenue
Rhythm Central has been part of the Jersey City Heights community for almost nine years. This shop offers a wide selection of genres at affordable prices, but it specializes in jazz, Latin, rock, soul, salsa, and disco. Anyone who wants to sell new or used CDs, records, or DVDs can bring these to Rhythm Central to see what they’ll take.
Rabble + Lion Coffee | 156 Brunswick Street
Rabble + Lion opened a storefront in Jersey City in late 2021 after being a regular vendor at the Van Vorst Park and Hamilton Park Farmers Markets. Patrons can browse the bins while they wait for their brews, which isn’t the worst way to pass the time. The shop doesn’t have the biggest selection but there are deals to be found. We recently stopped by and bought two records in excellent condition for only $5 each. Plus, we love that the records are labeled with a sticker that points out the most popular songs on the album.
North Jersey
Almost Ready Records | 537 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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This Brooklyn-based brick-and-mortar shop has since planted roots right here in North Jersey. The store can be found at 537 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. The shop is home to Last Laugh Records and Mighty Mouth Music — as well as its own brand, Almost Ready Records. Genres like punk, indie, and rock can be found here.
BB’s Records | 24 South Front Street, Bergenfield
Lifelong music lover Bob Schmelz opened BB’s Records because he wanted a place to turn his hobby into a career. The vinyls are stored in colorful milk crates and the knowledgeable staff can help customers find the perfect record to add to their collections. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Factory Records Shop | 158 West Clinton Street, Dover
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Factory Records has a massive warehouse feel with hundreds — if not thousands — of vinyls to flip through. It’s located in a 1938 picture frame factory and even has a lounge where visitors can relax with a coffee and listen to live music. In addition to the excellent vinyl selection that changes frequently, there’s an in-house repair specialist if any of your personal audio equipment needs some maintenance.
Music Country | 728 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park
This store began life as Taliaferro Radio + Electric in 1934. It is now said to be the oldest record store in the New York tri-state area, and possibly the entire US, and has been owned by the same family for over 80 years. Visiting this shop is a bit of an adventure — it’s a solid hit of nostalgia and a treasure hunt all in one, since the store stocks vinyl records, musical instruments, collectibles, and a little bit of everything.
Sweet Vinyl Cafe | 23 Diamond Spring Road, Denville
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Part record store, part dessert shop, Sweet Vinyl Cafe is a welcoming community space founded by music journalist Adam Budofsky. It’s the perfect place for music lovers to connect and browse new vinyl or check out a local artist. It’s open Tuesday to Friday from 8AM to 6PM, Saturday from 9AM to 10PM, and Sunday from 9AM to 5PM.
Scotti’s Record Shop | 351 Springfield Avenue, Summit
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Scotti’s Record Shop opened in 1956 and follows the motto “all things vinyl.” The shop has 1000s of records and CDs in every genre. There’s even a discount bin if you’re looking for a bargain. It’s open seven days a week and it’s a good place to sell vinyl records, working turntables, instruments, sheet music, and memorabilia that are in good condition.
Sound Exchange | 1482 NJ-23, Wayne
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This sprawling record store in the Foodtown Packanack Shopping Center buys, sells, and trades records, tapes, and CDs. It’s open Monday to Saturday 10AM to 6PM and Sunday 11AM to 5PM. Keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram page to get an idea of the current selection.
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Vinyl Addiction Records | 7 Ridge Road, North Arlington
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Founder Dave Galgano has a lifelong passion for vinyl records. He used his passion and opened up shop in North Arlington with various vinyls available. Customers can buy, sell, and trade records here. There is an online form here to reach out in terms of vinyl record selling. Some of the genres accepted include jazz, metal, punk, and classic rock, among others.
