Every town deserves a record store. Even if that town already has a record store and is really more of a suburb of a city that has a boatload of record stores. B-Sides Records and Vintage in Milwaukie is the newest record store to open in PDX and is a great addition to a scene that is overflowing with great record stores.
What to Expect
B-Sides Records and Vintage is located on Main St. in downtown Milwaukie. Right in the middle of it, this is a great shop to check out if you’re visiting the new and shiny Pfriem brewery across the street or are in a vinyl mood after getting some cocktails at the Hi-fi themed Decibel Sound and Drink.
While Milwaukie is technically a suburb of Portland, downtown Milwaukie feels more like an extension of Portland. It’s not until you get another mile south from Main Street that you will find yourself in Anytown USA, with Portland’s weirdness in the rearview mirror. Recently, the neighborhood has undergone a bit of a revitalization, and shops like B-Sides, Spoke and Word Books, and Made in Milwaukie are adding some much-needed personality to the area.
I hesitated to go in here when it first opened. Generally, I avoid shopping for records at places that don’t specialize in records, like vintage and thrift shops. It’s nothing personal, well, maybe it is.
Maybe it has something to do with the often absurd prices on the most common and damaged records. Or maybe it’s because of the poor selection and willy-nilly grading system that these stores use. Or maybe it’s because I already own plenty of ACDC and Elvis records, and I really don’t need any more. It seems that only around 5% of thrift stores that also have the word “record” in their name ACTUALLY have a selection worth shopping.
B-sides Records and Vintage is a part of this 5%.
This is a rare store that feels opposite the norm. Instead of a thrift store with a few records forgotten in the back, this feels more like a record store with a bunch of vintage home goods and jewelry decorating the walls. To be fair, this is really two indoor spaces inside of one. One room houses the record collection and all things music-related, and the thrifty part of the store makes up the other room.
Selection at B-Sides Records and Vintage
The selection of records here is on the smaller side, but the store makes up for it in quality. There are plenty of larger record stores in Portland for people who really like to spend hours digging. But if you’re like me and have a mental list of items you’re looking for, this shop will deliver.
Most used records her with an emphasis on rock and music from the 70s and 80s. No surprises there. BUT, whoever the kind individual is that is doing the record buying here is not completely tone deaf to modern music. There was a solid mix of new records from a variety of artists here, so not a place to avoid if you collect more modern music. Besides the main pop section, there are small bins of the usual suspects, too: country, hip-hop, jazz, and so forth.
Prices at B-Sides Records and Vintage
There are a ton of record stores in Portland; I’ve written about it extensively. With so many record stores available, you simply can’t get away with overcharging for records for very long. Say what you will about Discogs and all its negative impact on the industry, it has standardized used record pricing to a certain extent, making it hard for shady store owners to rip off unsuspecting customers.
So, yes, the pricing at B-sides Records and Vintage is totally fair. With that being said, prices are generally above $15 for records here. There are some budget records, but for the most part, this store leads with quality over quantity. Expect desirable records in good condition at reasonable prices.
My Thoughts B-Sides
B-Sides is a great addition to downtown Milwaukie. It’s a really solid record store with plenty of interesting stuff on its shelves on any given day. If you live in the area, this is worth a look for becoming your new weekly or daily check of the new arrivals section. If you don’t live in the area, it’s still worth a stop. Milwaukie might not be the sexiest neighborhood in Portland, but it’s got a lot of heart and you can see the river. What more could you want?
Records Purchased
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Soundtrack – Ennio Morricone
Address
10801 SE Main St, Milwaukie, OR 97222