Like legendary concert venues, record stores are small pieces of music history. They offer a glimpse into the musical heritage of the neighborhoods and cities around them. Musical dreams are often born in these stores. Many of these shops are still quintessential parts of their local music scene. New record stores are popping up all over with the recent vinyl resurgence we’re seeing. However, some record stores were able to stand the test of time and survive the shift to digital music. These record stores have cemented themselves as more than just a place to buy music. These shops are living pieces of American musical heritage. Below are 10 of the oldest record stores in the United States that are still open today.
George’s Song Shop – Johnstown, PA
George’s Song Shop claims to be the oldest record store in the United States, and this just might be the case. First opened in Johnstown, PA in 1932 in the first floor of a department store, the store has been continuously open ever since. This isn’t just some little novelty shop, the selection of records is as impressive as you will find anywhere. Old and new records can be found here as well as CD’s and cassette tapes. One of the more unique aspects of this shop is its impressive selection of 7’ records. George’s Song Shop provides the old-timey feel one would expect. The shop offers a glimpse into what record stores would have been like before the golden age of record stores in the 1980’s that most people are familiar with.
George’s Song Shop is located at 128 Market Street, Johnstown, PA.
Music Country – Cliffside Park, NJ
New York City and the Tri-state area in general has a heritage of musical excellence that needs no introduction. With hundreds of record stores in the area, only one is able to make the claim as the oldest. Music Country in Cliffside Park, NJ first opened its doors in 1934, making it just a couple years younger than the supposed oldest shop on this list. However, Music Country does have a slight edge over its competitor. The store has stayed open in the same location for all 90 years of the shop’s existence.
Originally named Taliaferro Radio & Electric, the shop was eventually handed down to Joan Demarest, the daughter of one of the shop’s original founders. Since the 1980’s the store has been known as Music Country and continues to be a local music staple. Music country sells all manner of physical music, instruments and Hi-Fi equipment to local residents. Located just across the Hudson River from NYC, this shop is well worth the hard slog across the George Washington Bridge next time you’re in the Big Apple.
Music Country is located at 728 Anderson Ave, Cliffside Park, NJ
Rhineharts Music and Video – Kirksville, NJ
There is more than one record store that claims to be the oldest in the United States. Rhineharts Music and Video is another making this claim, and they might be the ones most worthy of the title. The store has been continuously open since 1861 and has been selling records since 1897. Granted, the shop dips its toes into all kinds of media and collectibles. Records, DVD’s, VHS, CD’s , cassettes, vintage video games and more adorn the shelves.
Even though it doesn’t exclusively sell records, it is still worth checking out if you are nearby. Although most people think of Nashville, New York City or Detroit when discussing American Music heritage, rural areas like Kirksville, Missouri are just as important to American music culture and have their own unique musical identities worth exploring. This shop is a living time machine. Should you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, it is well worth the stop.
Rhineharts Music and Video is located at 114 S Franklin St, Kirksville, MO
Casa Amadeo – Bronx, NY
While many of the record stores on this list have stood the test of time by adapting to the local music scene and stocking their store with all that is trending, Casa Amadeo owes its success to its commitments to the shop’s latin roots.
The East Harlem record store was originally opened as Casa Hernandez in 1927. The store quickly became a meeting place for musicians in the booming Latin music scene in the Bronx over the next several decades. The store’s owners would act as middlemen between aspiring musicians and record labels who were constantly on the lookout for potential touring and studio musicians as Latin music continued to grow in the area. Shops like Casa Amadeo were essential to the development of many Latin music styles over the years. Today, the shop keeps this legacy of Latin music alive, stocking tons of Latin artists on its shelves. If you are in the lookout for record stores with unique selections, this should be high on your list.
Casa Amadeo is located at 786 Prospect Ave, Bronx, NY
Music Inn World Instruments – New York, New York
Although it is not exclusively a record store, Music Inn World Instruments is one of the oldest record shops in New York City, having first opened its doors to music lovers in 1958. The store is practically a music museum at this point. Tons of unique instruments are for sale here in addition to rows of records. Even if you’re not the biggest record collector in the world, anyone who appreciates music should check this place out given the opportunity. Guitars, banjos, and all manner of stringed instruments line every inch of space. The shop still hosts live events like poetry readings, open mic nights and more every week. Music lovers should do their best to pop in for an old school NYC experience.
Music Inn World Instruments is located at 169 West 4th St, New York, New York.
Canterbury Records – Pasadena, CA
Just like New York City, Los Angeles has a rich and unique musical history that can still be felt today. Richie Valens and the Chicano rock movement. The magic of the Sunset Strip in the 1960’s. The punk and hardcore scene of the 1970’s. You get the picture. Pasadena’s Canterbury Records were there for all of this and more. Tucked away on a side street off of Pasadenas happening Colorado Blvd, Canterbury Records is the oldest remaining record store in Los Angeles and possibly the oldest remaining record shop on the West Coast. First opened in 1956, the shop has been a pillar of the local music scene ever since. The shop is still family owned to this day and manages to maintain its old-school tinsel town charm.
Canterbury Records is located at 805 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Del Bravo Record Store – San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, Texas is home to the oldest and possibly coolest record store in the state. While most record stores lean into a classic rock aesthetic, Del Bravo’s intensely western vibe is incredibly refreshing. First opened in 1966, Del Bravo is well known amongst vinyl collectors all over the country. The store perfectly encapsulates the spirit of old San Antonio and the neighborhood it’s in, which was recently declared a cultural heritage district by the city of San Antonio. Del Bravo Record store is an essential record store in the southwest and a quintessential American record store. The selection is exactly what you would hope for: rows and rows of old school country and folk music.
Del Bravo Record Store is located at 554 Historic, W Hwy 90, San Antonio, TX
Music Millennium – Portland, OR
It only makes sense that a city known for its hipsters above all else has a record store as great as Music Millennium. First opened in 1969, Music Millennium is the oldest record store in the state of Oregon and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest as a whole. Music Millennium is a true neighborhood record store. Originally, the store focused on stocking underground records that were not available in the large commercial record stores of the 70’s and 80’s and keeps this spirit alive today. While they still stay true to their roots, Music Millenium now stocks all manner of physical music, new and old. Next time you’re in Portland, be sure to grab some records or catch one of their impressive live performances.
Music Millennium is located at 3158 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
Out of the Past Records – Chicago, IL
Chicago has a rich musical history and the aptly named Out of the Past Records acts as a living museum to this. The original family that opened the store in 1969 remain the owners to this day. This store is a digger’s paradise like no other. With only minimal organization, treasure is hidden throughout the store’s densely packed shelves. Even as the neighborhood continues to change the owners refuse to compromise and offer the very best the world of physical music has to offer, just like they always have. This might not be the best place to find the latest records, but it is one of the best places for true crate-digging in the entire country.
Out of the Past Records is located at 4407 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Ernest Tubb Record Shop – Nashville, TN
It would be a disservice to American music to not include the oldest shop in Nashville, Tennessee on this list, a city whose impact on American music needs no introduction. There’s plenty of fantastic record stores in Nashville but only one can claim to be the oldest. Ernest Tubb Record shop sold its first record way back in 1947. Since then, the store has gone through a handful of changes, first a change of location and more recently a change of ownership after the store initially looked like closing its doors a few years back. However, the store is due to reopen soon after some major renovations. Ernest Tubb Record Shop is as rich in history as any record store and should be on the bucket list of vinyl collectors everywhere.
Ernest Tubb Record Shop is located at 417 Broadway, Nashville, TN