can anyone help me find a good place to buy records, cds, rare recordings, etc. in the chicago area. i've familiar with some places in lakeview and hyde park but no luck so far finding anything too interesting. i would love to find a place that has lots of videos and live recordings (of the frowned upon style), preferrably downtown or in lakeview. anyone know anything?

There used to be a cool wrecka stow on Clark Street near Lincoln Park that had lots of nice treasures, but it went out of business. There is another one on Clark Street called Hi-Fi Records that sometimes has a surprise or two, but it's hit or miss. Evil Clown is my fave record store on average, though - it's on Halstead near Roscoe. Reckless is cool, and it's cheaper usually, but the folks at Evil Clown seem more knowledgeable and no-nonsense about the music they stock.

Anxiety said:

Thanks. i have heard about evil clown but didn't know where it was...now i do! also, just a tip, i dropped off a few prince boots at hi-fi a few weeks ago and now they are in the prince rack...some good ones too, like the dream factory double disc set...i forget what else but they are all out on the shelves now if you're interested.

i forget the one...

get off on the Belmont El Train stop and walk towards the water. about 3 blocks down, take a right (about 2-3 blocks from the water. it is a pretty busy street with some other stores and eateries there. it is about the third store down on the left side of the street. i forget what it is called and forget the street.

best used record store i have ever been in though besides Tunes in Marlton, NJ. www.tunescds.com.

chemmie said:

I know that one! I cant remember the name either but it's cool. But the one I usually shop at is downtown, on State, just off Harrison, across the street from the Harold Washington Library. It's in the Music Mart building and it's called the Crow's Nest. It has two floors of music, a pretty good selection, and a bit cheaper than Tower Records, located on Wabash and Adams (right at the Green Line stop Adams & Wabash). Tower's cool too, cause it's also huge and it has a good selection of stuff. But first, try Crow's nest.

I hope this is helpful.

There a couple I know about..

1st, Rolling Stone in Norridge off Harlem Ave. A very popular and very well-known shop. They used to carry much more Prince stuff, but not so much anymore. However, their prices are great...cheaper than anywhere. Great mirage on the roof.

There's also a great record store in Evanston that I think is on Lake St off Ridge. They specialize in hard-to-find vinyl. But they also have an interesting selection of CDs too. I can't remember the name of the place but do a search on yahoo for vinyl record shops in Evanston and it will be there.

thank you all many times! i need a good few days of record shopping beore school starts! and i mean wreckas! my record player will be here shortly!

I order stuff from dusty groove and Supreme off of Damen is pretty good too.

Reckless records...close to the corner of Belmont and Clark

Hep cat- Deerfield, IL North Shore suburb

Vintage Vinyl - in Evanston

Tower Records - Clark and Beldon

Obviously the Virgin Mega Store on Michigan Ave

Rollingstone Records - In Norridge...not far from HIP (Highland Irving Plaza)

Go up and down clark street especially on the north side of the city there are alot of record shops mostly used stuff and some vinyl but I have found a coupl of things in them before.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Yeah, huge store, huge stock, and WAY TOO HUGE prices! I don't go there any more, but its cool, though. For the rich Gold Coast Chicagoans, I guess.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

THATS THE ONE! I knew it was off of Belmont! I used to live off Belmont, down near Shubas and this was the place. There is a CD Warehouse down near the Punkin Donuts/The Alley that isnt too bad either.

imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty said:

You are familiar with Hyde Park... did you try Dr. Wax? They have alot of old and new stuff. I go there when I'm looking for classic vinyl. Also Coops on 47th & Lake Park. If they don't have it, they'll get it for you!

In Downtown Chicago, I like to go to Rock Records on Randolph between Wells and LaSalle. It's not far from where I work. They have specials on Tuesdays and there are always $2 off coupons for them in The Reader. They are alot cheaper than the big chain wrecka stows! I never go to Tower or Coconuts and I wouldn't set foot in the Virgin Mega Store on North Michigan!

RedZRyder said:

thanks redz!

by the way...LOVED you on Live at the Aladdin!

imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty said:

He! He! He!

Thank you!

imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty said:

jason...the store that used to have all the videos was
one around 26 and clark street. it was called VIDEO BEAT.
(i think they lost their rent space)
they're an online store now.

they were similar to DR. Wax and 2nd hand tunes.

RZr is right. Rock records is pretty good.

youngca