No one could have predicted it 20 years ago, but vinyl LP record albums now outsell CDs by a healthy margin. LP sales first topped CD sales in 2022 and the gap has gotten even wider since. That’s driven an increase in the number of Grand Rapids shops selling old and new vinyl records – there are more places to shop for vinyl today than there has been in many years.

In honor of Record Store Day (April 18, 2026), we asked our social media followers to recommend their favorite local vinyl shops. Here they are, in order of most mentions:

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You can find more than 26,000 new records and around 10,000 used records at Vertigo Music.

Photo by Holly Kell For Experience GR

Vertigo Music

129 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Located downtown, Vertigo Music   offers one of the largest selections of vinyl in the area. The store carries more than 25,000 new LPs, all priced cheaper than regular retail, and around 10,000 used records of all genres and styles. Some of the most popular genres of records Vertigo sells are metal, punk, hip-hop, jazz, folk, and indie.

Vertigo Music buys used vinyl, and their staff is a great resource for new and new-to-you artist and label recommendations. They also sell CDs, cassettes, DVDs, books, apparel, posters and music gear – including record turntables, replacement needles and speakers. It’s open every day to satisfy your music fix.

The image shows a collection of vinyl records in a record store, with a person's hands browsing through the selection, which includes a record labeled "Radio Free Europe".
A vibrant and eclectic record store with a colorful wall display of album covers, framed artwork, and various merchandise, showcasing a diverse collection of music and art.

In addition to vinyl records, Corner Record Shop also sells equipment such as record players, replacement needles, and speakers.

Photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR

The Corner Record Shop

2928 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville, MI 49418

The Corner Record Shop  carries a massive selection of new and used records. “Tens and tens of thousands,” was the best estimate an employee could give regarding the number of records for sale.

In addition to standard size 33 RPM records, The Corner Record Shop has more than 50,000 45 RPMs for sale. New and used CDs and cassettes are also available. Some of the most popular genres of music they have for sale are rock, jazz, R&B, and blues, and they’re expanding their selection of country and soundtrack records.

The Corner Record Shop also has many needles, belts, idlers and other parts on hand for record players. Need your turntable repaired? Their technician is happy to take a look. The store is open Monday-Saturday.

Vinyl Alchemy

1505 Wealthy St. SE, Suite 1507, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Located in the same building as the iconic Yesterdog  restaurant in Eastown, Vinyl Alchemy  sells new and used vinyl records, CDs, memorabilia, pop culture collectibles, signed concert posters and more.

The name of the store refers to the medieval discipline that sought to turn base metals into gold. Vinyl Alchemy is dedicated to helping customers find the “gold” that musicians and artists have endeavored to create.

Visitors will find a wide variety of music genres represented in the vinyl record bins and there’s a cozy listening nook to sample your selection before buying. There’s always cool music playing in the background and the friendly, knowledgeable staff – including owner Kevin Romanyk – loves to talk music.

Check the Vinyl Alchemy Facebook page for new releases, fun finds and special in-store events. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Backwards Compatible

2024 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Opened on Halloween Day in 2025, Backwards Compatible is a self-described “underground media culture store” selling vintage vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, video games, band t-shirts and more.

Owner Brandon Hill, a longtime record collector and drummer for a local grindcore band, curates the store selection to focus on alternate music genres and collectors’ items, including records from around the world. He loves to help customers discover new-to-them treasures.

The store offers resale, trade-ins and free appraisals, and also hosts small concerts in its 1,000 sq. ft. space. Backwards Compatible is located in the Alger Heights neighborhood in southeast Grand Rapids. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Boomtown Records

1809 Plainfield Ave NE, Suite A, Grand Rapids MI 49505

This “audiophile emporium” in the city’s Creston neighborhood buys and sells rare and unique vinyl records and well as CDs, cassettes and video games at affordable prices – some as low as $1. The store has more than 6,000 records in stock, and Japanese records are a specialty.

Boomtown Records carries a variety of music genres, with the biggest emphasis on rock – no surprise, given owner Ben Newstead’s uncle used to play bass for heavy metal band Metallica. Friendly and knowledgeable, Newstead is a great source of recommendations for new and long-time collectors. Boomtown is open Thursdays-Sundays.

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Explore a mix of jazz, old-school R&B, and hip hop vinyl at Della Soul Records, Grand Rapids' first Black woman-owned record shop.

Photo by Holly Kell for Experience GR

Della Soul Records

1220 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

The city’s first Black woman-owned record shop was opened by Della Marie Levi, aka DJ Della Soul, in fall of 2023. Della Soul Records  is a community hub, a place to buy vinyl records and unique gifts, and a space to enjoy intimate listening sessions with local artists.

The vinyl collection here favors jazz, urban adult contemporary, old-school R&B and hip hop, Motown and related genres. The space is comfortable and non-cluttered, with seating, a TV and the sounds of soft music in the background. The walls are lined with portraits of Black music icons and other artwork.

Follow Della Soul on Facebook to keep abreast of regular specials – such as $5 off all new vinyl records on Thursdays – and news of community events like the Storytellers series, which invites a community member to talk about their personal journey and how music influenced them.

Dodds’ selection covers all genres of albums from the 1930s to the ‘90s.

Dodds’ selection covers all genres of albums from the 1930s to the ‘90s.

Photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR

Dodds Record Shop

808 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

“Dodds is more than a record shop. It’s a museum of music and the history of pop culture,” owner Reverend Charles proudly states. Dodds opened in 1937, making it the oldest record shop in Michigan.

Dodds Record Shop  (aka Rev. Charles' Museum of Music and Memorabilia) has approximately 80,000 used LPs and 45s for sale, in addition to the Reverend’s personal collection of nearly 500 factory sealed LPs from the ‘80s. Dodds’ selection covers all genres of albums from the 1930s to the ‘90s.

When previous and long-time owner Gerry Dodds was asked by current owner Reverend Charles about the new idea of Record Store Day in 2010, he looked at Charles and said, “Son, every day at Dodds is Record Store Day.”

Dodds Record Shop is open select weekends – check its website or call 616.536.1951 for the schedule. It’s always open on Record Store Day!

The Full Circle Record Shop

2660 28th St SE, Suite G, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Located on the west side of the Schuler Books building, not far from Woodland Mall, The Full Circle Record Shop buys and sells vinyl LPs and 45s as well as CDs. You’ll find a deep selection of classic rock here, in addition to a growing inventory of other genres.

Each month, the store features a unique stereo system from next-door neighbor Misfitz Audio, which sells and services used and vintage stereo equipment. The Full Circle Record Shop is open Monday-Saturday.

Honorable Mention

While it’s not a record store, Bring Back Analog (2240 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508) is cherished by local music lovers. The shop buys, sells and repairs turntables, cassette decks, amplifiers, receivers, speakers and more. If your audio equipment is not working right, bring it in for a quick tune-up or full repair. Open Wednesday-Saturday and by appointment on Tuesday.

Many of the shops featured here participate in Record Store Day every year, offering exclusive vinyl releases, special discounts and fun prizes as well as hosting live music and DJs. Check the websites for each location to see what they have planned for 2026.

Check out our reel from Record Store Day, where we explored some of the area's record stores!