What goes around comes around. After years of gathering dust, vinyl records are back in vogue—and West Virginia is teeming with record shops filled with vinyl, old and new.
Admiral Analog’s Audio Assortment (and Oddities), Shepherdstown
When it opened in 2014, Admiral Analog’s became the first record store in Shepherdstown in nearly two decades. It features an eclectic vinyl selection, plus stereo equipment, vintage video games, and music shirts and posters. 133½ West German Street 301.491.6050
Now Hear This, Huntington
Now Hear This caters to Huntington’s music lovers with a stockpile of some 50,000 records, plus CDs, DVDs, record players, and more. It’s less than two blocks from the campus of Marshall University, so you’re likely to find yourself sifting through the stacks with an off-duty college student or two. 1454 4th Avenue, 304.522.0021
Budget Tapes and Records, Charleston
Budget is a Charleston landmark. The store opened in 1972 and has been supplying Charlestonians with music—plus clothing, incense, and jewelry—ever since. Stepping inside is a little like stepping back into the 1970s, the perfect setting for browsing vinyl. 3708 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast 304.925.8273, budgettapeswv.com
Sullivan’s Records, Charleston
Sullivan’s is the new kid on Charleston’s music scene. Since it opened in spring 2013 it’s become a staple for local audiophiles, beloved for its large, varied collection of records and its music-geek vibe. The shop mostly sticks to records and CDs so you don’t get distracted while digging for the perfect record. 1588-A Washington Street East 304.344.4355, facebook.com/sullivansrecords
Solar Mountain Records, Keyser
With some 30,000 records in the brick-and-mortar store and thousands more for sale online, Solar Mountain has an impressively large and varied selection. Every genre and decade is represented, so if you’re searching for something weird, rare, or super specific, this is the place to go. 21 Armstrong Street, 304.788.1055
The Sound Exchange, Parkersburg
The Sound Exchange has been supplying the Mid-Ohio Valley with new and used music for two decades. Can’t find what you’re looking for? They’ll order it for you for free and get it to you fast. Sick of all your CDs? Trade them in for store credit and pick out something new. 3417 Murdoch Avenue, 304.422.2323
Words & Music, Wheeling
More than two decades ago, Alan Lestini spotted an empty storefront and decided it was time to realize his longtime dream of opening a bookstore. The business eventually outgrew that original location, and the inventory has grown, too. The shop still has a top-notch selection of books, as well as art, CDs, and a sizeable selection of vinyl LPs. 4 Hyde Park Drive, 304.232.6539, facebook.com/whgwordsmusic
Assumption Records, Rivesville
Owners Noelle and Patrick Kolb first started selling records online but in 2014 made the jump to a brick-and-mortar location, setting up their shop in a former church. Assumption features a robust collection of rock, country, and hip-hop records. And they’re all priced to sell. 207 Clayton Street, 304.278.2408, needleknows.musicstack.com
written by Shay Maunz | photographed by Nikki Bowman
Leave a Reply