As a Gen Xer, I spent many hours sorting through piles of records at Goodwill, looking for pretty much anything other than Herb Alpert. Over the years I’ve participated in the shift from cassettes to CDs to online streaming. I have boxes packed away of CDs, a few cassettes that weren’t played to death, and shelves of records that get more attention than any of the others (except Spotify, which appeases my inconsistent musical tastes).
If you love the crackle of vinyl, the the liner notes that you can’t get with online streaming, and the tangibility of record grooves, you are not alone. According to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl records are expected to out-sell CDs in 2019. Streaming is still the most popular way to listen to music, but CDs seem to be going the way of the, well, record.
Love the hunt? Area thrift stores have a few, but the choices are slim. We have a few good options for vinyl buying in Matthews, two of which hold the inexplicable record store experience: Noble Records and Precious Restorations. Both have record bins with just enough organization so you don’t feel lost, but not so much to feel invasive to rifle through, that distinctive, familiar smell of cardboard sleeves.
The third option, 2nd and Charles (9903 Independence Blvd), deserves a mention but lacks the feeling of an authentic, independent record shop. The bins are well-organized but really stuffed, which means browsing is a challenge. There’s a big selection of newer, unopened records, but there’s also a lot of distractions (aisles of collectible toys, waterbottles, and nicknacks). Both my husband and I thought it felt like Media Play; corporate and big boxy. Plus, for a chain store, the prices are too high.
Noble Records (11500 unit F, E Independence Blvd) opened in the same strip where Radio Shack used to be, just off Independence next to South 21. Bonus: get lunch then record shopping without moving your car. Started in 2010 under a different name, Dillon Smith, the owner, was a record collector on his own hunt, rescuing records from basements, attics, closets, and garages. When his son Noble was born, Dillon sold off his collection to pay for family medical needs. Now, as a brick and mortar, this is the place to go to find valuable collector’s editions, a little bit of newer stuff, some metal, reggae, punk, and lots of great classics. With the record shop as his full-time job, the flexibility of small business ownership allows Dillon more time to be with his family. There’s a turntable to listen before you buy, and gift cards are available as an option for the I-have-no-idea-what-music-they-like relative.
Precious Restorations (315 W John St) owner, Jack Marble, has an eye for the nostalgic, stocking his shop with wares that call you into their depths with the promise of an amazing find. If you can pull yourself away from the collectibles, make your way to the record bins, ready for digging. Easy enough to thumb through, the bins are filled with an eclectic variety of music. Classic country, 80s rock, and the classics (Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys, ZZ Top) fill rows of bins; the records are well-preserved and in protective sleeves. You’re not digging through 12 copies of Whipped Cream or an old Debbie Gibson that look like it was someone’s frisbee. He often has turntables and stereo equipment, if you don’t already have a record player. The prices are fair, and your dollars support a locally-owned small business.
Dig out that dusty old turntable from the attic and take an afternoon to browse the local record shops. No longer a pastime, vinyl has taken hold right here in Matthews. If Jack and Dillon have anything to do with it, this time it’s here to stay.
