I hate to say it, but The Gump is in a bit of a slump when it comes to vinyl wares.
While you might love to walk into an indie record shop and get some knowledge and recommendations from the staff, The Gump’s local shops have all closed their doors in recent years.
So, if you’re looking for a record store near you in Montgomery, you’re going to have to settle for chains with limited selections.
New & Used Vinyl Record Shops Near Montgomery, AL
Here are the record shops in (and around) Montgomery where you can check out and buy new and secondhand vinyl (along with some other stuff):
Books-A-Million
The Shoppes at Eastchase7074 Eastchase Pkwy
Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 273-4679
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Loot:
- New Records
- CDs
Game X Change
5350 Atlanta Hwy, AMontgomery, AL 36109
(334) 593-7713
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday: Noon – 6 pm
Loot:
- Used Vinyl Records
- Turntables
- Instruments
Record Shops FAQs
Do record stores really just sell records?
Not usually, no.
While record stores are mostly thought of as vinyl stores, and the good ones do carry plenty of records (that’s how they get their names), most record stores do sell other things.
Along with music on vinyl, they may sell CDs, DVDs, limited edition box set, music and movie collectibles, and sometimes even gear, like amps and cords.
Record shops that sell exclusively records are rare and usually smaller shops with less overhead.
Can you sample records at record stores?
Often, yes, but not always.
It’s really up to the store owners.
Since record stores run the gamut from very small hole-in-the-wall set-ups to square-footage gobblers, the means of sampling may also be quite different.
Larger stores with bigger budgets often have digital samplers, where you can listen to their inventory on a pre-loaded console.
Smaller stores with smaller budgets may just have a few turntables on hand, while some record shops have no means of testing a record out before you buy.
(Though, as long as it’s unsealed, you can still check the record for scratches and damage.)
Where else can I buy records?
While we’ve focused on local record shops for our list (and would love for you to choose them!), you do have a few other options for your vinyl purchases.
Many major retailers carry a limited selection of vinyl records these days (trying to capitalize on the format’s resurgence).
Some stores that carry vinyl include Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon & Wal-Mart.
Do record shops have CDs?
A lot of them do.
And, as digital downloads take over and CDs fall by the wayside, they will likely be one of the last places left that will carry them.
At least until CDs resurge in 20 or 30 years.